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

The herbal, bright-green paste with garlic, lemon juice, pepper, oil and herbs such as curly parsley and rosemary is a staple in Haitian cuisine. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Erica wore a strapless white gown and a curly updo, while Max kept it simple in a gray suit. — Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Breezy Shag Layers and bangs give curly hair a shag-like style. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026

Whisper fringe also gives curly hair a breezy, bohemian vibe when cut to match your curl pattern, adds the stylist. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 27 Sep. 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