curlicue

1 of 2

noun

cur·​li·​cue ˈkər-lē-ˌkyü How to pronounce curlicue (audio)
-li-
variants or less commonly curlycue
: a fancifully curved or spiral figure : flourish

curlicue

2 of 2

verb

curlicued; curlicuing

transitive verb

: to embellish with curlicues

Examples of curlicue in a Sentence

Noun Curlicues were carved into the wood.
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.
Noun
Explosions emit curlicue swirls in addition to CGI smoke. Courtney Howard, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025 There are almost no digressions on this show, none of the narrative curlicues and flourishes that elevate work above serviceable. Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 29 Sep. 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 See all Example Sentences for curlicue 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of curlicue was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near curlicue

Cite this Entry

“Curlicue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curlicue. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

curlicue

noun
curli·​cue
variants also curlycue
ˈkər-li-ˌkyü
: a fancifully curved or spiral figure (as a flourish in handwriting)

More from Merriam-Webster on curlicue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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