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noun Uncommon

curvature

KURR-vuh-chuhr

Curvature (noun) means the degree or amount to which something curves or bends. Example: “The doctor noted an abnormal curvature of his spine.”

noun
1
The degree or amount to which something curves or bends.
"The doctor noted an abnormal curvature of his spine."
"Engineers calculated the curvature of the new bridge deck."

How to use curvature

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow much something is bent or curved, especially measured in a technical or medical sense.

Common pairings
spinal curvature curvature of the earth

Word forms

curvatures plural

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The doctor noted an abnormal _____ of his spine.

Etymology

From Latin curvatura, from curvare, "to bend" — related to curve.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for curvature

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Frequently asked questions

What does “curvature” mean?

The word “curvature” means the degree or amount to which something curves or bends. In plain terms, how much something is bent or curved, especially measured in a technical or medical sense.

How do you pronounce “curvature”?

“Curvature” is pronounced KURR-vuh-chuhr (/ˈkɜɹ.və.tʃəɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “curvature” in a sentence?

Here is “curvature” used in a sentence: “The doctor noted an abnormal curvature of his spine.”

What part of speech is “curvature”?

“Curvature” is a noun.

Where does the word “curvature” come from?

The word “curvature” comes from Latin. From Latin curvatura, from curvare, "to bend" — related to curve.

Is “curvature” a common word?

“Curvature” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial