tendril

noun

ten·​dril ˈten-drəl 

1

: a leaf, stipule, or stem modified into a slender spirally coiling sensitive organ serving to attach a climbing plant to its support

2

: something suggestive of a tendril

creeping tendrils of fog

tendriled adjective

or tendrilled

ˈten-drəld 

tendrilous

ˈten-drə-ləs 

adjective

Illustration of tendril

• tendril 1

Examples of tendril in a Sentence

A few tendrils of hair framed her face.

Recent Examples on the Web

To bag the loveliest tables, which jut out in frond-like tendrils towards the sea and afford extra privacy, opt for an early dinner. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026

Following the publication of an 1858 essay on the coiling of cucumber tendrils by Harvard botanist Asa Gray, Darwin became fascinated by the subject of plant movement. —Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026

In this photo, tendrils of green light appear in the sky over the Spectrum rocket upright on its launch pad, thanks to the northern lights, or aurora borealis. —Brett Tingley, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2026

To finish, Gomez pulled out two slim tendrils to frame her face on either side. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of Middle French tendron bud, cartilage, alteration of Old French tenrum, from Vulgar Latin *tenerumen, from Latin tener tender — more at tender entry 1

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tendril

noun

ten·​dril ˈten-drəl 

1

: a slender leafless winding stem by which some climbing plants fasten themselves to a support

2

: something that curls like a tendril

tendrils of hair