winding
Winding (adj) means curving and twisting repeatedly, rather than running straight. Example: “A winding path led up through the woods to the summit.”
How to use winding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCurvy and twisty (for roads, rivers, staircases), or a coil of wire in electrical equipment.
Word forms
more winding comparative, more winding comparative, windings plural, windings plural, Windings plural, most winding superlative, most winding superlative
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Can you complete this real example?
A _____ path led up through the woods to the summit.
Etymology
The noun is derived from Middle English winding, windinge, wyndynge (“act of exposing something to the wind, airing, ventilating; act of winnowing (?)”), from winden, wynden (“to expose (something) to the air or wind, ventilate; to cause (someone) to be out of breath; to winnow (wheat); of an animal: to catch the scent of (someone or something)”) + -ing, -inge (suffix forming gerund nouns, and the present participle forms of verbs). The adjective is derived from the verb. The English word is analysable as wind (“to blow air through (a wind instrument or horn) to make a sound; to cause (someone) to become breathless; to winnow (food grain), etc.”) + -ing (suffix forming present participial adjectives and verbs, and nouns denoting an action or the embodiment of an action).
Related words
Rhymes for winding
See all rhymes for winding →Frequently asked questions
What does “winding” mean?
The word “winding” means curving and twisting repeatedly, rather than running straight. In plain terms, curvy and twisty (for roads, rivers, staircases), or a coil of wire in electrical equipment.
How do you pronounce “winding”?
“Winding” is pronounced WIHN-dihng (/ˈwɪndɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “winding” in a sentence?
Here is “winding” used in a sentence: “A winding path led up through the woods to the summit.”
What part of speech is “winding”?
Depending on how it is used, “winding” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “winding” a common word?
“Winding” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “winding” have?
“Winding” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: curving and twisting repeatedly, rather than running straight.
What is the difference between winding and curving?
Winding describes something that curves and twists repeatedly, changing direction multiple times, such as a winding road through hills. Curving can refer to a single smooth bend, while winding implies a more complex, repeated pattern of turns.
What does winding mean in electrical engineering?
In electrical contexts, a winding is a noun referring to a coil of wire wrapped around a core, such as in a motor or transformer, used to generate or respond to a magnetic field. This is a technical use distinct from the adjective describing curving paths.
Can winding describe things other than roads?
Yes, winding can describe any path, river, or route that curves and twists repeatedly, such as a 'winding staircase' or a 'winding river,' not just roads.
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