spiral

1 of 3

adjective

spi·​ral ˈspī-rəl 

1

a

: winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it

the spiral curve of a watch spring

b

: helical

c

: spiral-bound

a spiral notebook

2

: of or relating to the advancement to higher levels through a series of cyclical movements

spirally

ˈspī-rə-lē 

adverb

spiral

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it

b

: a three-dimensional curve (such as a helix) with one or more turns about an axis

2

: a single turn or coil in a spiral object

3

: something having a spiral form as:

a

: spiral galaxy

b(1)

: a spiral flight

(2)

: a kick or pass in which a football rotates on its long axis while moving through the air

4

: a continuously spreading and accelerating increase or decrease

wage spirals

spiral

3 of 3

verb

spiraled or spiralled; spiraling or spiralling

intransitive verb

: to go and especially to rise or fall in a spiral course

costs spiraled upward

transitive verb

1

: to form into a spiral

2

: to cause to spiral

Synonyms

Adjective

• coiling
• corkscrew
• helical
• involute
• screwlike
• winding

Verb

• coil
• corkscrew
• curl
• entwine
• twine
• twist
• wind

Examples of spiral in a Sentence

Adjective

a spiral staircase takes visitors up into the Statue of Liberty

Noun

The glider flew in a wide spiral over the field.

The quarterback threw a tight spiral to the receiver.

Verb

Smoke spiraled up from the chimney.

The airplane spiraled to the ground and crashed.

The unemployment rate has been spiraling upward.

The stock market is spiraling downward.

Let's deal with this crisis before it spirals out of control.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

My 9/11 diary entry is written in a spiral notebook with a cartoon cat on the front and the next page says 'ugh Megan is mad at me. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

The rocket was in the upper atmosphere and spinning at the time — possibly because at least two satellites were being deployed — causing a spiral shape to be seen. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

Noun

Asawa is best known for creating a continuous form within a form, but there are a variety of bulbs, gourd-like shapes and spirals. —Robert Taylor, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025

Related article An eerie spiral lit up the European skies. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025

Verb

Industry leaders understand that quick, transparent action in the face of controversy is often the difference between a reputational crisis that is managed and one that spirals. —Darius Fisher, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

The challenge now: making sure the season’s most disheartening defeat doesn’t spiral something into something extended. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin spiralis, from Latin spira coil — more at spire

First Known Use

Adjective

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing spiral

• downward spiral
• inflationary spiral
• spiral binding
• spiral-bound
• spiral cleavage
• spiral galaxy
• spiral of Archimedes
• spiral spring
• spiral staircase
• upward spiral

Rhymes for spiral

• chiral
• viral
• adenoviral
• antiretroviral
• antiviral
• retroviral

Kids Definition

spiral

1 of 3 adjective

spi·​ral ˈspī-rəl 

1

: winding or circling around a center and gradually getting closer to or farther away from it

the spiral curve of a watch spring

2

: winding around an axis like the thread of a screw

a spiral staircase

spirally

-rə-lē 

adverb

spiral

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: a curve in a plane that winds around a point while getting closer to or farther away from it

b

: a curve (as a helix) in space that winds around an axis

2

: a single turn or coil in a spiral object

3

: something having a spiral form

spiral

3 of 3 verb

spiraled or spiralled; spiraling or spiralling

: to move in a spiral path

Medical Definition

spiral

1 of 2 adjective

spi·​ral ˈspī-rəl 

1

a

: winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it

b

: helical

the spiral structure of DNA

2

: being a fracture in which the break is produced by twisting apart the bone

a double spiral break

spirally

-rə-lē 

adverb

spiral

2 of 2 noun

1

: the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it

2

: a three-dimensional curve (as a helix) with one or more turns about an axis

the double spiral of DNA