undulate

1 of 2

adjective

un·​du·​late ˈən-jə-lət  ˈən-dyə- 

ˈən-də-, 

-ˌlāt 

variants or undulated

ˈən-jə-ˌlā-təd 

ˈən-dyə-, 

ˈən-də-

: having a wavy surface, edge, or markings

the undulate margin of a leaf

undulate

2 of 2

verb

un·​du·​late ˈən-jə-ˌlāt 

ˈən-dyə-, 

ˈən-də-

undulated; undulating

intransitive verb

1

: to form or move in waves : fluctuate

2

: to rise and fall in volume, pitch, or cadence

3

: to present a wavy appearance

transitive verb

: to cause to move in a wavy, sinuous, or flowing manner

Did you know?

Make Waves With the History of Undulate

Undulate and inundate (“to cover something with a flood of water”) are word cousins that flow from unda, the Latin word for “wave.” No surprise there. But would you have guessed that abound, surround, and redound are also unda offspring? While their modern definitions have nothing to do with waves or water, at some point in their early histories, they all meant “to overflow,” and caught a wave from there.

Choose the Right Synonym for undulate

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite.

swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Examples of undulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The way draperies naturally bunch and undulate is a perfect example of how material or application can contrast the sharp lines. —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2026

Verb

In the area with cold plunging and a sauna, the walls undulate with patterns that change color, designed to evoke arctic caves and volcanic rock. —Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

The colorful sculptures, which undulate with the wind, are designed to create feathery, streaming canopies that highlight and play off the architecture, light and weather in highly visible public areas. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin undulatus, from *undula, diminutive of unda wave — more at water

Verb

Late Latin undula small wave, from Latin *undula

First Known Use

Adjective

1658, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1664, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for undulate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

undulate

verb

un·​du·​late

ˈən-jə-ˌlāt, 

ˈən-d(y)ə-

undulated; undulating

1

: to form or move in waves : fluctuate

2

: to rise and fall in volume, pitch, or rhythm

3

: to present a wavy appearance

Etymology

Verb

from Latin undula "small wave," derived from earlier unda "wave"

Medical Definition

undulate

adjective

un·​du·​late ˈən-jə-lət  ˈən-d(y)ə-  -ˌlāt 

: having a wavy surface, edge, or markings

an undulate cell