1
: gold or silver thread or wire for embroidering or edging
2
: the intertwisting of thread that knots a stitch usually along an edge
3
purled; purling; purls
1
a
: to embroider with gold or silver thread
b
: to edge or border with gold or silver embroidery
2
: to knit in purl stitch
: to do knitting in purl stitch
1
: a purling or swirling stream or rill
2
: a gentle murmur or movement (as of purling water)
purled; purling; purls
Examples of purl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2021
In the grid below, each box is a stitch, and every red box is an odd stitch—a purl, a different color, or a hole.
—Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2020
The only sounds are our own voices, the crackle of the fire, the purl of the river, the dull drone of the barges, and the constant chorus of bullfrogs, birds, bugs and coyotes.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2023
Moving diagonally, use the hook to weave your remaining yarn into the purl bumps.
—Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2021
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Noun
Use a crochet hook to bring the leftover yarn to the inside of your mitten and use one of the purl bumps to secure it with a knot.
—Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2021
In the grid below, each box is a stitch, and every red box is an odd stitch—a purl, a different color, or a hole.
—Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2020
The only sounds are our own voices, the crackle of the fire, the purl of the river, the dull drone of the barges, and the constant chorus of bullfrogs, birds, bugs and coyotes.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2023
Moving diagonally, use the hook to weave your remaining yarn into the purl bumps.
—Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near purl
Cite this Entry
“Purl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purl. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
purl
1 of 3 verb
: to invert the stitches in knitting
purl
2 of 3 noun1
: a swirling stream
2
: a gentle murmur
purl
3 of 3 verb1
2
: to make a murmuring sound
Etymology
Verb
from obsolete pirl "to twist"
Noun
perhaps of Scandinavian origin
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