curl

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 to form or make sth form into a curl or curls: [V] His hair curls naturally. [also VN] 2 [usually +adv./prep.] to form or make sth form into a curved shape: [V] The cat curled into a ball and went to sleep. * [VN] She curled her legs up under her. 3 [usually +adv./prep.] to move while forming into a twisted or curved shape; to make sth do this: [V] The smoke curled steadily upwards. * The honeysuckle curled around the trunk of the apple tree. * [VN] He turned and curled the ball around the goalkeeper. 4 [V, VN] if you curl your lip or your lip curls, you move your lip upwards and sideways to show that you think sb/sth is stupid or that you are better than they are IDIOMS see TOEn. PHRASALVERBS curl up