uncurl

verb

un·​curl ˌən-ˈkər(-ə)l How to pronounce uncurl (audio)
uncurled; uncurling; uncurls

intransitive verb

: to become straightened out from a curled or coiled position

transitive verb

: to straighten the curls of : unroll

Examples of uncurl in a Sentence

The snake uncurled and slithered off. uncurled the ribbon and flattened it out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Exhale, lower the bridge down, then uncurl the trunk to bring the right hip and shoulder back to the ground. Jen Murphy, WSJ, 16 June 2022 My heaven is alpine: krummholz giving way to granite, and the sky uncurling from fast-moving clouds. Gretel Ehrlich, The Atlantic, 2 May 2020 As the pro-United States crowd filling the stadium erupted in cheers, Rapinoe jogged toward the corner flag, uncurled a slow pirouette and lifted her arms to either side, like a bullfighter awash in adulation. Andrew Keh, New York Times, 7 July 2019 In the short clip, what appeared to be a snake or dragon tail curled and uncurled under video static. Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE.com, 21 Aug. 2017 Late spring is time for the white bells of salal, intermingled with uncurling fronds of new ferns, and one of my favorites: tiny starflowers, with their single pinkish-white, seven-pointed star shining from a cluster of deep green leaves. Brian J. Cantwell, The Seattle Times, 7 June 2017 Using a water hose, uncurl it to make a straight line in the grass. Angela Peterson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 May 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncurl was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near uncurl

Cite this Entry

“Uncurl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncurl. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncurl

verb
un·​curl ˌən-ˈkər(-ə)l How to pronounce uncurl (audio)
ˈən-
: to make or become straightened out from a curled or coiled position

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