whirlwind

[ hwurl-wind, wurl- ]

noun

1. Meteorology. a relatively small mass of air rotating rapidly around a more or less vertical axis and simultaneously advancing over land or sea: specific categories of whirlwind include dust devil, dust whirl, tornado, and waterspout:

   The sails were carried up to the mastheads by the force of the whirlwind.

2. anything resembling a whirlwind, as in violent action or destructive force:

   a fiery whirlwind of shrapnel.

3. someone or something characterized by great energy or swiftness, often with an atmosphere of chaos:

   a staff of three do-nothings and one whirlwind; a whirlwind of activity at the stock exchange.

adjective

1. like a whirlwind, as in speed or force:

   a whirlwind visit to New York.

   Synonyms: impulsive, hasty, breakneck, headlong

verb (used without object)

1. to move or travel quickly:

   You can't just whirlwind in and out of their lives and expect them to be OK with that.

whirlwind

/ ˈwɜːlˌwɪnd /

noun

1. a column of air whirling around and towards a more or less vertical axis of low pressure, which moves along the land or ocean surface
2. 1. a motion or course resembling this, esp in rapidity
   2. ( as modifier )

      a whirlwind romance

3. an impetuously active person

Word History and Origins

Origin of whirlwind¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse hvirfilvindr; cognate with German Wirbelwind

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. (sow the wind and) reap the whirlwind, to suffer the penalties for one's misdeeds. Hosea 8:7.

Example Sentences

Ahead of a tell-all show at the Corn Exchange in Brighton, Stephens described his 20s as a “whirlwind” in which Rizzle Kicks had hits including Down With the Trumpets and Mama Do the Hump.

From BBC

Still maintaining multiple relationships, McDonald jetted off to the Middle East for what his partner believed was a whirlwind wedding mere weeks into their relationship.

From BBC

For country album, Malone’s “F-1 Trillion” is nominated along with “Cowboy Carter,” Kacey Musgraves’ “Deeper Well,” Chris Stapleton’s “Higher” and Lainey Wilson’s “Whirlwind.”

From Los Angeles Times

Milena says her year since quitting The Receipts has been a "whirlwind".

From BBC

Harris, typically stoic from her days as a prosecutor, displayed flashes of disappointment and sadness after telling the crowd that she was proud of the whirlwind campaign they ran over 107 days after President Biden announced he would not seek reelection.

From Los Angeles Times