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7 VERB If a person or animal curls into a ball, they move into a position in which their body makes a rounded shape. □ [V + into ] He wanted to curl into a tiny ball. □ [V -ed] The kitten was curled on a cushion on the sofa. ● PHRASAL VERB Curl up means the same as curl . □ [V P + into ] In colder weather, your cat will curl up into a tight, heat-conserving ball. □ [V P ] She curled up next to him. □ [V -ed P ] He was asleep there, curled up in the fetal position.

8 VERB When a leaf, a piece of paper, or another flat object curls , its edges bend towards the centre. □ [V ] The rose leaves have curled because of an attack by grubs. ● PHRASAL VERB Curl up means the same as curl . □ [V P ] The corners of the lino were curling up.

▸  curl up → see curl 7 , curl 8

curl|er /kɜː ^r lə ^r / (curlers ) N‑COUNT Curlers are small plastic or metal tubes that women roll their hair round in order to make it curly. □  …a woman with her hair in curlers.

cur|lew /kɜː ^r ljuː/ (curlews ) N‑COUNT A curlew is a large brown bird with long legs and a long curved beak. Curlews live near water and have a very distinctive cry.

cur|li|cue /kɜː ^r l I kjuː/ (curlicues ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Curlicues are decorative twists and curls, usually carved or made with a pen. [LITERARY ] □  …the gothic curlicues of cottages and churches.

curly /kɜː ^r li/ (curlier , curliest )

1 ADJ Curly hair is full of curls. □  I've got naturally curly hair. □  Her hair was dark and curly.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Curly is sometimes used to describe things that are curved or spiral in shape. □  …cauliflowers with extra-long curly leaves. □  …dragons with curly tails.

cur|mudg|eon /kə ^r mʌ dʒən/ (curmudgeons ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a curmudgeon , you do not like them because they are mean or bad-tempered. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ] □  …such a terrible old curmudgeon.

cur|mudg|eon|ly /kə ^r mʌ dʒənli/ ADJ If you describe someone as curmudgeonly , you do not like them because they are mean or bad-tempered. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]

cur|rant /kʌ rənt, [AM ] kɜː r-/ (currants )

1 N‑COUNT Currants are small dried black grapes, used especially in cakes.

2 N‑COUNT Currants are bushes which produce edible red, black, or white berries. The berries are also called currants .

3 → see also blackcurrant , redcurrant

cur|ren|cy ◆◇◇ /kʌ rənsi, [AM ] kɜː r-/ (currencies )

1 N‑VAR The money used in a particular country is referred to as its currency . □  Tourism is the country's top earner of foreign currency. □  A deficit is likely to lead to a fall in the value of a currency.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If a custom, idea, or word has currency , it is used and accepted by a lot of people at a particular time. [FORMAL ] □  'Loop' is one of those computer words that has gained currency in society.

3 → see also common currency

cur|rent ◆◆◆ /kʌ rənt, [AM ] kɜ ːr-/ (currents )

1 N‑COUNT A current is a steady and continuous flowing movement of some of the water in a river, lake, or sea. □ [+ of ] Under normal conditions, the ocean currents of the tropical Pacific travel from east to west. □  The couple were swept away by the strong current.

2 N‑COUNT A current is a steady flowing movement of air. □ [+ of ] I felt a current of cool air blowing in my face.

3 N‑COUNT An electric current is a flow of electricity through a wire or circuit. □  A powerful electric current is passed through a piece of graphite.

4 N‑COUNT A particular current is a particular feeling, idea, or quality that exists within a group of people. □ [+ of ] Each party represents a distinct current of thought.