spiral
spiral — noun
1. a line or object that curves in a continuous loop, moving gradually outward or i
a line or object that curves in a continuous loop, moving gradually outward or inward from a center as it circles.
Eleni drew a beautiful spiral on the cover of her maths notebook.
a + spiral
The staircase inside the old lighthouse was a narrow spiral made of stone.
spiral as a physical object
A spiral of smoke rose slowly from Noor's campfire into the night sky.
The fern frond unrolled in a tight spiral as it grew toward the morning sun.
Beatrix traced the spiral pattern on the seashell with her finger.
- straight line
a line that does not curve at all
文法句型
a + spiral + of + noun
spiral + noun (attributive)
用法筆記
Often used as an attributive noun (e.g., spiral staircase, spiral pattern) to describe something that has this shape.
常見錯誤
2. a process in which prices, costs, or conditions keep getting worse, with each ba
a process in which prices, costs, or conditions keep getting worse, with each bad event making the next one harder to stop or control.
The country's economy entered a downward spiral after the banks collapsed.
downward spiral
Mayumi warned that rising household debt would create a spiral that was very hard to break.
create + a + spiral
Once the violence began, the region fell into a spiral of conflict and fear.
The company was caught in a spiral of falling sales and rising costs.
Families in the village were trapped in a spiral of poverty and poor health.
- vicious circle
a closely related idea where one problem causes another, which then makes the first problem worse; less directional than 'spiral'
- downward trend
a more neutral and gradual decline, without the sense of accelerating speed
- upturn
a positive change, moving toward improvement rather than decline
文法句型
a + spiral + of + noun
into/out of + a + spiral
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'downward' or 'inflationary' to specify direction. 'Vicious spiral' emphasises that each turn makes the situation worse.
常見錯誤
3. a throw or kick of the ball, used in American football, that sends it rotating a
a throw or kick of the ball, used in American football, that sends it rotating along its longest line so it stays stable while flying.
Vikram threw a perfect spiral that sailed sixty metres down the field.
throw + a + perfect spiral
The quarterback's spiral cut cleanly through the wind and rain.
Nila caught the spiral with one hand and ran toward the end zone.
Joon practised throwing tight spirals every afternoon after school.
文法句型
throw/catch + a + spiral
用法筆記
This sense is specific to American football. In other contexts, a spiral throw or kick is simply a pass or punt that rotates on its axis for stability.
spiral — verb
1. to move or grow in a path that turns around a central point, gradually getting c
to move or grow in a path that turns around a central point, gradually getting closer or farther away with each turn — for example, how smoke rises from a fire or how a bird circles higher into the sky.
A flock of birds spiraled upward from the wheat field at dawn.
spiral + upward
The dead leaves spiraled slowly down from the oak tree onto the path.
spiral + down/around
Élise watched the helicopter spiral down toward the landing pad.
Smoke from Diego's cigarette spiraled into the cold morning air.
The paper airplane spiraled across the classroom before landing on the floor.
文法句型
spiral + [adverb/preposition]
spiral + up/down/around
用法筆記
Subject is usually something light or airborne — smoke, steam, leaves, birds, aircraft. The direction is indicated by an adverb: upward, downward, around, across.
常見錯誤
2. if costs, prices, or rates spiral, they rise faster and faster, so that each inc
if costs, prices, or rates spiral, they rise faster and faster, so that each increase is larger than the one before it.
Food prices have spiraled since the drought destroyed most of the harvest.
[costs/prices] + have spiraled
Rent in the city center has spiraled over the past three years.
Eitan watched the cost of building materials spiral beyond his budget.
Healthcare expenses continued to spiral, forcing many families to borrow money.
Energy prices spiraled after the government cut fuel supplies.
- plummet
describes a very fast fall, opposite of rising
文法句型
[costs/prices/rates] + spiral
spiral + upward/out of control
用法筆記
Subject is always a financial figure — cost, price, rate, expense, debt, rent. Can be used alone (prices spiraled) or with 'upward' for emphasis. To clarify direction, use 'spiral upward' (rise) or 'spiral downward' (fall).
常見錯誤
3. if prices or costs spiral, they fall faster and faster, with each drop making th
if prices or costs spiral, they fall faster and faster, with each drop making the next drop bigger.
Oil prices spiraled downward as global demand fell sharply.
spiral + downward (falling)
The value of the local currency spiraled after the election crisis.
Property prices spiraled when the new highway bypassed the town.
Share prices spiraled lower as investors rushed to sell their stocks.
- skyrocket
describes a very fast rise, opposite of falling
文法句型
[prices/costs] + spiral + downward/lower
用法筆記
Without 'downward' or 'lower', this sense risks confusion with sense 2 (rising). Most writers pair it with a downward direction word to avoid ambiguity.
4. when a difficult set of events spirals, each new problem makes the situation wor
when a difficult set of events spirals, each new problem makes the situation worse faster, and it becomes very hard to stop — for instance, a small disagreement that grows into a major conflict.
The argument between the two neighbours spiraled into a costly legal battle.
spiral + into + [worse state]
Rafael's debt problems spiraled out of control after he lost his job.
The protest spiraled into violence when police arrived with shields.
Political tensions spiraled quickly after the disputed election results.
Without fresh water supplies, the crisis in the camp spiraled each day.
- deteriorate
a more formal word that can describe gradual worsening without the accelerating, self-reinforcing sense of 'spiral'
- escalate
focuses on increase in intensity rather than a repeating loop; can be used for positive or negative situations
- improve
to become better, the opposite of spiraling into a worse state
文法句型
[situation] + spirals
spiral + into + [worse state]
spiral + out of control
用法筆記
Subject is typically an abstract situation — conflict, crisis, violence, debt, tension. The outcome is almost always negative. 'Spiral into' introduces the result; 'spiral out of control' emphasises loss of control.
常見錯誤
5. used when someone's emotional or mental state steadily gets worse over time, oft
used when someone's emotional or mental state steadily gets worse over time, often ending in a crisis like serious depression or a breakdown.
After her mother died, Eleni began to spiral into a deep depression.
spiral + into + [mental state]
Diego's mental health spiraled when he stopped taking his medication.
The intense pressure caused the young athlete to spiral into severe anxiety.
When Eitan's marriage ended, he spiraled into a depression that lasted months.
- break down
focuses on the moment of collapse rather than the gradual worsening process
- slide
a gentler, slower decline; less dramatic than 'spiral'
文法句型
[person] + spirals
spiral + into + [mental state]
用法筆記
Subject is a person, not a situation. Frequently used in informal speech and mental-health discussions. Often paired with 'into' followed by a negative emotional state (depression, anxiety, despair).
常見錯誤
spiral — adjective
1. having a form marked by curves that wind around a centre or axis, each turn set
having a form marked by curves that wind around a centre or axis, each turn set farther or closer — like a spring, a snail house, or the double helix of DNA.
Mayumi bought a spiral notebook for her chemistry class.
spiral notebook
The pasta had a spiral shape that held the sauce very well.
Brooke admired the spiral design carved into the wooden cabinet door.
The galaxy photographed by the telescope had a beautiful spiral structure.
- straight
not curved or bent at all
文法句型
spiral + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). Common patterns include 'spiral staircase', 'spiral notebook', 'spiral galaxy', and 'spiral pattern'.