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Definition of tendril

tendril

/ˈtɛn.drəl/
ten · dril
Plural:tendrils
•
Adjective:tendrilled
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tendril Lexical Profile

tendril Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A slender, thread-like appendage or modified leaf, stem, or petiole of a climbing plant that coils around a support to anchor the plant as it grows.

Example

"The grapevine wrapped its green tendrils tightly around the wooden trellis."

2

Something thin, curling, or wisp-like that resembles a coiling plant shoot, such as a loose lock of hair or a curling wisp of smoke or mist.

Example

"A delicate tendril of dark hair escaped from her braided bun and framed her cheek."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tendril

• Rhymes for tendril

• Nearby Words

tenderness
tendinitis
tendon
tendril
tenement
tenet
tenfold

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Middle French tendrille ('delicate shoot'), a diminutive of tendre ('tender'), ultimately from Latin tener ('soft, delicate').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tendril. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tendril
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