Meaning & use
recurved
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“recurved” is a form of “recurve”.
Meanings
adjectivenot comparabletechnicalbiology
Curving or bent backward, especially at the tip.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a recurved claw. It has no comparative or superlative forms.
Patterns
- recurved spines
- recurved petals
- recurved claws
The rose bushes are protected by sharp, recurved thorns.
Each flower has five recurved petals that bend back toward the stem.
The eagle's recurved talons help it hold onto prey.
adjectivenot comparabletechnical
Having a shape that curves back on itself, as a bow or a blade.
Grammar: Also used before a noun, often in descriptions of tools or weapons.
Patterns
- recurved blade
- recurved bow
The hunter carried a recurved bow made of laminated wood.
A recurved blade gives a knife a longer cutting edge.
Common combinations
- recurved spines
- The cactus has recurved spines that point backward.
- recurved petals
- The lilies have strongly recurved petals.
- recurved beak
- This bird is known for its long, recurved beak.
- gently recurved
- The leaves are gently recurved along the edges.
Synonyms and how they differ
- curved
- A general word for any bent shape; recurved specifically means bent backward.
- hooked
- Describes a sharp bend like a hook; recurved is more neutral and technical.
- reflexed
- A botanical term for bending sharply backward, often used of petals or leaves; recurved is a gentler curve.
Opposites
Word family
- recurve verb
- To bend or curve backward, or to bend something in that way.
- recurvature noun
- The state or process of being recurved; a backward curve.
Commonly confused: recurved or curved?
recurved vs curved
Curved simply means bent; recurved adds the idea of bending backward, so not every curved thing is recurved.
Practice
The leaves of the plant are ___ at the tips, bending back toward the stem.
Choose one answer.
The adjective 'recurved' describes the backward-bending shape of the leaves. 'Curved' is too general and does not show the backward direction; 'recurving' is a verb form that would need a helping verb, and 'recurve' is the base verb, not an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “recurved”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.