How Do You Spell CURVE?

Pronunciation: [kˈɜːv] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "curve" is a bit tricky, as it contains an irregular vowel sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for "curve" is /kɜrv/. The symbol /ɜ/ represents the schwa sound, which is an unstressed vowel sound that is commonly found in English. The "r" sound at the end of the word is also pronounced, which can sometimes be silent in other English words. Despite its unusual spelling, "curve" is a commonly used word in everyday language, referring to a bent or curved line or surface.

CURVE Meaning and Definition

  1. A curve is a geometric shape that is not straight or composed of straight lines, characterized by a consistent and gradual deviation from a straight path or line. It is often represented by a continuous line that smoothly changes direction or curvature. Curves can be found in various natural and man-made objects and phenomena, such as rivers, roads, body contours, and waves.

    In mathematics, a curve is defined as a continuous and infinite sequence of points in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. These points do not necessarily need to lie on a single straight line but can take any shape or form. Mathematical curves are often studied and described through different equations or parametric equations, allowing a systematic representation and analysis of their properties and behavior.

    Curves also find extensive applications in various fields such as engineering, physics, and computer graphics. They are used for designing smooth and aesthetically pleasing shapes in architecture and product design. Curves are also crucial in understanding the motion of objects, as they help define trajectories and paths.

    Overall, a curve is a curved line or shape that deviates from a straight line, possessing gradual changes in direction or curvature. It serves as a fundamental concept in mathematics, representing continuous and infinite sequences of points, and plays a significant role in numerous disciplines and practical applications.

  2. • Crooked; bent.
    • Anything bent; part of a circle; an arched line.
    • To bend; to crook; to make circular.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CURVE *

* 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.

Other Common Misspellings for CURVE

Etymology of CURVE

The word curve has its origins in the Latin word curvus. This Latin term also came from the Proto-Indo-European root kerp, which means to bend or to turn. The term curve entered the English language through Old French, where it was spelled as curve or courbe. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved to the modern form curve.

