Spanish word

ondular

Pronunciation

IPA/onduˈlaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbripple

Example

El campo ondula con la brisa.

The field ripples in the breeze.

Illustration for ondular (ripple)

More examples

La humedad puede ondular el pelo.

Humidity can make the hair wave.

Core concept

A rhythmic, wave-like motion across a surface.

Common phrases

  • ondular el pelo

    make the hair wave

  • ondular la superficie del agua

    ripple the surface of the water

Similar words

ondear: Waves or flutters in the breeze, sweeping loosely over cloth, leaves, or tall grass.
mecer: Rocks back and forth slowly in a calming, controlled motion.
balancear: Swings slowly from side to side or forward and back as a balancing movement.

Definition in Spanish

Describe el movimiento ondulado de una superficie o el efecto de formar ondas, especialmente de manera suave o rítmica.

Word origin

Derived from Spanish onda (ultimately Latin unda) plus the suffix -ular, giving a verb that denotes undergoing or showing undulating motion.

Usage tips

  • Ondular often appears intransitively or reflexively (ondularse) to indicate that something ripples or becomes wavy, whereas ondulado names the resulting shape.

Other meanings

  • undulateverb
  • flutterverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word