furl

1 of 2

verb

ˈfər(-ə)l 

furled; furling; furls

transitive verb

: to wrap or roll (something, such as a sail or a flag) close to or around something

intransitive verb

: to curl or fold as in being furled

furl

2 of 2

noun

1

: a furled coil

2

: the act of furling

Examples of furl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Visitors can see traditional sailor activities including furling sail, ropemaking, knot-tying and hauling lines aboard the historic Star of India. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

Visitors can see traditional sailor activities including furling sail, ropemaking, knot-tying and hauling lines aboard the historic Star of India ship. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025

Read More: Meet the Comb Jelly, the Sister Species of All Animals Switching Distant Genes On and Off For long-distance gene regulation, or distal regulation, to work, DNA has to be folded or furled into intricate loops. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 May 2025

Fast-Track Sailing Kokomo was one of the first yachts to be fitted with a hydraulic batt-car system for furling the mainsail, which has cars at each batten end that slot in an outer track on the mast. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024

Eyebrows initially furled at the thought of turning the dystopian premise into a real game show, but Squid Game: The Challenge works surprisingly well within its limitations. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2024

My papa’s house furled and unfurled, high as a church steeple in some parts, and low as a dung beetle in others. —Okwiri Oduor, Harper's Magazine, 15 June 2022

At the tip of Shelter Island, several hundred dignitaries and well-wishers applauded when Sharon, dressed in pink and looking very dainty, hauled down the mainsail of her craft, furled it and docked with an ease no mail sailor could fault. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2019

If paper with a tendency to curl is packaged and stored furled around a core, the curl is set, much like a lock of hair around a curler. —New York Times, 25 May 2018

Noun

Pirate Yakuza proverbial monkey’s paw furls on providing a thrilling pirate life and crime simulator at the expense of a more coherent or emotional story. —Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025

Winehouse was entirely in her element, swaying to the sultry songs like a furl of smoke and improvising inflections on the lyrics with aplomb. —Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 18 May 2024

McDonnell’s brow furls slightly underneath his cap. —Chris MacIas -, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024

From every officer’s belt there dangled an insectlike furl of disposable plastic manacles. —Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019

Suddenly, billowing puffs of pollen furl out from the pine’s branches and float through the air like a fluffy, yellow cloud. —Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 10 May 2018

Just look at Redbor kale, which is extravagantly purple, with rich pink in the stems, kinks of fuchsia in the veins, and furls of rosy curls. —Adrienne Rose Johnson, Bon Appetit, 15 June 2017

Just look at Redbor kale, which is extravagantly purple, with rich pink in the stems, kinks of fuchsia in the veins, and furls of rosy curls. —Adrienne Rose Johnson, Bon Appetit, 15 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Anglo-French ferlier to fasten, from fer, ferm tight (from Latin firmus firm) + lier to tie, from Latin ligare — more at ligature

First Known Use

Verb

1556, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

furl

1 of 2 verb

ˈfər(ə-)l 

: to wrap or roll (as a sail or a flag) close to or around something

furl

2 of 2 noun

1

: a furled coil

2

: the act of furling