whisk

1 of 2

noun

ˈ(h)wisk 

1

: a quick light brushing or whipping motion

2

a

: a usually wire kitchen utensil used for beating food by hand

b

: a flexible bunch (as of twigs, feathers, or straw) attached to a handle for use as a brush

whisk

2 of 2

verb

whisked; whisking; whisks

intransitive verb

: to move nimbly and quickly

transitive verb

1

: to move or convey briskly

whisked the children off to bed

2

: to mix or fluff up by or as if by beating with a whisk

whisk egg whites

3

: to brush or wipe off lightly

Synonyms

Noun

• swish
• switch
• wag
• waggle

Verb

• accelerate
• bundle
• fast-track
• hasten
• hurry
• quicken
• rush
• speed (up)

Examples of whisk in a Sentence

Noun

with a whisk of the broom, the dirt was gone

Verb

Whisk the eggs with the cream until the mixture thickens.

She whisked the children off to bed.

The taxi whisked me to the airport.

The waitress whisked my plate away before I was finished eating.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a mixer with whisk attachment, beat the egg whites to soft peaks and add the second sugar amount. —Nicole Sours Larson, The Mercury News, 11 Dec. 2024

Pots are steaming, whisks are whirring and the air is thick with sugar. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

What’s more, two top handles make the bag easy to whisk around, and a zippered interior pocket serves as a convenient catch-all for small items like tweezers and single eyeshadows. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024

In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder and ginger. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wisk, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse visk wisp; akin to Old English wiscian to plait

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing whisk

• fly whisk
• whisk broom

Kids Definition

whisk

1 of 2 noun

ˈhwisk 

ˈwisk

1

: a quick brush or sweep

a whisk of the hand

2

: a small kitchen utensil used for beating food

3

: whisk broom

whisk

2 of 2 verb

1

: to move easily and quickly

squirrels whisked up the trees

2

: to move or carry briskly

whisked the children off to bed

3

: to mix or fluff up by or as if by beating with a whisk

whisk eggs

4

: to brush or wipe off lightly

whisk the lint off your skirt