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

• nestle
• snug
• snuggle

Examples of curl up in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The sinkhole has gone unrepaired since then, and it’s grown deep and wide enough that a bear might choose to hibernate in it, curling up beneath the trees that have taken root in the cavity. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025

The video showed Iggy curled up in the corner of his cage, burying his face—a heartbreaking image of grief and confusion. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

He was curled up on the ground, cold and wearing only a diaper, according to police. —Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2025

Then, the deputies saw a small puppy curled up in the fetal position and dead inside a pizza box, according to Swanson. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? —Chris Spargo, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, 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