spiralling

Everyday

1. Spiralling means moving in a spiral, going round and round in a curve that gets wider or narrower, often while going up or down. tree →
2. Spiralling prices or problems are rising quickly and getting out of control. tree →
3. Spiralling down (or into something) means getting worse and worse. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature, a sycamore seed comes spiralling down, and water goes spiralling down the plughole. In money and news, "spiralling costs" or "spiralling prices" mean prices are going up fast. In lessons on feelings, worries can be spiralling, getting bigger the more you think about them; talking to someone helps stop them.

Examples

• The leaf came spiralling down from the tree. tree →
• The eagle was spiralling high above the hills. tree →
• Water went spiralling down the drain. tree →
• Spiralling food prices make life hard for families. tree →
• His worries were spiralling out of control. tree →
• The plane was spiralling towards the ground. tree →
• The staircase went spiralling up the lighthouse. tree →

Note

UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ: spiralling (double l); USA: spiraling (one l); Canada uses both. A spiral is a curve going round a centre, like a snail shell or a spring.