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

The teapot piece has pea tendril decor, which alludes to my favorite spring garden vegetable. —Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Lily Collins falls into the latter camp, her piecey, straight-across cut giving way to romantic tendrils. —Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026

The narrowness of the poles is perfect for pea tendrils, and the DIY look brings natural charm to vegetable beds. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026

In one brilliant panel a tendril from the Torch’s fiery wake singes off Hiccup’s Hitler moustache. —Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 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