undulating

[uhn-juh-leyt, uhn-dyuh-, -duh-]

adjective

1. having a sinuous or wavelike shape or motion.

   Travelers marvel at the simplicity and beauty of the undulating bamboo roof, tree-like pillars, and natural light flooding into the airport terminal.

   The American goldfinch is easily detected in the spring or summer as a flash of yellow flying with an undulating motion.

Other Word Forms

• nonundulating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of undulating¹

First recorded in 1710–20; undulat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

A black and gilt disco vibe permeates the 500-capacity space, from the undulating wood ceiling made from salvaged Hollywood Bowl seats to velveteen booths and a winking poster advertising Quaaludes.

From Los Angeles Times

The Italian sectional that Tony was sitting on when we spoke had undulating seats in molded plastic, and was marked at around $9,000.

From Los Angeles Times

They jutted their hips in ways that seemed stilted, like baby deer learning to walk, while their arms hovered elegantly, undulating like swan wings.

From Los Angeles Times

Tillman, by the way, is fantastic here – moving and undulating along with the instrumentalists, lacing the music's joy with the character's menace.

From Salon

Great undulating waves of rubble make it all but impossible to make out the geography of this once bustling, tightly packed refugee camp.

From BBC

Related Words

• rolling