What does undulate mean?
Undulate means to move or lie in a succession of smooth, wave-like motions. The word is especially evocative when describing something broad and flowing, such as a field of grain moving in the wind, a ribbon of fog crossing a landscape, or a body of water rising and falling in low swells. It can also refer to a surface whose outline itself has a gently wavy character. In its adjective use, undulate means wavy or rippling. The verb is common in descriptive writing and carries a graceful, measured quality, suggesting movement that is continuous and flexible rather than abrupt. Although related to ordinary words such as wave, sway, and ripple, undulate often adds a more refined or literary tone. It comes from Latin undulare, a verb associated with undula, meaning a small wave, which is itself related to unda, meaning wave.
To move, rise, or fall in a series of smooth waves; to wave.
"The long grass undulated as the hikers passed."
Common in descriptive and literary contexts, especially for movement that is smooth and flowing.
Wavy; rippling; having a series of smooth wave-like forms.
"The undulate surface of the dunes caught the morning light."
Less common than the verb and somewhat literary or poetic.
Undulate captures the elegant motion of something flowing in smooth, alternating waves.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does undulate come from?
Undulate derives from Latin undulare, meaning to move in waves, from undula, a diminutive of unda, meaning wave. The word entered English in the early 17th century in the sense of moving or forming waves. Its related forms, including undulation and undulatory, preserve the same Latin root. The root also appears in words such as undulous and undular, which describe a wavy or wave-like quality.
Related word forms
How undulate is actually used
Undulate is especially effective in descriptive and literary writing. It conveys a smooth, flowing motion rather than a sharp or irregular movement, and it is commonly used for fields, water, fabric, smoke, and human movement.