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curlicue

1 of 2

noun

cur·​li·​cue ˈkər-lē-ˌkyü How to pronounce curlicue (audio)
-li-
variants or less commonly curlycue
Synonyms of curlicuenext
: a fancifully curved or spiral figure : flourish

curlicue

2 of 2

verb

curlicued; curlicuing

transitive verb

: to embellish with curlicues

Examples of curlicue in a Sentence

Noun Curlicues were carved into the wood.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
One image features a man stretching open his jacket collar to reveal intricate curlicues and radial lines extending from his Adam’s apple, like something bursting forth from within. Dawn Chan, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025 The accessory was designed in a bright pink tone with a curlicue element on the crown of the piece. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
Outside, winding paths through gardens and woods lead to site-specific installations, like Eleven Minute Line, a land-art piece by Maya Lin that curlicues through a field of cows. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2023 The cutwork curlicues, stars, and trees on the border of this runner definitely deliver the wow factor. Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for curlicue

Word History

Etymology

Noun

curly + cue a braid of hair

First Known Use

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1844, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of curlicue was in 1843

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curlicue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curlicue. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

curlicue

noun
curli·​cue
variants also curlycue
ˈkər-li-ˌkyü
: a fancifully curved or spiral figure (as a flourish in handwriting)

More from Merriam-Webster on curlicue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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