spiral

Everyday

1. A spiral is a curve that winds round and round a centre point, getting further away or closer each time, like the shape of a snail shell. tree →
2. A spiral is also a shape that winds upward like a spring or a corkscrew: «a spiral staircase». tree →
3. (verb) To spiral means to move in a spiral, or to get quickly worse or bigger: «prices spiralled». tree →
4. (figurative) «A downward spiral» is when things keep getting worse. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons spirals come up in patterns and shapes, and in nature studies in snail shells, sunflower seeds, pine cones and galaxies (our Milky Way is a spiral galaxy). In science, DNA is a double spiral (double helix). In art, pupils draw spirals. In everyday talk «spiral notebook» is a notebook bound with a wire coil. In news, «spiralling costs» means costs going up fast.

Examples

• A snail's shell is a spiral. tree →
• We climbed the spiral staircase to the top of the tower. tree →
• The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy. tree →
• The leaf spiralled down to the ground. tree →
• Sunflower seeds grow in spirals. tree →
• Write it in your spiral notebook. tree →
• Prices spiralled when there was not enough food. tree →
• The staircase was of cast iron, spiral, broad and easy. tree →

Note

Plural «spirals». UK spelling «spiralled, spiralling»; US «spiraled, spiraling». A circle comes back to where it started; a spiral does not.