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View synonyms for

whirl

[hwurl, wurl]

verb (used without object)

  1. to turn around, spin, or rotate rapidly.

    The merry-go-round whirled noisily.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. to turn about or aside quickly.

    He whirled and faced his pursuers.

  3. to move, travel, or be carried rapidly along.

    She whirled along the freeway in her new car.

  4. to feel as though spinning rapidly; reel as from dizziness.

    My head began to whirl.



verb (used with object)

  1. to cause to turn around, spin, or rotate rapidly.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. to send, drive, or carry in a circular or curving course.

  3. to drive, send, or carry along with great or dizzying rapidity.

  4. Obsolete.to hurl.

noun

  1. the act of whirling; rapid rotation or gyration.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. a whirling movement; quick turn or swing.

  3. a short drive, run, walk, or the like; spin.

  4. something that whirls; a whirling current or mass.

  5. a rapid round of events, affairs, etc..

    a whirl of meetings, conferences, and business lunches.

  6. a state marked by dizziness or a dizzying succession of feelings, thoughts, etc.

  7. an attempt or trial, especially one undertaken tentatively or experimentally.

    Even if you don't agree with my plan, won't you give it a whirl?

    Synonyms: , , ,
  8. Machinery.whip.

whirl

/ ɜː /

verb

  1. to spin, turn, or revolve or cause to spin, turn, or revolve

  2. (intr) to turn around or away rapidly

  3. (intr) to have a spinning sensation, as from dizziness, etc

  4. to move or drive or be moved or driven at high speed

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of whirling; swift rotation or a rapid whirling movement

  2. a condition of confusion or giddiness

    her accident left me in a whirl

  3. a swift round, as of events, meetings, etc

  4. a tumult; stir

  5. informala brief trip, dance, etc

  6. informalto attempt or give a trial to something

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • whirler noun
  • whirlingly adverb
  • outwhirl verb (used with object)
  • unwhirled adjective
  • ˈɳ󾱰 noun
  • ˈɳ󾱰Բ adjective
  • ˈɳ󾱰Բly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of whirl1

1250–1300; Middle English whirlen < Old Norse hvirfla to whirl, akin to Old English hwyrflung turning, revolving, hwyrfel circuit; whorl
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Word History and Origins

Origin of whirl1

C13: from Old Norse hvirfla to turn about; related to Old High German wirbil whirlwind
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Idioms and Phrases

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In the arms of another, he glanced and smiled as he whirled by.

From

The tiles whirled, twisting and turning like helicopter seeds or bird wings, before hitting the metal dumpster below.

From

Alice in Wonderland takes the unpredictability of life and gives it a Technicolor whirl, assuring us our nightmares are really just dreams.

From

Hightower leaped high to rebound a missed Adams jumper, whirled and made a layup while being fouled to put the top seed ahead, 69-68, with 49 seconds left.

From

He watched the boys whirl past in a blur of jerseys.

From

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