Spiral meaning

What does “spiral” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“spiral” is a noun, verb and adjective with 10 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center.

spiral

noun

  1. a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center

  2. a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle

    Synonymshelix
  3. a continuously accelerating change in the economy

  4. ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center

    Synonymsvolute
  5. a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops

    “a coil of rope”

  6. flying downward in a helical path with a large radius

verb

  1. to wind or move in a spiral course

    “the muscles and nerves of his fine drawn body were coiling for action”

    “black smoke coiling up into the sky”

    Synonymsgyratecoil
  2. form a spiral

    “The path spirals up the mountain”

  3. move in a spiral or zigzag course

    Synonymscorkscrew

adjective

  1. in the shape of a coil

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University