curler

plural curlers

1. One of a set of small cylindrical tubes used to curl hair.

   Waiting for a girl who's got curlers in her hair / Waiting for a girl, she has no money anywhere

   1968, Jagger–Richards, “Factory Girl”, in Beggars Banquet, performed by The Rolling Stones

   1 more example

   There was also hairdressing: hairdressing, too, really was hairdressing in those times — no running a comb through it and that was that. It was curled, frizzed, waved, put in curlers overnight, waved with hot tongs;[…].

   1977, Agatha Christie, chapter 4, in An Autobiography, part II, London: Collins, →ISBN

   Synonyms: hair roller

2. A sportsman who plays curling.
3. ball gamesA pass or a shot of the ball which swerves.

   The captain sent a curler into the top corner of the net.

   3 more examples

   Lampard was replaced by Kalou but the substitute immediately gave the ball to Jonas, whose 25-yard curler was tipped wide by Cech.

   2011 September 28, Jon Smith, “Valencia 1-1 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport

   Liverpool were energised at the start of the second half, with ­Curtis Jones shaping a curler just past the far post.

   2024 February 4, David Hytner, “Arsenal ignite title hopes as Gabriel Martinelli punishes Liverpool error”, in The Guardian

   He opens his body, just before the edge of the box, and unleashes a powerful low curler into the bottom right! The net billows! The crowd explode!

   2026 June 25, Scott Murray, “Ecuador v Germany: World Cup 2026 – live”, in the Guardian, →ISSN

4. hobbiesA wave which breaks with a barrel

   There’s the mesmeric, thrumming beat. (Sound very much “on” for this one.) Dark purples and roiling seas under heavy storms. Then Manuel, barreling perfect curler after perfect curler.

   2023 March 18, Sam Anderson, “Weekend Warm-Up: Liquid Lines, Entrancing Tunes, Mesmerizing Moments in ‘MALIA’”, in Explorersweb

   1 more example

   Oft considered the most even playing field on which to measure surf mastery, Slater’s innovative machine is a barrel-synthesizing environment and engineering feat. In a single round, The Wave produces a 6-foot curler capable of traveling 2,300 feet for up to one gnarly minute.

   2021 August 25, Jilli Cluff, “Kelly Slater’s Artificial Wave Will Crown ‘The Ultimate Surfer’ on Hulu”, in GearJunkie