curling

[ kur-ling ]

noun

1. a game played on ice in which two teams of four players each compete in sliding curling stones toward a mark in the center of a circular target.

curling

/ ˈkɜːlɪŋ /

noun

1. a game played on ice, esp in Scotland and Canada, in which heavy stones with handles ( curling stones ) are slid towards a target ( tee )

Word History and Origins

Origin of curling¹

First recorded in 1610–20; perhaps curl + -ing ¹, from the motion imparted to the sliding stones

Example Sentences

“The DUFF” star shared a photo of the little guy curling his toes around an adult’s finger.

From Los Angeles Times

She found black-and-white photos curling at the edges in the garage.

From Los Angeles Times

When this Season 21 episode first aired, only one U.S. curling team had ever earned a medal at the Olympics.

From Los Angeles Times

The question curling the edges of this search, however, is whether Tekla even wants to be found.

From Los Angeles Times

When she and Dr. Tessler analyzed the leech’s movement, they identified that it made a curling motion similar to the move a cobra makes before it strikes.

From New York Times

Related Words

• crooked
• curved
• meandering
• sinuous
• twisting
• winding

More About Curling

What is curling?

Curling is a sport, played on ice, that involves trying to slide a heavy round stone object (called a curling stone) to the center of a target area on the ice.

It is typically played by two four-player teams. Teams take turns sliding stones (which have a handle and are usually made of granite) toward the circular target area (the area is known as the house and its center is known as the button or the tee). Points are scored by the team that gets a stone closest to the button. Any other stones that are closer than the opposing team’s closest stone also result in points.

During each turn, one player slides a stone down the ice while up to three of the other players on the team slide along with the stone while attempting to manipulate its speed and direction by sweeping the ice in its path with broomlike brushes. Sweeping the ice helps the stone to travel farther and straighter.

Strategy involves not only placing one’s own stones, but also knocking away opponent’s stones.

Curling matches, sometimes called bonspiels, consist of multiple rounds, with multiple stone slides from each team during each round.

Curling is an event in the Winter Olympics. Wheelchair curling is an event in the Paralympic Winter Games.

Curling is especially popular in Scotland, Canada, and some Scandinavian countries.

Example: The Winter Olympics are coming up, which means I’ll be watching a lot of curling.

Where does curling come from?

The first records of the word curling in reference to the sport come from the early 1600s. The name is based on the verb curl in reference to how the stones tend to curl (curve) at the end of their path.

Curling is believed to have originated in the 1500s in Scotland. The international curling organization known as the World Curling Federation was established in 1838 (then called the Grand Caledonian Curling Club and later the International Curling Federation).

Curling was an event at the first Winter Olympic games in 1924, but did not return as a full Olympic event until the 1998 Winter Olympics. Both men’s and women’s competitions have been featured at every Winter Olympics since.

The most prestigious annual curling event is the World Curling Championships, which features international competition.

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with curling? 

• curling stone
• curl
• curler

What are some words that often get used in discussing curling?

• Winter Olympics
• bonspiel
• button
• house
• ice

How is curling used in real life?

Curling is particularly popular in Scotland and Canada. It usually enters mainstream awareness around the time of the Winter Olympics, with many casual spectators enjoying its novelty.

It draws huge crowds at the Canada Games and is enjoyed by millions of Canadians. Tonight we'll look at the growing popularity of curling!

— CTV News at 5 (@CTV_Liveat5) February 22, 2011

Husband is very excited that Canada won the men's and women's world curling championship ! He tapes it and watches in fast forward.

— Sandy Rogen (@RogenSandy) April 10, 2017

I am really Pumped watching the Winter Olympics. I am watching events I never thought I would watch before, like curling. You heard me, curling Fool!

— Mr. T (@MrT) February 11, 2018

 

Try using curling!

In curling, what is the circular target area called?

A. the square
B. the curlicue
C. the bullseye
D. the house