furl

1 of 2

verb

ˈfər(-ə)l

furled; furling; furls

Synonyms of furl

transitive verb

: to wrap or roll (something, such as a sail or a flag) close to or around something

intransitive verb

: to curl or fold as in being furled

furl

2 of 2

Examples of furl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Verb

Fast-Track Sailing Kokomo was one of the first yachts to be fitted with a hydraulic batt-car system for furling the mainsail, which has cars at each batten end that slot in an outer track on the mast. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024

Eyebrows initially furled at the thought of turning the dystopian premise into a real game show, but Squid Game: The Challenge works surprisingly well within its limitations. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2024 My papa’s house furled and unfurled, high as a church steeple in some parts, and low as a dung beetle in others. —Okwiri Oduor, Harper's Magazine, 15 June 2022 At the tip of Shelter Island, several hundred dignitaries and well-wishers applauded when Sharon, dressed in pink and looking very dainty, hauled down the mainsail of her craft, furled it and docked with an ease no mail sailor could fault. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2019 If paper with a tendency to curl is packaged and stored furled around a core, the curl is set, much like a lock of hair around a curler. —New York Times, 25 May 2018 Ships sailing across the North Atlantic encounter storms, strong winds, and ocean currents, and a ship with its sails furled for the night could still drift off course by morning. —Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 6 Apr. 2018 Like their larger counterparts, these wee things can be furled and unfurled easily. —New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018

Noun

Pirate Yakuza proverbial monkey’s paw furls on providing a thrilling pirate life and crime simulator at the expense of a more coherent or emotional story. —Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025 Winehouse was entirely in her element, swaying to the sultry songs like a furl of smoke and improvising inflections on the lyrics with aplomb. —Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 18 May 2024 McDonnell’s brow furls slightly underneath his cap. —Chris MacIas -, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024 From every officer’s belt there dangled an insectlike furl of disposable plastic manacles. —Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019 Just look at Redbor kale, which is extravagantly purple, with rich pink in the stems, kinks of fuchsia in the veins, and furls of rosy curls. —Adrienne Rose Johnson, Bon Appetit, 15 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Anglo-French ferlier to fasten, from fer, ferm tight (from Latin firmus firm) + lier to tie, from Latin ligare — more at ligature

First Known Use

Verb

1556, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of furl was in 1556

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

furison

furl

Furlan

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Furl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/furl. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

furl

1 of 2 verb

ˈfər(ə-)l

: to wrap or roll (as a sail or a flag) close to or around something

furl

2 of 2 noun

: a furled coil

: the act of furling

furl

verb

noun

Examples of furl in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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furl

verb

noun

Examples of furl in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Share

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on furl

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