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

Other Words from curve 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

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 To shape Scotch broom or similar foliage, wrap it with fine wire and bend it to form and curve you desire. — Maggie O'neill, Good Housekeeping, "25 Practical Tips for Flower Arrangements From 1952," 7 May 2015 The planet suddenly acts as a lens for the star's light, curving it as it would be seen from Earth. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Two More Mysterious Rogue Planets Found," 9 Nov. 2018 Even without her visor, the hood of her fitted black hoodie comes up over her head, and her chest is curved inward, her guardedness a contrast to her open smile and bearing on TV talk shows and red carpets. — Meredith Talusan, SELF, "Trans Is Beautiful: Laverne Cox on the Work of Self-Love," 17 Oct. 2018 Michael’s current forecast track suggests the storm could curve eastward and dump rain on the Carolinas, which are still recovering from the intense flooding brought by Hurricane Florence last month. — Jon Kamp, WSJ, "Storm Near Gulf of Mexico Aims for Florida’s Panhandle," 7 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The goal is for the spacecraft to fall off the edge of the planet’s curve. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "The Virgin Galactic Hype Totally Misses the Point," 13 Dec. 2018 At the lower end of the age curve, the opposite holds true. — Andrew Van Dam, latimes.com, "A record number of folks age 85 and older are working. Here's what they're doing," 5 July 2018 The driver was carrying produce in the truck and failed to negotiate the curve, according to Tiffany Bush, a highway patrol spokeswoman. — Ian Cummings, Joe Robertson, Robert A. Cronkleton And Tammy Ljungblad, kansascity, "'Miracle he's alive': Driver hospitalized after semi truck falls off overpass in KCK," 25 June 2018 Rather than asset sales knocking the economic expansion off track, the risk may be that policy makers get behind the curve and financial conditions become too loose. — Enda Curran, Bloomberg.com, "Easy Money Era Endures Even as Central Banks Unwind Stimulus," 17 June 2018 Hull made an unsuccessful attempt to get by on the last lap's back straight, another entering the curve, and had the lead coming onto the straight. — Ken Goe, OregonLive.com, "USC claims the NCAA women's track championship as the Oregon Ducks wilt in the rain," 9 June 2018 Our city has always been ahead of the curve on transitioning our sirens to models that better protect New Yorker’s hearing. — Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, "New York City Council Members Want to Dial Down Sirens," 13 Feb. 2019 Some East Coasters likely have some catching up to do with No Sesso, but as always, Venus X remains ahead of the curve—in fact, the stylish DJ has already been spotted in the brand-new collection. — Rachel Hahn, Vogue, "Venus X Is Already Wearing This New York Fashion Week’s Breakout Collection," 7 Feb. 2019 Three projectors in perfect synchronization covered the entire surface of the curve, and the goal was a sense of total immersion for the audience. — Eleanor Hildebrandt, Popular Mechanics, "The True Story of the Lost Sci-Fi Movie "Brainstorm," Natalie Wood’s Last Film," 21 Dec. 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.