curved; curving
: to have or take a turn, change, or deviation from a straight line or plane surface without sharp breaks or angularity
1
: to cause to curve
2
: to throw a curveball to (a batter)
3
: to grade (something, such as an examination) on a curve
1
a
: a line especially when curved: such as
(1)
: the path of a moving point
(2)
: a line defined by an equation so that the coordinates of its points are functions of a single independent variable or parameter
b
: the graph of a variable see also epidemic curve, learning curve, normal curve, simple closed curve, sine curve
2
4
: a distribution indicating the relative performance of individuals measured against each other that is used especially in assigning good, medium, or poor grades to usually predetermined proportions of students rather than in assigning grades based on predetermined standards of achievement
5
: trend
a growth curve in advertising revenues
especially
: a prevalent trend or rate of progress
—often used in the phrases ahead of the curve and behind the curve
companies that are behind the curve in adopting new technologies
Synonyms
Examples of curve in a Sentence
Verb
The tail curves over the dog's back.
The road curves to the left.
The fence curves in toward the side of the house.
The railing curves out near the observation platform.
Noun
The dog's tail has a slight curve.
There is a sharp curve coming up in the road.
the price curve in relation to inflation
Recent Examples on the Web
Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Inside, highlights include a double-height foyer displaying a striking curving staircase, which flows to formal living and dining rooms.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024
The new approach measures the region of space-time that’s significantly curved by the proton.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
Empty lots and rice silos once dotted West Sacramento’s curving riverbank overlooking California’s capital city.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 4 Apr. 2024
The light of a star in the great distance, for instance, would seem to curve around a large object in front of it, nearer to us—like our Sun.
—Rebecca Boyle, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
The ball soared across the lawn, cleared the pool and seemed to curve mid-air before landing right in front of Ferrara, who caught it in his hands.
—Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
When a total solar eclipse starts to curve across New York state at about 3:17 p.m. on April 8, Jessica DeCerce will be somewhere near Buffalo.
—Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
New renderings show a circular façade bursting with blossoming florals and trees, alongside curving balconies.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2024
Staying on top of the learning curve will help maintain respect and a good reputation.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
Navigating a Major League Baseball season is all about buckling in for the roller coaster, knowing how to lean into the curves and stomach the drops.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
The merging tracks form a V-shape that nearly chokes the shag of tall trees within it, strong-arming nature in a way that is both willful and, in its undulating curves, almost seductive.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024
Yellow plunge bikinis, hot pink two-pieces, patchwork stringy numbers… Hayek has an impressive swimwear wardrobe, and the sort of next-level curves required to showcase it to best possible effect.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
In Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which casts gravitational attraction as objects following curves in space-time, the energy-momentum tensor tells space-time how to bend.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
The cut of this style fits curves effortlessly and adds an element of effortlessness.
—Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Combining a team of talented designers with extensive consumer research, Karat Home is staying ahead of the curve in design trends and preferences.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
Verb
Its shirttail hem curves down in the front and back, and princess seams along the sides and back create a slimming, contoured effect.
—Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Inside, highlights include a double-height foyer displaying a striking curving staircase, which flows to formal living and dining rooms.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024
The new approach measures the region of space-time that’s significantly curved by the proton.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
Empty lots and rice silos once dotted West Sacramento’s curving riverbank overlooking California’s capital city.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 4 Apr. 2024
The light of a star in the great distance, for instance, would seem to curve around a large object in front of it, nearer to us—like our Sun.
—Rebecca Boyle, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
The ball soared across the lawn, cleared the pool and seemed to curve mid-air before landing right in front of Ferrara, who caught it in his hands.
—Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
When a total solar eclipse starts to curve across New York state at about 3:17 p.m. on April 8, Jessica DeCerce will be somewhere near Buffalo.
—Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
New renderings show a circular façade bursting with blossoming florals and trees, alongside curving balconies.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024
Noun
Just as Tesla was ahead of the EV-adoption curve more than a decade ago, it is set up to be king of the battery boom.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2024
Staying on top of the learning curve will help maintain respect and a good reputation.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
Navigating a Major League Baseball season is all about buckling in for the roller coaster, knowing how to lean into the curves and stomach the drops.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
The merging tracks form a V-shape that nearly chokes the shag of tall trees within it, strong-arming nature in a way that is both willful and, in its undulating curves, almost seductive.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024
Yellow plunge bikinis, hot pink two-pieces, patchwork stringy numbers… Hayek has an impressive swimwear wardrobe, and the sort of next-level curves required to showcase it to best possible effect.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024
In Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which casts gravitational attraction as objects following curves in space-time, the energy-momentum tensor tells space-time how to bend.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
The cut of this style fits curves effortlessly and adds an element of effortlessness.
—Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Combining a team of talented designers with extensive consumer research, Karat Home is staying ahead of the curve in design trends and preferences.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near curve
Cite this Entry
“Curve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curve. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
curve
1 of 2 verb
curved; curving
1
: to turn or change from a straight line or course
the road curved to the left
2
: to cause to curve
curve
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a line especially when curved
b
: a line connecting points on a graph or in a coordinate system
2
: something that bends or turns without angles
a curve in the road
3
: a ball thrown so that it moves away from a straight course
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