tendril

noun

ten·​dril ˈten-drəl 

1

: a leaf, stipule, or stem modified into a slender spirally coiling sensitive organ serving to attach a climbing plant to its support

2

: something suggestive of a tendril

creeping tendrils of fog

tendriled adjective

or tendrilled

ˈten-drəld 

tendrilous

ˈten-drə-ləs 

adjective

Illustration of tendril

• tendril 1

Examples of tendril in a Sentence

A few tendrils of hair framed her face.

Recent Examples on the Web

Elsewhere, there are several shots that appear to be of the Upside Down, as well as a member of the crew applying dripping goo to some mysterious red tendrils. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 15 July 2024

Theron wore her blond locks pulled back with a few tendrils loose on one side and get her makeup simple with a dash of pink blush and a slightly darker pink lipstick. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 14 July 2024

Fire whirls are small rotating tendrils of flames or smoke that occur along the edges of fires. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 27 July 2024

The colorful designs invite you to have fun with these kinds of styles and take them to the next level, like the large fabric flower with the free-flowing tendrils. —Michel Mejía, Vogue, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of Middle French tendron bud, cartilage, alteration of Old French tenrum, from Vulgar Latin *tenerumen, from Latin tener tender — more at tender entry 1

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tendril

noun

ten·​dril ˈten-drəl 

1

: a slender leafless winding stem by which some climbing plants fasten themselves to a support

2

: something that curls like a tendril

tendrils of hair