What does curlier mean?
"Curlier" is the comparative form of the adjective "curly," which describes hair, fur, or other materials marked by curls or ringlets. When something is curlier, it has more curls, tighter coils, or a stronger tendency to curl than another thing — as when a child's hair grows curlier over time, or when humidity makes one person's hair curlier than another's. The word belongs to everyday, conversational English rather than formal writing, appearing most often in talk about hairstyles, pets, and textures of wool or fabric. It follows the standard pattern of forming comparatives from two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the y to i and add -er, giving curly, curlier, curliest. Its antonyms include straighter and sleeker. A related but distinct word is "curler," a noun for a device used to set hair in curls, with which "curlier" should not be confused despite their similar spelling.
adjectiveThe comparative form of the adjective 'curly', describing hair, fur, or other things as having more curls or a greater degree of curliness than something else.
- Having more curls or a greater degree of curl than something else (comparative of 'curly').
"After the humid afternoon, her hair was even curlier than usual."
"The poodle puppy's fur grew curlier with every passing week."
"Of the two brothers, the younger had noticeably curlier hair."
It's one of those rare comparatives that sounds like it could be someone's surname — but it just means your hair lost the battle with humidity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of curlier
The word derives from "curly," formed in English from the verb "curl," which entered English in the late Middle Ages, probably from Middle Dutch or Low German "krul"/"kurle", of Germanic origin. "Curly" itself appeared in English around the early 17th century, and "curlier" arose naturally as its comparative through regular English inflection. Cognates sharing this Germanic root include Dutch "krul" (a curl) and related words such as "cruller" (the fried pastry named for its curled shape).
Related word forms
How curlier is actually used
Strictly a comparative form; used when comparing two things or in constructions like 'ever curlier'. In informal speech, some speakers use 'curlier' and 'more curly' interchangeably.
Easily confused with curlier
A 'curler' is a noun meaning an implement or person that curls hair, while 'curlier' is the comparative adjective meaning more curly.