Find Synonyms
curly Synonyms
Another word for curly
Choosing another word for curly depends on context, so the 24 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• adjective (Context 1)
Having or growing in curls, spirals, or ringlets, especially with reference to hair.
Usage Example
"The young girl brushed her thick, curled hair before posing for the school portrait."
Strongest
curled
ringleted
Strong
wavy
kinky
frizzy
crimped
coiled
crisped
spiraled
• adjective (Context 2)
Having a wavy, rippled, or twisted grain in the wood (used of timber such as maple or birch).
Usage Example
"The luthier selected a piece of figured maple for the back of the handcrafted violin."
Strongest
figured
wavy-grained
Strong
rippled
burled
mottled
• adjective (Context 3)
Complex, difficult, or tricky to answer or resolve (informal, also used in New Zealand).
Usage Example
"The journalist asked the minister a tricky question about the new budget deficit."
Strongest
tricky
thorny
sticky
knotty
Strong
tough
difficult
awkward
complex
convoluted
hard
Opposites of curly
The opposite of curly shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
straight
straightforward
straight-grained
easy
simple
uncomplicated
clear-cut
lank
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Curly. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/curly