curve

1 of 3

adjective

ˈkərv

Synonyms of curve next

archaic

: bent or formed into a curve

curve

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verb

curved; curving

intransitive verb

: to have or take a turn, change, or deviation from a straight line or plane surface without sharp breaks or angularity

transitive verb

: to cause to curve

: to throw a curveball to (a batter)

: to grade (something, such as an examination) on a curve

curve

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noun

: 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

: the graph of a variable see also epidemic curve, learning curve, normal curve, simple closed curve, sine curve

: something curved: such as

: a curving line of the human body

curves plural : parenthesis

: curveball

: trick, deception

: 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

: trend

a growth curve in advertising revenues

especially : a prevalent trend or rate of progress

—often used in the phrases ahead of the curve and behind the curve

companies that are behind the curve in adopting new technologies

Example Sentences

Verb 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. Noun 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 See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Victoria’s riflebird curves its wings above its body and tosses its head from side to side, showing off its blue-green breast. —

Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 May 2023 The long handle is curved for better grasping, though the pan felt slightly front-heavy during our pouring test. —

Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 8 May 2023 At the front, the neckline of the dress also curved downwards, sloping into a low-back silhouette. —

Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 26 Apr. 2023 Some things to look out for that signal poor adjustment include hunching forward, shoulders curving forward, and tightness in your low back, hip flexors, or hamstrings, Dr. Folden notes. —

Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 21 Apr. 2023 Their flange and indexes have also been curved, aiding in the illusion of being on the outside looking in. —

Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2023 Many of them curve around bright, Mediterranean waters backdropped by dramatic cliffs. —

Julia Buckley, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2023 Should its geometry mimic the rooflines of the homes lined along nearby neighborhood streets, or might its lines curve to evoke the hull of the Clotilda? —

Lawrence Specker | , al, 8 Apr. 2023 The hedges here grow tall and curve in, kissing in an arch. —

Ingrid Rojas Contreras, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2023

Noun

One of Morris’ favorite works, shown at the Brooklyn Museum, embodies this spirit: an abstracted view of a woman’s torso, the curves of her body like peaks and valleys, her vulva covered in a real tuffet of green fur. —

Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 17 May 2023 As a baby, Carter Sarkar was a happy and healthy jokester developing skills ahead of the curve. —

Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2023 Being able to acknowledge past missteps in order to make more informed decisions in the future is crucial to Swift overcoming a learning curve of privilege. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2023 Leachman collapsed on the final curve with the lead in the 3,200 at the Region IV-5A championships. —

David Hinojosa, San Antonio Express-News, 12 May 2023 And then there’s a whole different set of problems or curve balls. —

Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2023 My body had been through several wars (the birth of my three kids, a double-mastectomy, and menopause) which had redistributed some of the curves and sags. —

Jill Kargman, Town & Country, 2 May 2023 Because the interest rate yield curve usually is upward-sloping, longer-term securities usually pay more interest than shorter-term securities. —

Robert Litan, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2023 The silky fabric drapes effortlessly over your curves for a fresh out of the water look that doesn't feel too literal. —

Sarah Maberry, seventeen.com, 8 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.