waviness

waviness — noun

1. the quality or condition of having a shape or form that curves smoothly up and d

1.nounB2
Definition

the quality or condition of having a shape or form that curves smoothly up and down like a wave — for example, in hair that is not straight, or in a surface that is not flat.

Example

Yumi's hair had a natural waviness that she liked to show off.

collocation: natural waviness (of hair)

The waviness of the old wooden floor made it hard to walk on without tripping.

preposition: waviness of [something]

Common collocations
  • natural waviness
  • gentle waviness
  • slight waviness
  • hair waviness
  • surface waviness
Synonyms
  • curliness

    Specifically of hair or fibre; more restrictive than waviness.

  • undulation

    More formal and technical; can describe landforms and surfaces.

  • rippling

    Suggests a lighter, more delicate wave pattern, often in fabric or water.

Antonyms
  • straightness

    Opposite of waviness in hair, lines, or surfaces.

  • flatness

    Opposite of waviness in surfaces or terrain.

Usage Note

Frequently paired with nouns that describe physical surfaces or materials (hair, glass, fabric, road surface). Unlike literal wave motion (ocean waves), 'waviness' refers to static or slowly changing undulations.

Common Mistakes

The waviness of the ocean made us seasick.
The waves of the ocean made us seasick.
'waviness' describes a static curved shape or texture, not moving ocean waves.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Waviness is the broadest term, covering any gentle wave-like pattern in hair, surfaces, or lines. Curliness is narrower: it describes hair or fibre that forms tight loops or rings rather than loose S-shaped bends. Undulation is more formal and is used for large-scale or scientific contexts, like the undulation of hills or sound waves. Rippling suggests a light, delicate pattern that moves or appears to move, often in fabric, water, or light. For everyday descriptions of hair texture, 'waviness' and 'curliness' are most natural; 'undulation' sounds technical, and 'rippling' is better for lightweight or moving surfaces.

waviness ↗curliness ↗undulation ↗rippling ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a natural waviness
  • a gentle waviness
  • the waviness of the surface

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in English from the adjective 'wavy' (meaning 'full of waves' or 'having a wave-like form') and the noun suffix '-ness', which turns adjectives into nouns describing a state or quality. 'Wavy' itself comes from 'wave', which traces back through Middle English 'waven' to Old English 'wafian' (to wave back and forth). The noun 'waviness' has been used since at least the early 19th century.