Definition of curve
archaic
:bent or formed into a curve
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From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of curve
Middle English, from Latin curvus; akin to Greek kyrtos convex, Middle Irish cruinn round
Definition of curve
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
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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The display will also be curved, according to reports.
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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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What impeded her was the daily trip from Lake Isabella to Bakersfield — an hour-plus bus ride down the curving canyon road.
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As the water curved down Main Street in the historic shopping district, Sweet Elizabeth Jane clothing boutique was at the bend inside Caplan's department store.
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Of her great breakthroughs, perhaps the most easily explained involves hyperbolic surfaces: roughly, doughnuts with two or more holes, but where each point on the surface curves upwards, like a saddle.
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At the heart of the 28-acre development is a lush 6-acre park, designed by landscape architect James Burnett, with curving paths and gurgling water features.
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With one out and runners on first and second, Beavers' leadoff hitter center fielder Steven Kwan sliced a curving ball in the air toward the left field foul pole.
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An old stairway was removed, replaced by a curving white oak staircase.
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
Definition 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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Anyone looking for colors, curves, plushness and whimsy should stay elsewhere.
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Parents are often behind the technology curve that allows their children to be exposed to pornography.
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The tiara boasts 19 diamond arches, with pearls dangling from each embellished curve.
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The meatiest part of the book is the treatment of platform economics, replete with demand-curve charts.
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And hey, robots may be shopping for us online any day now, so might as well get ahead of the curve.
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Now, the company has launched jewelry in hopes of helping curve women find accessories in extended sizes.
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The upper end of the probability curve runs as high as eight degrees — and the authors still haven’t figured out how to deal with that permafrost melt.
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There’s also a huge learning curve as this tech continues to evolve—even for the talent—as most have never shot in VR, which requires a certain amount of instruction and parameters.
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 Synonyms
Synonyms
angle, arc, arch, bow, crook, curvature, bend, inflection, turn, windRelated Words
kink, warp; circle, ring, ringlet, round; coil, curl, curlicue (also curlycue); buckle, convolution, flexure, fold, loop, spiral, swirl, twist, winding; incurvature, reflection; decline, inclination, incline, slope; corner, turnoff; dogleg, hairpinCURVE Defined for English Language Learners
curve
verb
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
noun
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.
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
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