What does curvaceously mean?
"Curvaceously" is an adverb meaning in a curvaceous manner — that is, with or in a way that shows off full, pleasingly rounded curves. Derived from the adjective "curvaceous," which describes a voluptuous figure, it typically appears in fashion journalism, beauty and celebrity writing, and descriptive prose about clothing, photography, or design that accentuates a shapely silhouette. Although most often applied to women's figures, where it connotes allure and glamour, the word can also be used more neutrally for inanimate objects whose design features sweeping, rounded lines, such as an automobile's bodywork or a piece of architecture. The term belongs to a family rooted in the Latin "curvus" (bent, curved), which also gave English "curve" and "curvature." It is informal-to-moderate in register and generally complimentary rather than clinical, making it a vivid choice when a writer wants to emphasize graceful, sensuous roundness rather than mere shape.
adverbIn a curvaceous manner; with an attractively full, rounded figure or shape, especially of a woman's body.
- In a way that displays or emphasizes attractive, full, rounded curves, especially of a woman's figure.
"The gown was cut to drape curvaceously over her figure."
"The vintage Hollywood gown hugged her curvaceously in all the right places."
"The sports car was designed with curvaceously flowing lines along its bodywork."
Born from the Latin word for a bent line, "curvaceously" turns geometry into glamour — proof that even adjectives about curves needed an adjective of their own.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of curvaceously
"Curvaceously" derives from the adjective "curvaceous," formed in early twentieth-century American English from the Latin root "curvus," meaning bent or crooked, the same source as English "curve." The suffix -ous, denoting abundance or fullness, combined with "curve" to suggest a figure generously endowed with curves; the adverbial form followed naturally. Cognates sharing the Latin root include "curvature," "incurvate," and the everyday word "curve" itself.
Related word forms
How curvaceously is actually used
Informal to moderately formal register; most often encountered in fashion, beauty writing, and descriptive prose. When applied to objects rather than people (as with car design), it carries a neutral, aesthetic connotation rather than a sensual one.
Easily confused with curvaceously
"Curvaceous" is the adjective describing a full, rounded shape, while "curvaceously" is its adverb form describing how something is done or appears.