curve

adjective

\ ˈkərv

Definition of curve

(Entry 1 of 3)

archaic

: bent or formed into a curve

curve

verb

curved; curving

Definition of curve (Entry 2 of 3)

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

noun

Definition of curve (Entry 3 of 3)

1a : 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

2 : something curved: such as

a : a curving line of the human body

b curves plural : parenthesis

3a : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about curve

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Synonyms & Antonyms for curve

Synonyms: Verb

arc, arch, bend, bow, crook, fall off, hook, round, sweep, swerve, trend, wheel

Synonyms: Noun

angle, arc, arch, bend, bow, crook, curvature, inflection, turn, wind

Antonyms: Verb

straighten

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

The steel and glass house sits on a hillside location next to a creek, curving sinuously across three levels. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Three-tiered glass masterpiece asks $16.8M," 26 Dec. 2018 The result was exquisitely made pieces that were as celebrated as much for their quality as for their simplified, modern forms — think Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chair or Alvar Aalto’s gently curving birch-and-beech wood chair. — Hillary Brown, House Beautiful, "Everything You Need To Know About Mid-Century Modern Design," 13 Sep. 2018 On the shin is a mini extension that curves upward like a thorny vestigial tail. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "Fecal Matter Has Made Its Photoshopped Skin Shoes Into Actual Wearable Heels—And They're $10,000," 24 Oct. 2018 The whole experience feels like entering a museum of the future, with great curving walls (continuing the desert rose theme established by the exterior) alive with dynamic video installation. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Hamish Bowles Spends a Week in Qatar and Is Dazzled by Doha," 2 Apr. 2019 First designed and built by engineer Hawley Bowlus in 1934, the Bowlus Road Chief was inspired by the curving forms and long horizontal lines of the Art Moderne period. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Aluminum trailer combines ‘30s style with modern amenities," 6 Nov. 2018 After Thomas Partey earned a foul outside the area, Griezmann curved a free kick over the defensive barrier and into the corner of the net to level in the 45th. — Joseph Wilson, The Seattle Times, "Barcelona increases lead in Spain as rivals drop points," 6 Jan. 2019 My senses were blasted with a kaleidoscope of colorful, curving, intricate forms; evidence of Mackintosh’s fascination with nature, symbolism and mysticism. — Sam Lubell, New York Times, "A Glasgow Architect’s Masterpiece Is Damaged, but Not His Magic," 2 July 2018 Another room, previously used as an office, has a curving wall of tall casement windows and a glass door leading outside. — Carol Riordan, courant.com, "Property of the Week: 59 Papermill Road, Glastonbury," 28 Dec. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The version designed by Zaha Hadid, which the late architect infused with her famous curves, is also a staple. — Leena Kim, Town & Country, "Lady Kitty Spencer, Princess Diana's Niece, Is Making a Name for Herself in the Fashion World," 15 Apr. 2019 All of which complicates a track already considered one of the most physically demanding and technically challenging courses of the season with its s-curves, tight corners and long straight with abrupt braking zones. — Jim Vertuno, The Seattle Times, "Marquez again wins pole position at MotoGP in Austin," 13 Apr. 2019 Similarly, electric vehicles (EVs) show every sign of being poised at the bottom of their own S curve. — David Roberts, Vox, "The case for “conditional optimism” on climate change," 29 Jan. 2019 For those of us who are tired of feeling excluded and shut out in the lingerie space for our curves, here are eight brands that celebrate all shapes. — Shammara Lawrence, Teen Vogue, "9 Size-Inclusive Lingerie Brands to Support Instead of Victoria's Secret," 14 Nov. 2018 The dress, which is from Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 1996 collection, transformed Kim into a walking optical illusion—accentuating her famous curves in the process. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kim Kardashian’s People’s Choice Awards Dress May Hypnotize You," 12 Nov. 2018 There's a pleasant balance between sportiness and comfort that is sometimes missing in this segment, and the car itself is nice to look at with its curves and slopes. — Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, "Variable-compression engine meets crossover: Infiniti QX50 review," 8 Nov. 2018 Photo via The Modern House With its twisting curves and unfurling exterior, you’d be forgiven for mistaking this home for a piece of abstract art. — Alex Bazeley, Curbed, "Sculptural steel home built into a 19th-century railway bridge wants $1.4M," 9 July 2018 What Miller liked a lot was the shape of his curve. — Bob Mcmanaman, azcentral, "Shelby Miller much better this time out, but Diamondbacks still fall to the Padres," 5 July 2018

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.