purl

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpər(-ə)l 

1

: gold or silver thread or wire for embroidering or edging

2

: the intertwisting of thread that knots a stitch usually along an edge

3

: purl stitch

purl

2 of 4

verb (1)

purled; purling; purls

transitive verb

1

a

: to embroider with gold or silver thread

b

: to edge or border with gold or silver embroidery

2

: to knit in purl stitch

intransitive verb

: to do knitting in purl stitch

purl

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

: a purling or swirling stream or rill

2

: a gentle murmur or movement (as of purling water)

purl

4 of 4

verb (2)

purled; purling; purls

intransitive verb

1

: eddy, swirl

2

: to make a soft murmuring sound like that of a purling stream

Examples of purl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Use a crochet hook to bring the leftover yarn to the inside of your mitten and use one of the purl bumps to secure it with a knot. —Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2021

In the grid below, each box is a stitch, and every red box is an odd stitch—a purl, a different color, or a hole. —Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2020

The only sounds are our own voices, the crackle of the fire, the purl of the river, the dull drone of the barges, and the constant chorus of bullfrogs, birds, bugs and coyotes. —Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2023

Moving diagonally, use the hook to weave your remaining yarn into the purl bumps. —Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English

Noun (2)

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian purla to ripple

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1518, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing purl

• purl stitch

• purl stitch

Kids Definition

purl

1 of 3 verb

ˈpər(-ə)l 

: to invert the stitches in knitting

purl

2 of 3 noun

1

: a swirling stream

2

: a gentle murmur

purl

3 of 3 verb

1

: eddy entry 2, swirl

2

: to make a murmuring sound

Etymology

Verb

from obsolete pirl "to twist"

Noun

perhaps of Scandinavian origin