undulate

[ verb uhn-juh-leyt, uhn-dyuh-, -duh-; adjective uhn-juh-lit, -leyt, uhn-dyuh-, -duh- ]
/ verb ˈʌn dʒəˌleɪt, ˈʌn dyə-, -də-; adjective ˈʌn dʒə lɪt, -ˌleɪt, ˈʌn dyə-, -də- /

verb (used without object), un·du·lat·ed, un·du·lat·ing.

to move with a sinuous or wavelike motion; display a smooth rising-and-falling or side-to-side alternation of movement: The flag undulates in the breeze.
to have a wavy form or surface; bend with successive curves in alternate directions.
(of a sound) to rise and fall in pitch: the wail of a siren undulating in the distance.

verb (used with object), un·du·lat·ed, un·du·lat·ing.

to cause to move in waves.
to give a wavy form to.

adjective

Also un·du·lat·ed. having a wavelike or rippled form, surface, edge, etc.; wavy.

VIDEO FOR UNDULATE

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Waves undulate, flags undulate ... and in this video both of those meanings work together to create the perfect image. Watch our favorite Word of the Day illustrator bring the word to life.

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Origin of undulate

1650–60; < Latin undulātus waved, equivalent to und(a) wave + -ul(a) -ule + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM undulate

un·du·la·tor, noun non·un·du·late, adjective non·un·du·lat·ing, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for undulate

British Dictionary definitions for undulate

undulate
/ (ˈʌndjʊˌleɪt) /

verb

to move or cause to move in waves or as if in waves
to have or provide with a wavy form or appearance

adjective (ˈʌndjʊlɪt, -ˌleɪt) undulated

having a wavy or rippled appearance, margin, or form an undulate leaf

Derived forms of undulate

undulator, noun

Word Origin for undulate

C17: from Latin undulātus, from unda a wave