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

To finish, Gomez pulled out two slim tendrils to frame her face on either side. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 20 Mar. 2026

In lieu of a top, Suki Waterhouse wore two peacock feathers, designed by Tamara Ralph, rendered in gold crystal — the glittering tendrils just about protecting her modesty. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026

The teapot piece has pea tendril decor, which alludes to my favorite spring garden vegetable. —Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Lily Collins falls into the latter camp, her piecey, straight-across cut giving way to romantic tendrils. —Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 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