purl
1 Americanverb (used with or without object)
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Knitting. to knit with a reverse stitch.
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to finish with loops or a looped edging.
noun
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Knitting. a basic stitch in knitting, the reverse of the knit, formed by pulling a loop of the working yarn back through an existing stitch and then slipping that stitch off the needle.
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one of a series of small loops along the edge of lace braid.
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thread made of twisted gold or silver wire.
verb (used without object)
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to flow with curling or rippling motion, as a shallow stream does over stones.
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to flow with a murmuring sound.
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to pass in a manner or with a sound likened to this.
noun
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the action or sound of purling.
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a circle or curl made by the motion of water; a circular ripple; eddy.
noun
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Also called: purl stitch. a knitting stitch made by doing a plain stitch backwards
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a decorative border, as of lace
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gold or silver wire thread
verb
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to knit (a row or garment) in purl stitch
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to edge (something) with a purl
verb
noun
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a curling movement of water; eddy
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a murmuring sound, as of a shallow stream
Etymology
Origin of purl1
First recorded in 1350–1400 purl 1 for def. 5; origin obscure; probably variant of obsolete or dialect pirl “to twist (threads, etc.) into a cord”
Origin of purl2
First recorded in 1545–55; origin uncertain; probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish porla, Norwegian purla “to bubble up, gush”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That’s harmless if you’re a knitting hobbyist who might overestimate how many fellow citizens know the difference between a knit and a purl stitch.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026
The only sounds are our own voices, the crackle of the fire, the purl of the river, the dull drone of the barges, and the constant chorus of bullfrogs, birds, bugs and coyotes.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2023
After mastering the basic knit and purl stitches, Mr. Daley conquered the more complicated colorwork knitting techniques and last August added crochet to his craft repertoire.
From New York Times • Sep. 10, 2021
McEwan’s account is matter-of-fact, but it captures the feel of truly memorable conversations — the kind that are embodied, that purl out over several hours and have their own textures and rhythms.
From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2020
Maybe it’s been medically prescribed: ten rows a day of plain, ten of purl.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
