spiral

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈspaɪrəl/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

Singular spiral

Plural spirals

A spiral shape

Three lollipops with spiral shapes

1. (countable) A spiral is a shape that has a curve that curves closer and closer to a point until it stops.

Verb

Plain form spiral

Third-person singular spirals

Past tense spiraled

Past participle spiraled

Present participle spiraling

Plain form spiral

Third-person singular spirals

Past tense spiralled

Past participle spiralled

Present participle spiralling

1. (transitive) If something is spirals, it moves along the path of a spiral or helix.

   The falling leaves spiraled down from the tree.

2. (transitive) (figurative) If something spirals, it increases or decreases dramatically.

   Her debts were spiraling out of control.