curly

adjective

ˈkər-lē 

curlier; curliest

1

: tending to curl

also : having curls

curly hair

2

: having the grain composed of fibers that undulate without crossing and that often form alternating light and dark lines

curly maple

curliness noun

Synonyms of curly

• curled
• wavy

Examples of curly in a Sentence

She has curly hair and blue eyes.

The dog's tail is curly.

Recent Examples on the Web

His hair, growing out curly and CMBYN-coded for summer, added to the ’80s sports star vibe. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026

Fried sides are on point, with curly fries with togarashi ($5), waffle fries with herbs ($5), sweet potato fries with brown sugar and cayenne ($5) or just straight up shoestring fries ($5-7) or onion rings ($6), salted. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

However, not many haircuts caused as much pandemonium as the curly pixie that came on season 2 of the WB drama. — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

In any case, the scheme shaping the film’s stakes is introduced from the get-go, in a sultry opening credits scene where the camera glides over curly telephone cords and grasping hands in close-up. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing curly

• curly brace
• curly bracket
• curly-coated retriever
• curly endive
• curly top

Rhymes for curly

• burley
• burly
• girlie
• girly
• hurly
• pearly
• surly

Kids Definition

curly

adjective

ˈkər-lē 

curlier; curliest

: tending to curl

also : having curls

curly hair

curliness noun