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spiral

spiral

22 3.5
A curved shape that winds around a center and moves outward or inward
  • noun
  • /ˈspaɪrəl/
: espiral
  • The snail's shell forms a beautiful spiral shape, showcasing nature's intricate designs.
  • a spiral shape
  • arm of a spiral
  • wound spirals

If Trader Joe's still had their carrot spirals, it would be easy Top.

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Examples

  • Drowsily, Paracelsus got up, climbed the short spiral staircase, and opened the door.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • And so basically we will have a spiral that would look like this.

  • You want a cool, tight spiral.

  • After ten minutes, they reached a spiral ramp that led both up and down.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The Greek symbol for the golden ratio, the golden spiral.

  • We had knocked out a wall and put in a bar and a spiral staircase.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • A burnished wood staircase rose in a spiral from the center of the foyer.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The architect designed a stunning spiral staircase that became the focal point of the building.

  • In geometry class, we learned how to calculate the area of a spiral shape.

Synonyms

swirl
vsspiral
39 2.7

A twisting, spiral shape like smoke or cream in coffee

is a slow steady curve that moves gradually around a center
coil
vsspiral
14 3.7

A length of wire or rope wound in loops

is the abstract shape concept rather than a physical wound object
helix
vsspiral
13 6.0

A spiral shape that winds around like a spring or staircase

is a flat center-based curve that moves gradually outward or inward
scroll
vsspiral
5 4.8

A spiral or curled shape often used as a decoration

is the broader geometric curve rather than only decorative use
whorl
vsspiral
4 8.1

A spiral pattern seen in hair, leaves or smoke

is the single curving line around a center not an arranged pattern
curlicue
vsspiral
3 7.9

A small decorative curl or twist in handwriting

is the plain geometric or natural curve rather than a tiny ornament
winding
vsspiral
1 3.1

A curved part of a road or river

is the center-based curve that specifically moves outward or inward
volute
vsspiral
  • Specialized
1 9.4

A spiral or coil shape found in shells, machines, and buildings

is the general geometric curve rather than an architectural detail

Compounds

8 8.4

A situation that gets worse and worse until it fails completely

spiral galaxy
  • Specialized
6 5.9

A large group of stars with a bright center and curved arms that wind outward

A notebook with a metal or plastic wire along one side that lets pages turn easily

deflationary spiral
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A situation when falling prices and wages cause more falls and make the economy worse

A situation that keeps getting better over time

spiral nebula
  • Archaic
1 8.1

A large group of stars in a flat spiral shape with arms of young stars around an older centre

Prices and wages rise quickly and keep rising so money buys less

1 8.4

A hand tool that turns screws when you press its spiral handle down

spiral spring
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A wire coiled into a spiral that stores and releases energy to make things turn

spiral bandage
  • Specialized
3.9

A strip of cloth wrapped in overlapping turns around a limb like an arm

How Coiled

helix
13 6.0
spiral
22 3.5
to coil
12 3.8
to curve
41 2.8

Surface Forms

spiral singular
spirals plural

Etymology

Spiral comes from the Latin word spira and the Greek speira, both meaning 'coil' or 'twist'. Think of a line wound around a centre like a rope, which is why the word names a curve or shape that winds in or out.