How Do You Spell FURL?

Pronunciation: [fˈɜːl] (IPA)

The word "furl" is spelled with an 'r' after the 'l', which might seem odd to some English language learners. The IPA phonetic transcription of "furl" is /fɜːrl/. The symbol 'ɜː' represents the vowel sound in "burn" or "heard". The 'r' after the 'l' is known as an "intrusive r" which means it's pronounced even though it's not written. This is a common feature in British English, but not in American English, where the word is often spelled "furled".

FURL Meaning and Definition

  1. Furl is a verb that refers to the action of rolling or folding something, typically a fabric, a sail, or a flag, in a neat and compact manner. It involves gathering the material or object and securing it in a rolled or folded position to make it more compact or easier to store or transport.

    In nautical terminology, furl is commonly used to describe the action of folding or rolling a sail and securing it to the mast or boom of a boat. Sailors furl the sails to reduce sail area, control the amount of wind caught in the sail, and maintain maneuverability of the vessel in strong winds or when not in use. It is a crucial skill in sailing and requires proper technique to ensure safe and efficient operation.

    Outside of naval contexts, furl can also be used to describe the rolling or folding of various items such as flags, banners, umbrellas, or even clothing items like scarves or coats. The purpose is to make the item more compact for storage, transportation, or simply to keep it organized and tidy.

    In summary, furl is a verb that means to neatly roll, fold, or secure an item, particularly fabric, a sail, or a flag, to make it more compact, manageable, or organized. It is commonly used in naval and nautical contexts, as well as other situations that require the efficient storing or handling of various items.

  2. To roll up in a long bundle, as a sail or flag; to draw up.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for FURL

Etymology of FURL

The word "furl" comes from Middle English "furlen", which is derived from Old English "fyrian" or "fyrilan". These Old English terms had similar meanings, referring to the action of rolling up or securing something such as a sail or a flag. The word can be traced further back to the Proto-Germanic root "*furlaną" which meant "to further, lengthen". Over time, the meaning shifted to specifically denote the rolling or folding action, particularly in the context of nautical or flag-related terminology.

Similar spelling words for FURL

Plural form of FURL is FURLS

Conjugate verb Furl

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have furled
you would have furled
he/she/it would have furled
we would have furled
they would have furled
I would have furl
you would have furl
he/she/it would have furl
we would have furl
they would have furl

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been furling
you would have been furling
he/she/it would have been furling
we would have been furling
they would have been furling

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would furl
you would furl
he/she/it would furl
we would furl
they would furl

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be furling
you would be furling
he/she/it would be furling
we would be furling
they would be furling

FUTURE

I will furl
you will furl
he/she/it will furl
we will furl
they will furl

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be furling
you will be furling
he/she/it will be furling
we will be furling
they will be furling

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have furled
you will have furled
he/she/it will have furled
we will have furled
they will have furled

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been furling
you will have been furling
he/she/it will have been furling
we will have been furling
they will have been furling

IMPERATIVE

you furl
we let´s furl

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to furl

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was furling
you were furling
he/she/it was furling
we were furling
they were furling

PAST PARTICIPLE

furled

PAST PERFECT

I had furled
you had furled
he/she/it had furled
we had furled
they had furled

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been furling
you had been furling
he/she/it had been furling
we had been furling
they had been furling

PRESENT

I furl
you furl
he/she/it furls
we furl
they furl

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am furling
you are furling
he/she/it is furling
we are furling
they are furling

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

furling

PRESENT PERFECT

I have furled
you have furled
he/she/it has furled
we have furled
they have furled

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been furling
you have been furling
he/she/it has been furling
we have been furling
they have been furling

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it furl

SIMPLE PAST

I furled
you furled
he/she/it furled
we furled
they furled

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