curve

1 of 3

verb

ˈkərv 

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

1

: to cause to curve

2

: to throw a curveball to (a batter)

3

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

curve

2 of 3

noun

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 see also epidemic curve, learning curve, normal curve, simple closed curve, sine curve

2

: something curved: such as

a

: a curving line of the human body

b

curves plural : parenthesis

3

a

: curveball

b

: trick, deception

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

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

curve

3 of 3

adjective

archaic

: bent or formed into a curve

Synonyms of curve

Verb

• arc
• round
• trend
• bow
• arch
• bend
• sweep
• wheel
• fall off
• loop
• wind
• turn

Noun

• curvature
• bend
• angle
• turn

Examples of curve in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Several other curved, slender bones were soon found nearby, according to pictures shared with the station. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Thierry Henry curved away from defenders, Cristiano Ronaldo attacked their blind side and Kylian Mbappe outran them. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Noun

But that's part of Christina Bohannan's long learning curve as a Democratic candidate for Congress. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Monday's report comes after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled an extended debt buyback program aimed at easing pressure on the long-end of the yield curve. — Fred Imbert,sean Conlon,hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin curvare, from curvus

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin curvus; akin to Greek kyrtos convex, Middle Irish cruinn round

First Known Use

Verb

1594, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing curve

• bell curve
• curve fitting
• epi curve
• epidemic curve
• epidemiological curve
• epidemiologic curve
• French curve
• Gaussian curve
• Jordan curve
• Jordan curve theorem
• learning curve
• light curve
• logistic curve
• normal curve
• simple closed curve
• sine curve
• skew curve
• throw (someone) a curve/curveball

Rhymes for curve

• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve
• verve
• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve

Kids Definition

curve

1 of 2 verb

ˈkərv 

curved; curving

1

: to turn or change from a straight line or course

the road curved to the left

2

: to cause to curve

curve

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a line especially when curved

b

: a line connecting points on a graph or in a coordinate system

2

: something that bends or turns without angles

a curve in the road

3

: a ball thrown so that it moves away from a straight course