wavy

wavy — adjective

1. describing a surface, edge, or line that gently bends from side to side like the

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing a surface, edge, or line that gently bends from side to side like the letter S, instead of being completely straight or flat

Example

The river followed a wavy path through the valley, bending around the old trees.

attributive: wavy + concrete noun (path, line, edge)

After the rain, the cardboard box became wavy and soft to the touch.

predicative after become: describes change caused by moisture

Common collocations
  • wavy line
  • wavy pattern
  • wavy edge
  • wavy surface
  • wavy glass
Synonyms
  • undulating

    more formal and often describes large, sweeping curves in landscapes or surfaces

  • curvy

    less regular and more casual; can imply rounded rather than S-shaped bends

  • sinuous

    more literary; suggests a graceful, winding path like a snake's movement

Antonyms
  • straight

    completely flat or linear, without any bends or curves

Grammar Patterns

wavy + noun

be/get/become + wavy

Usage Note

Wavy describes a gentle, regular curve pattern that sits between straight (completely flat or linear) and zigzag (sharp angles). Common objects described as wavy include lines, edges, surfaces, glass, and patterns in fabric or nature.

Common Mistakes

The wavy ocean made the boat rock.
The rough ocean made the boat rock.
'wavy' describes a static curved shape, not the dynamic movement of water; use 'rough' or 'choppy' for sea conditions.

2. describing hair that naturally forms gentle curves or loose S-shaped bends, rath

2.adjectiveA2
Definition

describing hair that naturally forms gentle curves or loose S-shaped bends, rather than being straight or tightly curled

Example

Naoko has long, wavy hair that she often wears in a loose ponytail.

attributive: wavy + hair (most common usage)

The humidity made Hoa's normally straight hair turn slightly wavy for the afternoon.

predicative after turn: temporary texture change

Common collocations
  • wavy hair
  • naturally wavy
  • wavy texture
  • wavy fringe
  • long wavy
Synonyms
  • curly

    tighter and more defined spirals or ringlets, not loose S-shaped waves

  • waving

    less common as an adjective; can describe temporary movement rather than natural texture

Antonyms
  • straight

    of hair, having no bends, curls, or waves

Grammar Patterns

wavy + hair/noun

be/get/turn + wavy

Usage Note

In hair descriptions, wavy fits between straight and curly on the texture spectrum. The waves are usually loose and natural, not tightly curled. Unlike 'frizzy,' wavy hair has a smooth, defined wave pattern.

Common Mistakes

She has beautiful wavy hairs.
She has beautiful wavy hair.
'hair' is an uncountable noun when referring to all the hair on a person's head; 'hairs' is used only for individual strands.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

Wavy, curly, and frizzy all describe non-straight hair, but they differ in curl tightness and texture. Wavy hair forms loose, gentle S-shaped curves and sits between straight and curly on the hair-texture spectrum. Curly hair has tighter, more defined spirals or ringlets that are clearly coiled. Frizzy hair has a rough, fluffy texture with many small, irregular curls that stick out, often caused by humidity or damage rather than natural curl pattern. Straight hair has no bends, waves, or curls at all. For example: 'Naoko has wavy hair that she air-dries for a casual look,' versus 'Rachid's curly hair needs extra moisture to stay defined,' versus 'Hoa's hair always gets frizzy in humid weather.'

wavy ↗curly ↗frizzystraight ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Wavy comes from the noun 'wave', which traces back to Old English 'wafian' (to wave the hands), combined with the suffix '-y' meaning 'having the quality of'. The word has been used to describe curved, wave-like shapes since the late 1500s.