dervish

American  

[dur-vish] / ˈdɜr vɪʃ /

noun

1. a member of any of various Muslim ascetic orders, as the Sufis, some of which carry on ecstatic observances, such as energetic dancing and whirling or vociferous chanting or shouting.

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dervish British  

/ ˈdɜːvɪʃ /

noun

1. a member of any of various Muslim orders of ascetics, some of which ( whirling dervishes ) are noted for a frenzied, ecstatic, whirling dance

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Other Word Forms

• dervish-like adjective

Etymology

Origin of dervish

1575–85; < Turkish < Persian darvīsh poor man, beggar

Explanation

A dervish is a Muslim monk who is part of an order known for their wild ritualistic movements. A dervish's whirling is part of their religion. A dervish is a Muslim holy man who, like a monk, lives a simple life away from the temptations of the world. The marvelous thing about this form of asceticism (it does involve poverty and chastity) is that dancing, whirling, or howling is also permitted, depending on the kind of dervish you are. Some forms are still practiced in the Sufi sect of Islam. This is the source of the term whirling dervish, which can apply to anyone who spins.

Example Sentences

“We’ve been here for less than three years and that’s been a whirling dervish of activity,” Boehly said in March.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 11, 2025

When Wilder came in last time he was like a whirling dervish.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2023

It’s a tough job, but Rebecca, an ebullient, wisecracking, fist-bumping whirling dervish, is more than up to the task and Sherman plays the offbeat role to the hilt.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 25, 2023

She's got this interesting mixture, but she's basically a whirling dervish of a human being.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2023

She runs at him and he melts before this whirling dervish with a damaged child in her arms and a healthy one stirring inside.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt