curved

curved — adjective

1. describes something whose shape bends smoothly instead of going straight or form

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes something whose shape bends smoothly instead of going straight or forming sharp angles — for example, the edge of a circle, the back of a rocking chair, or a road that turns gently.

Example

The curved glass of the aquarium made the fish look larger than they really were.

curved + noun for describing object shapes

Christopher ran his hand along the curved back of the antique wooden chair.

Common collocations
  • curved line
  • curved surface
  • curved road
  • curved edge
  • curved spine
  • curved blade
  • curved window
  • curved screen
Synonyms
  • bent

    suggests a sharper angle or change caused by force, rather than a smooth intentional curve

  • rounded

    more circular or spherical in overall shape; curved is more general

  • arched

    specifically describes a shape like an arch — a curved structure that spans an opening

Antonyms
  • straight

    the direct opposite — having no bends or curves

  • flat

    describes a level surface without curvature, especially relevant for screens and panels

Grammar Patterns

curved + noun (attributive)

be + curved (predicative)

Usage Note

Describes a smooth, intentional or natural bend — as opposed to bent, which often implies damage or a sharp change of direction. Commonly applied to roads, furniture, body parts, tools, and architectural structures.

Common Mistakes

The metal pipe was curved after the car hit it.
The metal pipe was bent after the car hit it.
'bent' suggests damage or a forced change; 'curved' describes an intended or naturally smooth shape.

Word family

  • curve
    nounB1
  • curve
    verbB1
  • curvature
    nounC1
  • curvy
    adjectiveB2
  • curvedly
    adverbC2
  • curvilinear
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a shape that is not straight, but they differ in cause and specificity. Curved is the most general term for any smooth deviation from a straight line — the word is neutral about how the shape was created. Bent suggests a change that was forced or accidental: a bent nail is damaged, while a curved nail is intentionally shaped. Rounded focuses on the overall softness of shape, implying circular or spherical contours rather than a single bend. Arched is the most specific, describing a shape that rises and falls like a bridge or doorway. For example, a curved staircase turns gently, a rounded table has no sharp corners, and an arched window has a curved top. Choosing the right word depends on whether the speaker wants to emphasise intentional design (curved), damage or force (bent), soft overall contours (rounded), or a specific architectural form (arched).

curved ↗bent ↗rounded ↗arched

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • gently curved
  • slightly curved
  • beautifully curved
  • sharply curved
  • gracefully curved

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Curved comes from Latin curvus, meaning 'bent' or 'crooked'. It passed through Old French courbé (past participle of courber, 'to bend') before entering Middle English as a past-participle adjective describing something that has been shaped into a curve. The related noun curve was borrowed directly from Latin curva in the 17th century.