curl up

verb

curled up; curling up; curls up

intransitive verb

: to arrange oneself in or as if in a ball or curl

curl up by the fire

curl up with a good book

Synonyms of curl up

• snuggle
• snug
• nestle

Examples of curl up in a Sentence

I love to curl up in a big chair with a book.

Recent Examples on the Web

Spade curled up in a ball under falling debris, having lost sight of D’Allara, who was later confirmed dead. — ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026

Reading is usually a private experience, and there’s nothing like curling up in your favorite chair with a good book. — Adele Chapin, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026

This super comfy chair looks like the best place to curl up and read a book. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026

Use this set as pajamas during the night or on a lazy Saturday when curling up with a book sounds good. — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for curl up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

curl up

verb

: to arrange oneself in or as if in a curl or ball

curl up with a good book