swirl

[ swurl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to move around or along with a whirling motion; whirl; eddy.
2. to be dizzy or giddy, as the head.

   Synonyms: spin, reel

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to whirl; twist.

noun

1. a swirling movement; whirl; eddy.
2. a twist, as of hair around the head or of trimming on a hat.
3. any curving, twisting line, shape, or form.
4. confusion; disorder.

swirl

/ swɜːl /

verb

1. to turn or cause to turn in a twisting spinning fashion
2. intr to be dizzy; swim

   my head was swirling

noun

1. a whirling or spinning motion, esp in water
2. a whorl; curl
3. the act of swirling or stirring
4. dizzy confusion

Derived Forms

• ˈswirling, adjective
• ˈswirly, adjective
• ˈswirlingly, adverb

Other Words From

• swirling·ly adverb
• outswirl verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of swirl¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (north) < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian svirla; cognate with Dutch zwirrelen to whirl, German (dial.) schwirrlen to totter; all < a root *swir- (whence Danish svirre to whirl, German schwirren to whir) + -l- frequentative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of swirl¹

C15: probably from Dutch zwirrelen; related to Norwegian svirla, German schwirren

Example Sentences

So I felt like it was just kind of swirling around.”

From Los Angeles Times

Rumors had swirled about the Georgia prep star looking elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times

In its audio-visual swirl of outrage, “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” — one of the year’s very best documentaries — is nothing but deep cuts.

From Los Angeles Times

After El Paso I began investigating how a border crisis, rising temperatures, disasters and the swirling political reactions to them were affecting the agendas and vigilante campaigns of the far right.

From Salon

Jurado swirled around a Rooibos tea bag with a tag read, “Your Actions Prove Your Greatness.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boil
• churn
• roil
• twirl
• whirl