whirl

[ wurl, hwurl ]

verb (used without object)

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

   The merry-go-round whirled noisily.

   Synonyms: pirouette, gyrate

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: wheel, twirl, revolve

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: revolution, spin

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: whack, fling, go, try

8. Machinery. whip ( def 26 ).

whirl

/ wɜːl /

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

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. informal.
   a brief trip, dance, etc
6. give something a whirl informal.
   to attempt or give a trial to something

Derived Forms

• ˈwhirler, noun
• ˈwhirling, adjective
• ˈwhirlingly, adverb

Other Words From

• whirl·er noun
• whirl·ing·ly adverb
• out·whirl verb (used with object)
• un·whirled adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of whirl¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see give something a whirl .

Example Sentences

Bennett, Roy and five of the Mr. Christmas hopefuls gathered at Rolf’s German Restaurant in Manhattan, a kitschy, Christmas-themed establishment that feels like a cave decorated by Mrs. Claus, with a whirl of twinkle lights, gleaming metallic ornaments and faux-evergreen branches dripping from the ceiling.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s all part of the 31-year-old’s ritual before he heads to the weekend bailes, or Mexican dance gatherings, where it’s his job to bring dancers to the floor with dizzying norteño moves in a whirl of cheek-to-cheek embraces with random partygoers.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead of a racket, Mauresmo — a two-time major champion and former No. 1-ranked tennis player — was holding a paddle Thursday and giving pickleball a whirl for the first time.

From Seattle Times

The unrelenting whirl of police and news helicopter rotors continued for days in early May as the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus was violently attacked and then dismantled.

From Los Angeles Times

Without a word, she put on her music, unbuttoned her coat and began to whirl.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clatter
• ferment
• flurry
• tumult
• whirlwind