curlicue

1 of 2

noun

cur·​li·​cue ˈkər-lē-ˌkyü 

-li-

variants or less commonly curlycue

: a fancifully curved or spiral figure : flourish

curlicue

2 of 2

verb

curlicued; curlicuing

intransitive verb

: to form curlicues

transitive verb

: to embellish with curlicues

Examples of curlicue in a Sentence

Noun

Curlicues were carved into the wood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As narrator and protagonist Kirie explains, suddenly one day there were spirals everywhere in town: clouds blocking out the sun, hurricanes blowing through the streets, whirlpools forming in ponds and rivers, plants growing in curlicues. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024

There is a small gym, along with a pool (with curlicue handrails and an invigorating counter-current) that guests can book by the hour for complete privacy. —Shamilee Vellu, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2024

Verb

Outside, winding paths through gardens and woods lead to site-specific installations, like Eleven Minute Line, a land-art piece by Maya Lin that curlicues through a field of cows. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2023

The cutwork curlicues, stars, and trees on the border of this runner definitely deliver the wow factor. —Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

curly + cue a braid of hair

First Known Use

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1844, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

curlicue

noun

curli·​cue

variants also curlycue

ˈkər-li-ˌkyü

: a fancifully curved or spiral figure (as a flourish in handwriting)