spiral

B1 Topic:General Vocabulary

US /ˈspɑɪɹəl/ UK /ˈspaɪɹəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #10531

Meanings

1

noun
A curve that winds around a central point, getting wider or moving along as it turns.

The staircase climbed in a tight spiral to the top of the tower.
2

adj
Winding in a continuous curve around a center, like a coil.

The shell had a beautiful spiral pattern.
3

verb
To move in a winding, circular path.

The falling leaves spiraled down from the tree.
4

verb
To increase or get worse in a continuous, uncontrolled way.

Her debts were spiraling out of control.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 adj · winding in a continuous... coiledwhorled

3 verb · to move in a winding,... gyrate

Word family

Forms spiraledspiralingspiralledspirallingspirallyspirals

Related forms aspirin spirea

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

spiral galaxy
a galaxy with arms that wind outward from its central region

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle French spirale, from Medieval Latin spiralis, from Latin spīra, from Ancient Greek σπεῖρα (speîra, “wreath, coil, twist”).

spirale Middle French spiralis la-med spīra Latin σπεῖρα Ancient Greek

View etymology graph ->

Topics

General Vocabulary

External links

# spiral

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** noun, adj, verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈspɑɪɹəl/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈspaɪɹəl/
**Frequency rank:** 10531

## Meanings
1. A curve that winds around a central point, getting wider or moving along as it turns.
2. Winding in a continuous curve around a center, like a coil.
3. To move in a winding, circular path.
4. To increase or get worse in a continuous, uncontrolled way.

## Examples
- The staircase climbed in a tight spiral to the top of the tower.
- The shell had a beautiful spiral pattern.
- The falling leaves spiraled down from the tree.
- Her debts were spiraling out of control.

## Related Forms
- aspirin
- spirea

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: spirale
- Root: spiralis
- Root: spīra
- Root: σπεῖρα

## Etymology
From Middle French spirale, from Medieval Latin spiralis, from Latin spīra, from Ancient Greek σπεῖρα (speîra, “wreath, coil, twist”).

## AI Etymology
Spiral is from Middle French spirale, from Medieval Latin spiralis, from Latin spīra, from Ancient Greek σπεῖρα (speîra, “wreath, coil, twist”). Important forms in the word's history include Middle French spirale, la-med spiralis, Latin spīra, Ancient Greek σπεῖρα. In current use it includes senses such as A curve that winds around a central point, getting wider or moving along as it turns and Winding in a continuous curve around a center, like a coil.

## Topics
- General Vocabulary

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