spiral

A curved line that winds around a central point, getting farther from or closer to it.

• Draw a spiral on the paper.
• The shell has a beautiful spiral pattern.
• Smoke rose in slow spirals above the fire.

Similar words: coil

Common phrases: draw a spiral, in a spiral, spiral shape

To keep increasing or decreasing quickly, often becoming difficult to control.

• Prices continue to spiral.
• Our debts spiralled out of control last year.
• The company's profits have spiralled downwards.

How to use it: spiral out of control (Housing costs have spiralled out of control.)

Opposites: stabilize

Common phrases: spiral out of control, spiral upwards, spiral downwards

To move in a winding path around a point or line.

• Smoke spirals up from the chimney.
• The leaves spiralled slowly to the ground.
• We watched the plane spiral down through the clouds.

How to use it: spiral down/up (The bird spiralled down towards the field.)

Similar words: coil, circle

Common phrases: spiral down, spiral upwards, spiral through something

To become increasingly upset or mentally unwell, often feeling unable to stop it.

• She felt herself starting to spiral.
• He spiralled into despair after the breakup.
• When anxiety makes me spiral, I call a friend.

How to use it: spiral into something (After losing his job, he spiralled into depression.)

Similar words: deteriorate

Opposites: recover

Common phrases: spiral into depression, spiral into despair, start to spiral

To make something move in a winding path or turn as it travels.

• Can you spiral the ball?
• The quarterback spiralled the football towards his teammate.
• She learned to spiral a pass accurately.

Similar words: spin

Common phrases: spiral a ball, spiral the football