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

Garnish each sandwich with a few extra pea tendrils, which can be found at farmers’ markets during the spring. —Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026

The star's honey blonde hair was swept up into a twist at the top of her head with a long ponytail draping down and a few tendrils framing her face. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Those soft stripes are seen woven sporadically throughout the fluffy look, like in her tendrils and along the crown. —Marci Robin, Allure, 8 Apr. 2026

The New York Times bestselling author wore her dark tendrils in damp curls, while her makeup included gray eyeshadow, a razor-thin brow, and a nude lip. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 8 Apr. 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