sinuate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowformal, technical
Quick answer
What does “sinuate” mean?
to follow a winding or curving course.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to follow a winding or curving course; to bend in and out
In botany/biology: having a wavy margin or edge; in figurative use: to proceed indirectly or deviously
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences; both use it primarily in technical/scientific contexts
Connotations
Slightly more common in British botanical texts historically, but negligible difference today
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties
Grammar
How to Use “sinuate” in a Sentence
The river sinuates [through the valley][The leaf margins] are sinuateVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sinuate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The footpath sinuates through the ancient woodland
- The narrative sinuates before reaching its conclusion
American English
- The river sinuates across the floodplain
- His argument sinuated around the main issue
adverb
British English
- The vine grew sinuately up the trellis
American English
- The creek flowed sinuately through the meadow
adjective
British English
- The oak leaf has a distinctly sinuate margin
- We followed the sinuate coastline for miles
American English
- The sinuate edges of the seashell were fascinating
- They mapped the sinuate border between the two properties
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; might appear metaphorically in 'the deal sinuated through various departments'
Academic
Common in biology, botany, geology, and literary analysis describing indirect narratives
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation
Technical
Standard term in biological descriptions (leaves, shells, geographical features)
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sinuate”
- Using as common verb for 'hesitate' or 'delay' (wrong)
- Confusing with 'insinuate' (to suggest indirectly)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both come from Latin 'sinuare' (to bend), with 'sinuous' being the more common adjective
Rarely; it's primarily a technical/scientific term. 'Wind', 'curve', or 'meander' are more common alternatives
'Sinuate' emphasizes winding/bending, while 'undulate' emphasizes wave-like rising and falling motion
The adjective form ('sinuate margins') is more frequent in technical writing, particularly botany
to follow a winding or curving course.
Sinuate is usually formal, technical in register.
Sinuate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪnjʊeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪnjʊˌeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None established”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SINUOUS snake that needs to SINUATE its way through grass
Conceptual Metaphor
INDIRECT PROGRESS IS A WINDING PATH
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sinuate' MOST appropriately used?