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Meaning & use

furling

verb, noun·Advanced

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UK/ˈfɜːlɪŋ/
US/ˈfɜːrlɪŋ/

“furling” is a form of “furl”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive or intransitive

    Rolling up and fastening a sail, flag, or similar cloth so it takes up little space.

    Grammar: Can take an object ('furl the sail') or stand alone ('the sail furls easily').

    Patterns

    • furl a sail
    • furl the flag
    • the sail furls

    The crew were furling the sails as the wind dropped.

    He spent the morning furling the flag after the ceremony.

    These modern sails furl quickly in strong winds.

  2. noununcountabletechnical

    The action or process of rolling up a sail, flag, or similar sheet of cloth.

    Grammar: Uncountable; often used before another noun, as in 'furling system'.

    Patterns

    • furling system
    • furling line
    • the furling of something

    The boat has an automatic furling system for the main sail.

    A jammed furling line can make the sail impossible to roll away.

    Furling of the flags took the guards several minutes.

Word forms

third person singularfurls
past tensefurled
past participlefurled
-ing formfurling

Common combinations

furling system
The yacht is fitted with a new furling system.
furling line
Pull the furling line to roll the sail away.
furl the sails
The sailors furled the sails before the storm arrived.
furl the flag
Soldiers furl the flag at the end of the day.

Synonyms and how they differ

roll up
'Roll up' is the everyday general term; 'furl' is used mainly for sails, flags, and awnings.
wind in
'Wind in' suggests turning something around a reel, which fits lines and cables more than cloth.

Opposites

unfurl

Word family

furl verb
To roll up a sail or flag; 'furling' is its -ing form.
unfurl verb
To open out a sail or flag that was rolled up.
furled adjective
Rolled up and tied, as in 'a furled umbrella'.

Commonly confused: furling or furlong? furling or curling?

furling vs furlong

A furlong is a unit of distance (about 200 meters) used in horse racing; it sounds similar but has nothing to do with sails.

furling vs curling

'Curling' is a sport played on ice, or the action of hair forming curls; only one letter differs from 'furling'.

Practice

The sailors were ___ the sails as the storm approached.

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