sinuous
UK: ˈsɪn.ju.əs | US: ˈsɪn.ju.əs
adj. having many curves or turns; winding
adj. gracefully slender and flexible
adj. (figuratively) indirect or devious in course or meaning
The word "sinuous" traces back to the Latin sinus, meaning "bend, curve, or fold." This root reflects the word's core idea of winding or twisting, whether literally (e.g., a sinuous river) or metaphorically (e.g., sinuous reasoning). The suffix -ous (from Latin -osus) turns it into an adjective, emphasizing a quality of being full of curves. Over time, "sinuous" expanded to describe both physical flexibility and abstract indirectness.
The trail followed a sinuous path through the dense forest.
Her sinuous movements captivated the audience during the dance performance.
The snake slithered in sinuous waves across the sand.
His sinuous argument made it hard to pinpoint his true stance.
The artist painted sinuous lines to evoke a sense of fluidity.