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

Astronomers have obtained the deepest and highest resolution image of the galaxy cluster Abell 2255, observing the unexplained radio-emitting tendrils that trail it in unprecedented detail. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 June 2025

The Lime began to put up a column, meaning that all the threads and tendrils and wisps of smoke rising from every burning bush and tree and blade of grass braided together, billowing and twisting, climbing the sky, forming a pillar of smoke that tied the earth to the stratosphere. —Literary Hub, 18 June 2025

Photo: Getty Images The auburn tendrils are practically a carbon copy of Peters's hairstyle, and the dress, while not an exact recreation, very intentionally recalls her gown. —Marci Robin, Allure, 9 June 2025

Musashi clears the tendril, enters another battle, and parries the Genma with ease. —Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 11 June 2025

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