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

Those tendrils are formed from plasma, or ionized gas, at temperatures in excess of a million degrees Fahrenheit, compared to the sun's visible surface, the photosphere, which radiates at about 9,932 degrees Fahrenheit (5,500 degrees Celsius). — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 July 2026

Ideal for a wedding or black-tie gala, Hannah Bronfman’s twisty updo and face-framing tendrils are sure to enchant. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 2 July 2026

The plants will become taller, push out leaves, reach for support with their tiny tendrils, and develop blossoms. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026

From the tendrils of this admirable, forward-leaning organization, podcast listeners are fortunate enough to receive the Nice Genes! — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 30 June 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