Skip to content
WORDS, MADE CLEAR.
Your everyday English companion

English dictionary

curling Meaning & Definition

ˈkər-liŋ

What Does Curling Mean?

Curling is used as a noun meaning a game in which two teams of four players each slide curling stones over a stretch of ice toward a target circle. As a verb, it means to form into coils or ringlets.

Curling: Key Facts

Part of speechnoun, verb
Pronunciation/ˈkər-liŋ/
Syllables2
Synonymsmoving, curly and curled
Antonymsstraight, straightaway and direct
Pluralcurlings

Curling Definition (Noun)

  1. a game in which two teams of four players each slide curling stones over a stretch of ice toward a target circle

Curling as a Verb

  1. to form into coils or ringlets

    curl one's hair

  2. to form into a curved shape : twist

    curled his lip in a sneer

  3. to furnish with curls
  4. to grow in coils or spirals
  5. to form ripples or crinkles

    bacon curling in a pan

  6. to move or progress in curves or spirals : wind

    the path curled along the mountainside

  7. twist, contort
  8. to play the game of curling

Synonyms of Curling

Curling synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Curling

Curling in a Sentence

curlings of smoke

a scornful curling of the lip

I curl at my local club every weekend.

curl one's hair

curled his lip in a sneer

bacon curling in a pan

the path curled along the mountainside

a curling labyrinth designed to discourage grave robbers from ever finding the inner burial chamber

an inviting path for joggers curls around the reservoir

Word Forms & Grammar

curling

curlings

curled

curl·ing

curls

curl

curling (countable and uncountable, plural curlings)

curling (comparative more curling, superlative most curling)

Words That Rhyme With Curling

Origin of Curling

Middle English, from crul curly, probably from Middle Dutch; akin to Old High German krol curly

First Known Use

1620

14th centuryt

Pronouncing Curling

Curling is pronounced /ˈkər-liŋ/ and has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (kər).

Curling: Your Questions Answered

Is curling a noun or a verb?

Curling is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is another word for curling?

Words with a similar meaning to curling include moving, curly and curled. See the full list of curling synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of curling?

Words opposite in meaning to curling are straight, straightaway, direct and linear.

What is the plural of curling?

The plural of curling is curlings.

More About Curling On Meaning Stash

More Words Starting With “Curl”

Trending On Meaning Stash This Week

Merriam-WebsterReference content from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary and Collegiate® Thesaurus © Merriam-Webster Inc.Data credits & licensing