WordLens

coil

1 of 2verb
/kɔɪl/
Forms:coils,coiling,coiled,coiled
1

to wind something in a circular or spiral manner

transitive
  • She coiled the rope neatly for storage.
  • The metal wire was coiled to form a spring.
  • The hairdresser coiled a section of hair into a tight spiral.
  • The electrical cord was coiled and secured with a tie.
  • The climber coiled the excess rope for a safer ascent.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
2

to move or flow in a manner characterized by spirals

  • The dancer's ribbon coiled gracefully through the air as she twirled and spun.
  • Right now, the smoke from the campfire is coiling gracefully into the night sky.
  • The DNA molecule coiled and uncoiled, revealing its intricate double helix structure.
  • The roller coaster track coiled and twisted, sending riders on a thrilling journey through loops and turns.
  • The kite soared high in the sky, its tail coiling and spiraling in the wind.
Synonyms:
3

to construct a vessel, typically a pot, using a technique that involves layering coils or ropes of clay on top of each other

transitive
  • The artisan potter decided to coil the clay rather than using a pottery wheel.
  • In her ceramics class, she learned how to coil pots using traditional methods passed down through generations of potters.
  • The students carefully coiled the clay to build the walls of their pots.