Idioms with the word CURVE

  • curve to sth The idiom "curve to something" refers to the act of moving or shaping in a curving direction towards a particular thing or goal. It implies a deviation or change of course from a straight or expected path towards achieving a desired outcome. Thus, it signifies adapting or adjusting one's actions or approach in order to align with a specific objective or purpose.
  • ahead of the curve The idiom "ahead of the curve" means to be more advanced, innovative, or successful than others in a particular field or area. It refers to being ahead in terms of knowledge, skills, ideas, or trends, often implying a competitive advantage or being ahead of the prevailing trend or conventional wisdom.
  • on a curve The idiom "on a curve" refers to a situation or context where standards or expectations are adjusted or lowered to accommodate someone who is below the normal level. It implies that the person or thing in question is being evaluated or judged based on a relative scale rather than an absolute one. It often implies leniency or allowance for a lesser performance or achievement.
  • ahead of/behind the curve The idiom "ahead of/behind the curve" refers to someone or something being ahead or behind the average level of progress or trend. It indicates whether someone or something is more advanced or up-to-date (ahead of the curve) or less advanced or outdated (behind the curve) in terms of knowledge, understanding, skills, technology, or trends. It often relates to the ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in a given field or industry.
  • above the curve The idiom "above the curve" means to be more advanced, knowledgeable, or skilled than most others in a particular field or area. It refers to being ahead of the current trends or developments, surpassing the usual or average level of expertise or understanding.
  • a curve ball The idiom "a curve ball" refers to an unexpected or surprising event or situation that differs from what was anticipated or predicted. It originates from the sport of baseball, where a curve ball is a type of pitch that curves instead of following a straight path, making it difficult for the batter to hit. In a broader sense, the idiom implies a deviation from the norm or a challenge that requires quick thinking and adaptation.
  • curve to The idiom "curve to" typically refers to the act of adjusting or altering one's behavior or actions to conform to certain expectations or standards in order to achieve a desired outcome. It implies adapting or flexing one's approach in a way that deviates from the original or natural path, in order to better fit a specific situation or circumstance.
  • curve to something To "curve to something" means to deviate or bend towards a particular direction or outcome. It suggests going off the intended or expected path and taking a different route or approach. It implies a shift or change in direction that may be non-linear or unexpected.
  • Laffer curve The "Laffer curve" is an economic theory that illustrates the relationship between tax rates and tax revenue. It suggests that, though initially tax revenue increases with higher tax rates, there is a point at which further tax rate increases will lead to a decrease in revenue. This theory suggests that there is an optimal tax rate that maximizes government revenue, beyond which increasing tax rates becomes counterproductive. The concept was popularized by economist Arthur Laffer in the 1970s.
  • pitch sm a curve(ball) The idiom "pitch someone a curve(ball)" means to surprise or deceive someone with an unexpected or unconventional move or tactic, typically to gain an advantage or catch them off guard. It originated from baseball, where a pitcher intentionally throws a pitch that curves in an unpredictable manner, making it difficult for the batter to hit. In a broader sense, it refers to any situation where someone is caught off guard or faced with an unexpected challenge or obstacle.
  • throw someone a curve The idiom "throw someone a curve" means to surprise or deceive someone with an unexpected or tricky situation, often causing confusion or difficulty for them. It is derived from the unexpected twists and turns of a curveball in baseball, which can be challenging to hit or predict.
  • behind (or ahead of) the curve The idiom "behind the curve" refers to being slower or less advanced in comparison to others or current trends. It suggests someone or something is lagging behind in knowledge, understanding, or progress. On the other hand, "ahead of the curve" means to be more advanced or ahead of others in terms of knowledge, understanding, or keeping up with trends. It implies being innovative, progressive, or well-informed.
  • throw sm a curve The idiom "throw someone a curve" typically means to surprise or deceive someone by doing or saying something unexpected or unpredicted. It refers to the sudden change of circumstances or the introduction of an unexpected challenge that can confuse or catch someone off guard.
  • throw (sb) a curve (ball) The idiom "throw (sb) a curveball" means to surprise or deceive someone by doing or saying something unexpected or challenging. It often refers to situations where someone is caught off guard or faced with an unexpected obstacle or challenge that they were not prepared for. The term originated from baseball, where a curveball is a pitch that is difficult to predict and requires a different approach to hitting than a regular pitch.
  • behind the curve The idiom "behind the curve" refers to someone or something being lagging or falling behind others in terms of progress, knowledge, or success. It implies being inefficient or outdated compared to the prevailing standards or expectations.
  • throw someone a curve ball The idiom "throw someone a curve ball" means to present someone with an unexpected or difficult situation that catches them off guard or challenges their expectations. It refers to the unpredictability and surprise factor associated with the game of baseball when a pitcher throws a curveball, which can be difficult for a batter to hit due to its curved path.
  • throw a curve The idiom "throw a curve" means to surprise or deceive someone by doing or saying something unexpected or unusual. It is often used in situations where someone introduces a twist or complication that catches others off guard.
  • pitch someone a curve(ball) The idiom "pitch someone a curve(ball)" means to surprise or deceive someone by doing or saying something unexpected or unpredictable. It refers to the tactic in baseball where a pitch appears to move in one direction but unexpectedly curves, making it difficult for the batter to hit. In a broader sense, it refers to any situation where someone is caught off guard or thrown off balance by an unexpected twist or turn of events.
  • throw sb a curve The idiom "throw someone a curve" means to surprise or deceive someone by doing something unexpected or out of the ordinary that goes against their expectations. It can also refer to intentionally challenging someone or intentionally making a situation difficult for them.
  • Laf·fer curve The Laffer curve is a theoretical representation of the relationship between government revenue raised by taxation and all possible rates of taxation. It suggests that there is an optimal tax rate that maximizes government revenue, beyond which increasing tax rates will lead to a decrease in revenue. The curve is named after economist Arthur Laffer, who popularized the idea in the 1980s.

Similar spelling words for CURVE

Plural form of CURVE is CURVES

Conjugate verb Curve

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have curved
you would have curved
he/she/it would have curved
we would have curved
they would have curved
I would have curve
you would have curve
he/she/it would have curve
we would have curve
they would have curve

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been curving
you would have been curving
he/she/it would have been curving
we would have been curving
they would have been curving

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would curve
you would curve
he/she/it would curve
we would curve
they would curve

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be curving
you would be curving
he/she/it would be curving
we would be curving
they would be curving

FUTURE

I will curve
you will curve
he/she/it will curve
we will curve
they will curve

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be curving
you will be curving
he/she/it will be curving
we will be curving
they will be curving

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have curved
you will have curved
he/she/it will have curved
we will have curved
they will have curved

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been curving
you will have been curving
he/she/it will have been curving
we will have been curving
they will have been curving

IMPERATIVE

you curve
we let´s curve

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to curve

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was curving
you were curving
he/she/it was curving
we were curving
they were curving

PAST PARTICIPLE

curved

PAST PERFECT

I had curved
you had curved
he/she/it had curved
we had curved
they had curved

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been curving
you had been curving
he/she/it had been curving
we had been curving
they had been curving

PRESENT

I curve
you curve
he/she/it curves
we curve
they curve

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am curving
you are curving
he/she/it is curving
we are curving
they are curving

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

curving

PRESENT PERFECT

I have curved
you have curved
he/she/it has curved
we have curved
they have curved

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been curving
you have been curving
he/she/it has been curving
we have been curving
they have been curving

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it curve

SIMPLE PAST

I curved
you curved
he/she/it curved
we curved
they curved

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