Definition of curve
archaic
: bent or formed into a curve
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Origin and Etymology of curve
Middle English, from Latin curvus; akin to Greek kyrtos convex, Middle Irish cruinn round
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 15th century
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearDefinition of curve
curved;
curving
: to have or take a turn, change, or deviation from a straight line or plane surface without sharp breaks or angularity
1
: to cause to curve
2
: to throw a curveball to (a batter)
3
: to grade (something, such as an examination) on a curve
Examples of curve in a Sentence
The tail curves over the dog's back.
The road curves to the left.
The fence curves in toward the side of the house.
The railing curves out near the observation platform.
Recent Examples of curve from the Web
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Apple is also developing iPhone displays that curve inward gradually from top to bottom, one of the people familiar with the situation said.
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Andy Kapyrin, RegentAtlantic partner and director of research, discusses the yield curves effect on the economy and the tech sell off.
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The living room, which overlooks the swanky, sunken space, is hugged on one side by a curving wall with tall windows.
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Her black gown from Valentino with a snake curving up its neckline sprojected the elegance of old Hollywood.
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The structure called the cingulate gyrus, curving through the center of the brain, is hyperactive in murderers.
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According to Morrissey’s office, a motorist pulled over in the breakdown lane and saw the remains Wednesday afternoon on a curving part of I-95 where the highway branches off from I-93.
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Work on the new bridge, which includes shifting six lanes north across a curving temporary bridge, will continue through mid-November.
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This grey G3-powered all-in-one debuted months before that first iMac, giving translucent plastic and curves a test drive in schools before debuting the new style across Apple's lineup by the end of the millennium.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of curve
Latin curvare, from curvus
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 1594
in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
See Words from the same yearDefinition of curve
1 a
: a line especially when curved: such as
(1)
: the path of a moving point
(2)
: a line defined by an equation so that the coordinates of its points are functions of a single independent variable or parameter
b
: the graph of a variable
4
: a distribution indicating the relative performance of individuals measured against each other that is used especially in assigning good, medium, or poor grades to usually predetermined proportions of students rather than in assigning grades based on predetermined standards of achievement
5
: trend
- a growth curve in advertising revenues
- companies that are behind the curve in adopting new technologies
Examples of curve in a Sentence
The dog's tail has a slight curve.
There is a sharp curve coming up in the road.
the price curve in relation to inflation
Recent Examples of curve from the Web
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According to state police, the crash happened shortly after 1 p.m. Monday when the driver of the 2001 Mack tanker, Jonathan Andrew Edwards, 32, of West Springfield, Mass., failed to make the ramp’s curve.
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Recently, she's been playing around with different yet still subtle styles—from $498 Adina Reyter yellow-gold diamond curve earrings to $90 Isabel Marant gold hoops (shop similar here) to $1,495 Birks stackable yellow-gold rings.
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In the first major test of general relativity, astronomers in 1919 measured the deflection of light from distant stars as the starlight passed by our sun, proving that gravity does, in fact, distort or curve space.
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That would give Hawken room to put up a canopy made of white steel and Brazilian cumaru wood with a swoop that mimics the food truck's curves.
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Lane-keep assist is also very good, with subtle corrections that don't result in your drifting into the other lane, even on slight curves.
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Plus, Lovely just collaborated with the couture label Theia on a capsule collection of six new dresses, in sizes 20 to 24, that are curve-accentuating and romantic.
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The Tigers couldn't do much against Kluber’s sinker, cutter or curve.
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The curve is a little easier to navigate for the defense.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of curve
1666
CURVE Defined for English Language Learners
curve
Definition of curve for English Language Learners
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: to form a curve : to turn or change from a straight line, shape, or path to a smooth, rounded one
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: to cause (something) to form a curve
curve
Definition of curve for English Language Learners
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: a smooth, rounded line, shape, path, etc.
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: a curved line on a graph that shows how something changes or is affected by one or more conditions
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: a curving line or shape of the human body and especially of a woman's body
CURVE Defined for Kids
Definition of curve for Students
curved;
curving
: to turn or cause to turn from a straight line or course
- The road curved to the left.
Definition of curve for Students
1
: a smooth rounded line or surface
- Slow down! There's a curve in the road.
2
: something having a somewhat round shape
- the curves of the body
3
: a ball thrown so that it moves away from a straight course
Learn More about curve
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See words that rhyme with curve Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for curve Spanish Central: Translation of curve Nglish: Translation of curve for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of curve for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about curve
Seen and Heard
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