purl

1 of 4

noun (1)

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

purl

2 of 4

verb (1)

purled; purling; purls

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to do knitting in purl stitch

purl

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
: a purling or swirling stream or rill
2
: a gentle murmur or movement (as of purling water)

purl

4 of 4

verb (2)

purled; purling; purls

intransitive verb

1
: eddy, swirl
2
: to make a soft murmuring sound like that of a purling stream

Examples of purl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'purl.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English

Noun (2)

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian purla to ripple

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1518, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of purl was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near purl

Cite this Entry

“Purl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purl. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

purl

1 of 3 verb
: to invert the stitches in knitting

purl

2 of 3 noun
1
: a swirling stream
2
: a gentle murmur

purl

3 of 3 verb
1
2
: to make a murmuring sound
Etymology

Verb

from obsolete pirl "to twist"

Noun

perhaps of Scandinavian origin

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