Pronunciation: [kˈɜːli] (IPA) 
Curly is spelled with a "c" followed by a "u" and "r" which represent the sounds /k/ and /ɝ/ respectively. The final "ly" represents the sound /li/. The IPA phonetic transcription for curly is /ˈkɜrli/, with the stress on the first syllable. This word refers to something that is full of curls or having a curly shape. It can be used to describe hair, as in "her curly locks," or objects with curly edges or shapes, such as "curly fries."
Curly is an adjective used to describe something that has curls or a curved shape. It is commonly associated with hair, referring to locks or strands of hair that form tight, spring-like coils or waves. Curly hair typically has a distinct texture characterized by its tendency to bounce back and retain its shape even when stretched or combed. This type of hair can range from loose curls to tightly coiled patterns, each unique to an individual's genetic makeup. People with curly hair often face challenges such as frizz, tangles, and dryness, requiring specialized care and products.
Beyond hair, curly can also describe the shape or form of other objects or natural phenomena. For instance, a curly leaf or plant tends to have twisted or wavy edges, while a curly bracket is a punctuation mark ({) resembling a mirror image of the letter "C," used in mathematics or computer programming to group elements together. In nature, there are also plants or vines that exhibit curly tendrils, enabling them to latch onto or climb nearby structures.
Overall, curly is a versatile term that signifies things with twists, coils, or waves, be it hair, shapes, or even punctuation marks.
Having curls; full of ripples.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word curly comes from the Old English word cyrnel, which means a small coil or a ringlet. The Middle English version of the word was curli, and it eventually evolved into the modern term curly.
