Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

curve

Pronunciation: /kəːv/

Translate curve | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of curve

noun

  • a line or outline which gradually deviates from being straight for some or all of its length:the parapet wall sweeps down in a bold curve
  • North American a place where a road deviates from a straight path:the vehicle rounded a curve
  • (curves) a curving contour of a woman’s figure: her dress twisted tightly round her generous curves
  • a line on a graph (whether straight or curved) showing how one quantity varies with respect to another:the population curve
  • (also curve ball) Baseball a delivery in which the pitcher causes the ball to deviate from a straight path by imparting spin: he relies on a couple of curves and a modest fastball

verb

  • form or cause to form a curve: [no object]:her mouth curved in a smile [with object]:starting with arms outstretched, curve the body sideways

Phrases

ahead of (or behind) the curve

(especially of a business or politician) ahead of (or lagging behind) current thinking or trends:we are continually looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve and provide added value to our consumers

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin curvare 'to bend', from curvus 'bent'. The noun dates from the late 17th century

curve in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of curve in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite

More words in this category

Word of the day

offing

/ ˈɒfɪŋ /
noun
the more distant part of the sea in view …