tendril

noun

ten·​dril ˈten-drəl 

1

: a leaf, stipule, or stem modified into a slender spirally coiling sensitive organ serving to attach a climbing plant to its support

2

: something suggestive of a tendril

creeping tendrils of fog

tendriled adjective

or tendrilled

ˈten-drəld 

tendrilous

ˈten-drə-ləs 

adjective

Illustration of tendril

• tendril 1

Examples of tendril in a Sentence

A few tendrils of hair framed her face.

Recent Examples on the Web

The rest of the hair is then gathered into a small, pastry-like bun at the top of the head, with tendrils typically left out to frame the face or brush over one eye. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 13 Aug. 2026

The spores attach to the target insect, such as a carpenter ant, and germinate, spreading through the host’s body via long tendrils called mycelia. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

The Desperate Housewives alum wore her chestnut tresses in a ponytail with loose tendrils framing her face. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026

The pretty flowers and tendrils can withstand the hot days and thrive with six to eight hours of direct sun. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of Middle French tendron bud, cartilage, alteration of Old French tenrum, from Vulgar Latin *tenerumen, from Latin tener tender — more at tender entry 1

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tendril

noun

ten·​dril ˈten-drəl 

1

: a slender leafless winding stem by which some climbing plants fasten themselves to a support

2

: something that curls like a tendril

tendrils of hair