furled; furling; furls
: to wrap or roll (something, such as a sail or a flag) close to or around something
: to curl or fold as in being furled
Examples of furl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Read More: Meet the Comb Jelly, the Sister Species of All Animals
Switching Distant Genes On and Off
For long-distance gene regulation, or distal regulation, to work, DNA has to be folded or furled into intricate loops.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 May 2025
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
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
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
Suddenly, billowing puffs of pollen furl out from the pine’s branches and float through the air like a fluffy, yellow cloud.
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 10 May 2018
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
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Verb
Visitors can see traditional sailor activities including furling sail, ropemaking, knot-tying and hauling lines aboard the historic Star of India.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Read More: Meet the Comb Jelly, the Sister Species of All Animals
Switching Distant Genes On and Off
For long-distance gene regulation, or distal regulation, to work, DNA has to be folded or furled into intricate loops.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 May 2025
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
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
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
Suddenly, billowing puffs of pollen furl out from the pine’s branches and float through the air like a fluffy, yellow cloud.
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 10 May 2018
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
Cite this Entry
“Furl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/furl. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
furl
1 of 2 verb
: to wrap or roll (as a sail or a flag) close to or around something
furl
2 of 2 noun1
: a furled coil
2
: the act of furling
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