leaf curl

noun

: any of numerous plant diseases caused by ascomycetous fungi (genus Taphrina of the family Taphrinaceae) or viruses (especially genus Begomovirus of the family Geminiviridae) and characterized by curling of leaves

especially : peach leaf curl

Examples of leaf curl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Too Early Tomatoes can suffer from leaf curl if they have not been properly hardened off or were planted when the weather was still too cool. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 July 2026

Tomatoes are susceptible to many viruses, such as tomato yellow leaf curl virus, that cause leaves to twist and curl. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 May 2026

These trees are also vulnerable to pests and diseases, including leaf curl, brown rot, bacterial spot, borers, scale, aphids, mites, and Japanese beetles. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 29 May 2026

Peach leaf curl is caused by a fungus that thrives in humidity (another reason to stop using overhead spray irrigation). — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leaf curl

• cowgirl
• schoolgirl
• unfurl
• burl
• churl
• earl
• girl
• hurl
• merl
• merle
• perle
• swirl