spiral

S2 W2

BrE /ˈspaɪərəl/ AmE /ˈspaɪrəl/

noun / verb / adjective en → es

1 SHAPE [noun] B1

a curve that winds around a central point, getting gradually further away from it or closer to it

espiral

Collocations spiral staircase · spiral galaxy

  • The building has a spiral staircase.

    El edificio tiene una escalera espiral.

2 MOVE [intransitive] B1

to move in the shape of a spiral or circle, especially when going upwards or downwards

moverse en espiral

Collocations spiral up/down · spiral out of control

  • The plane spiraled down towards the ground.

    El avión se movió en espiral hacia el suelo.

3 INCREASE/DECREASE [intransitive] B2

to increase or decrease in a way that is rapid and continues to get faster, especially when it seems impossible to stop the process

aumentar/disminuir en espiral

Collocations spiral out of control · spiral upwards/downwards

  • The costs are spiraling out of control.

    Los costos están aumentando en espiral sin control.

4 THINK [intransitive] C1

to think about something in a complicated way, often for a long time and without reaching any clear conclusions

pensar en espiral

Collocations spiral into confusion · spiral out of control

  • She spiraled into a state of confusion.

    Ella entró en un estado de confusión pensando en espiral.

5 ADJECTIVE [adjective] B1

shaped like a spiral or coil; winding around a central point and getting gradually further away from it or closer to it

espiral, en espiral

Collocations spiral staircase · spiral galaxy

  • The staircase is spiral.

    La escalera es en forma de espiral.

6 ADVERB [adverb] C1

in a way that forms or moves in the shape of a spiral

en espiral, espiralmente

Collocations spiral outwards/inwards

  • The smoke spiraled upwards.

    La humareda se elevó en espiral.

7 SPIRAL STAIRCASE [noun] B1

a staircase that turns around a central point and goes up or down in a spiral shape

escalera espiral, caracol

Collocations spiral staircase

  • The house has a spiral staircase.

    La casa tiene una escalera espiral.

8 SPIRAL GALLERY [noun] C1

a long passage or room that goes around the inside of a building in a spiral shape, often used for displaying art

galería espiral, pasillo en espiral

Collocations spiral gallery

  • The museum has a spiral gallery.

    El museo tiene una galería espiral.