whirl

1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l 

whirled; whirling; whirls

intransitive verb

1

: to move in a circle or similar curve especially with force or speed

2

a

: to turn on or around an axis like a wheel : rotate

b

: to turn abruptly around or aside : wheel

whirled around in surprise

3

: to pass, move, or go quickly

whirled down the hallway

4

: to become giddy or dizzy : reel

my head is whirling

transitive verb

1

: to drive, impel, or convey with or as if with a rotary motion

2

a

: to cause to turn usually rapidly on or around an axis : rotate

b

: to cause to turn abruptly around or aside

3

obsolete : to throw or hurl violently with a revolving motion

whirler

ˈ(h)wər-lər 

noun

whirl

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a rapid rotating or circling movement

b

: something undergoing such a movement

2

a

: a busy or fast-paced succession of events : bustle

a whirl of activity

the social whirl

b

: a confused or disturbed mental state : turmoil

a whirl of febrile excitement

—Emily Skeel

3

: an experimental or brief attempt : try

gave it a whirl

Synonyms

Verb

• agitate
• churn
• stir
• swirl
• wash

Noun

• gyration
• pirouette
• reel
• revolution
• roll
• rotation
• spin
• twirl
• wheel

Examples of whirl in a Sentence

Verb

The cars were whirling around the track.

Clothes were whirling in the washing machine.

The water whirled around the drain.

Her dance partner whirled her around.

Noun

My head was in a whirl.

the whirl of the mechanical ride made him dizzy

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In the open back of a pickup truck, two wildlife spotters stood in front of me, whirling their flashlights. —Mihir Zaveri, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Massive trucks carrying thousands of gallons of milk bore down the narrow road, and three men dressed in full regalia used their spurs to whirl sweating horses past us at a full gallop. —Kayla Aletha Welch, Longreads, 19 Nov. 2024

Noun

Water vortices, such as whirlpools, are little water whirls that spin around. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024

This year, even as his position changes and the Dodgers roster whirls like a perpetual motion machine, Betts followed the same plan. —Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hvirfla to whirl; akin to Old High German wirbil whirlwind, Old English hweorfan to turn — more at wharf

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whirl

• give (something) a whirl
• the social whirl

Kids Definition

whirl

1 of 2 verb

ˈhwər(-ə)l 

ˈwər(-ə)l

1

: to move or drive in a circle or curve especially with force or speed

cars whirling around the track

2

a

: to turn rapidly in circles : spin

b

: to turn abruptly : wheel

whirled around in surprise

3

: to move or go quickly

whirled down the street

4

: to become dizzy : reel

my head is whirling

whirler

ˈhwər-lər 

ˈwər-

noun

whirl

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a rapid whirling movement

b

: something whirling

a whirl of dust

2

a

: a state of busy movement : bustle

a whirl of activity

b

: a confused mental state

3

: an experimental attempt : try

gave it a whirl