What does spiralling mean?
Spiralling describes a process that rises, expands, or intensifies rapidly, often with the suggestion that the development is becoming difficult or dangerous to control. Its most common figurative uses involve costs, prices, debt, demand, and other problems that seem to increase faster than anticipated. In literal contexts, spiralling can describe movement in a circular or upward path, as when smoke or dust turns in the air. The word is used in both formal reporting and ordinary conversation, with a strong connotation of escalating pressure or loss of control. The related verb spiral means to move in a spiral or to increase rapidly, while the noun spiral can refer to the shape, process, or an underlying pattern. Understanding spiralling is useful because it names not merely increase, but increase that gathers momentum and may become difficult to manage.
To increase or develop rapidly, often in an uncontrolled way; to move in a spiral.
"Housing prices continued to spiral beyond the reach of most first-time buyers."
The figurative sense is especially common in British English and is frequently used with costs, prices, debt, and problems.
Increasing or developing rapidly, especially in an escalating or uncontrolled way.
"The company reported spiralling operating costs and falling profits."
Often conveys a negative implication of growth that is becoming unsustainable or difficult to manage.
Spiralling captures the moment a manageable problem begins to climb faster than anyone can control.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spiralling come from?
The form spiralling is formed from spiral plus the present-participle ending -ing. Spiral comes from Latin spiralis, meaning winding or coiled, from spira, a coil or twist; this Latin word is generally derived from Greek speira, meaning a coil or twisted thread. The English verb and adjective developed from the noun and adjective spiral, while spiralling is the chiefly British present-participle form.
Related word forms
How spiralling is actually used
In modern British and American usage, spiralling is very often figurative, especially with costs, prices, debt, or problems. The British spelling has two l's; American usage commonly uses one l in spiraling, although spiralling is also recognized.
Easily confused with spiralling
Spiral is the base form and can be a noun, verb, or adjective, whereas spiralling is its present-participle form and commonly describes something increasing rapidly or uncontrollably.