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

Depending on how close you end up sitting, you may even taste some of the dirt thrown from the ring as champion cowgirl Kandra Demery whirls about the strategically placed obstacles during her barrel races.

From Los Angeles Times

The explosive Park fire north of Chico created massive smoke plumes that whirled up into the atmosphere, swirling in a tornado-like way, a phenomenon known as a “firenado.”

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