swirly

[ swur-lee ]

adjective

, swirl·i·er, swirl·i·est.

1. swirling, whirling, or twisted.

Word History and Origins

Origin of swirly¹

First recorded in 1775–85; swirl + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“You see how I come dressed for the DNC? Very demure, very mindful,” she said in an Instagram reel, giving her 1.1 million followers a close-up look at her towering bouffant, dramatic makeup and swirly black, white and pink dress.

From Los Angeles Times

Here, complications from untreated mental illness drive the unreliable narrator trope for a swirly, tangled hair-raiser.

From Seattle Times

But this year Oliveira also brought selections from his personal collection of 19th-century glass Americana, including gorgeous amber “globs,” or swirly round vessels, and ornate little bottles called scroll casks in a number of honey amber shades unique to Ohio.

From New York Times

He had swirly brown hair that made Josie think of pinwheels, and rosy red cheeks that made Josie think of apples.

From Literature

This neat online tool depicts up-to-date wind currents on Earth, and you can clearly spot the swirly cowlicks.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• arched
• crooked
• curvaceous
• elliptical
• rounded
• serpentine
• twisted
• twisting