Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

furl

/fɝl/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.68 in modern English

Syllables: furl
IPA: /fɝl/

7

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

1

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To lower, roll up and secure (something, such as a sail or flag)

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"With the landless gull, that at sunset folds her wings and is rocked to sleep between billows; so at nightfall, the Nantucketer, out of sight of land, furls his sails, and lays him to his rest, while under his very pillow rush herds of walruses and whales."
"When he heard a voice thus calling to him, he was standing at the door of his box, with a flag in his hand, furled round its short pole."
""'Oh yes, that's all very well, but we haven't done with it yet,' said the lad, 'we shall have it worse directly,' and he ordered them to furl every rag but the mizen.""

Etymology

Perhaps from Old French ferlier, modern French ferler.

Origin

Source language: Old French

Word Breakdown

Root: ferlier

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /fɝl/
British English: /fɜːl/

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

furls (present, singular) furling (participle, present) furled (participle, past) furled (past)

Derived Forms

furlable furler refurl upfurl

Synonyms

roll up

Antonyms

unfurl

Rhymes With

girl earl pearl mount pearl squirrel curl swirl merle whirl hurl searle twirl

Questions

How do you pronounce furl?: The recorded pronunciation is /fɝl/.
What does furl mean?: To lower, roll up and secure (something, such as a sail or flag)
Where does furl come from?: It is traced to Old French.

How to pronounce furl

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “furl”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/fɝl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “furl” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.