Definition

1. Noun:
   • A slender, coiling, threadlike structure: A "tendril" is a specialized, slender stem, leaf, or petiole that certain climbing plants use to attach to and wind around objects for support as they grow.
   • A thin, curling strand: By extension, "tendril" can describe any thin, curling, threadlike object, such as a wisp of hair or smoke.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Botanical):

  • The grapevine's tendrils wrapped tightly around the trellis wire.
  • Pea plants use their tendrils to climb and support themselves.

• Noun (Figurative/Descriptive):

  • A tendril of smoke rose from the extinguished candle.
  • Tendrils of her hair escaped from the braid and curled around her face.

Advanced Usage

• "to send out tendrils": To extend or grow in a thin, searching, or exploratory manner.
  • The company began to send out tendrils into new, related markets.
  • Doubt sent tendrils of fear through her mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Tendrilled (adj): Having tendrils.
  • The tendrilled vine covered the garden wall.

Synonyms

• Curl: A thing forming a spiral or coil.
• Filament: A slender threadlike object or fiber.
• Spiral: A curve that winds around a central point.
• Wisp: A small thin or twisted bunch, piece, or amount of something.

Related Phrases

• Tendril-like (adj): Resembling or having the form of a tendril.
  • The artist drew tendril-like patterns across the page.

Noun

1. slender stem-like structure by which some twining plants attach themselves to an object for support