Sinuously: meaning, definitions and examples

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sinuously

 

[ ˈsɪnjuəsli ]

Adverb / Adjective
Context #1 | Adverb

adverb used to describe movement

In a sinuous manner; with many curves and turns.

Synonyms

curving, twisting, winding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sinuously

It is best used to describe a movement that flows smoothly and gracefully, often in a pattern that bends and curves in a complex way. It usually has a poetic or vivid visual connotation.

  • The snake moved sinuously through the grass
  • The dancer's arms moved sinuously, captivating the audience
winding

Perfect for situations where a path or object repeatedly bends and twists, often over a long distance. It generally describes something more physical and tangible.

  • The winding path led us through the forest
  • The winding staircase was narrow and steep
curving

Ideal for indicating something that bends or forms a curve. It is more general in nature and can apply to a wide range of curvy objects or paths.

  • The road started curving up the hill
  • Her smile was curving slowly upward
twisting

Suitable for describing something that turns or spirals with a somewhat forceful or energetic motion. It may imply a certain level of complexity or difficulty.

  • The river was twisting through the mountains
  • Twisting the cap off the bottle required effort

Examples of usage

  • The river flowed sinuously through the valley.
  • The snake moved sinuously across the forest floor.
  • The dancer's body moved sinuously to the rhythm of the music.
Context #2 | Adjective

adjective used to describe shapes or movements

Having many curves and turns; winding.

Synonyms

curving, twisting, winding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sinuously

Use this word to describe something that moves in a smooth and curved manner, often in a graceful or flowing way.

  • The snake moved sinuously through the grass
  • The river flowed sinuously across the landscape

Examples of usage

  • The road followed a sinuous path up the mountain.
  • Her sinuous movements captivated the audience.
  • The tree branches formed sinuous patterns against the sky.

Translations

Translations of the word "sinuously" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sinuosamente

🇮🇳 लहराते हुए

🇩🇪 geschmeidig

🇮🇩 berliku-liku

🇺🇦 звивисто

🇵🇱 kręto

🇯🇵 曲がりくねって

🇫🇷 sinueusement

🇪🇸 sinuosamente

🇹🇷 kıvrılarak

🇰🇷 구불구불하게

🇸🇦 بتعرج

🇨🇿 závitovitě

🇸🇰 zvlneno

🇨🇳 蜿蜒地

🇸🇮 ovijajoče

🇮🇸 bugðótt

🇰🇿 ирелеңдеп

🇬🇪 მოხრილად

🇦🇿 dalğalı

🇲🇽 sinuosamente

Etymology

The word 'sinuous' originated from the Latin word 'sinuosus', meaning full of windings or turns. It has been used in English to describe winding or curving shapes or movements since the 17th century. The idea of sinuosity is often associated with elegance and gracefulness, as seen in the sinuous movements of a dancer or the winding path of a river.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,194, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.