whiz

¹

or whizz

[ wiz, hwiz ]

verb (used without object)

, whizzed, whiz·zing.

1. to make a humming, buzzing, or hissing sound, as an object passing swiftly through the air.
2. to move or rush with such a sound:

   The angry hornets whizzed by in a cloud.

verb (used with object)

, whizzed, whiz·zing.

1. to cause to whiz.
2. to treat with a whizzer.

noun

1. Informal. a person who is quite good at a particular activity, in a certain field, etc.:

   She's a whiz at math.

2. the sound of a whizzing object.
3. a swift movement producing such a sound.

whiz

²

[ wiz, hwiz ]

noun

1. wizard ( def 3 ).

Other Words From

• whiz·zing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiz¹

1540–50; imitative; fizz

Origin of whiz²

By shortening

Example Sentences

In one scene a little boy sits near an IRA soldier watching British officers quietly roll up in vehicles and doesn’t flinch as the man runs off and bullets whiz by his head.

From Salon

In an analysis of vote shares in Pennsylvania counties by data whiz Steve Kornacki, O’Donnell voiced his issues with a focus on a handful of swing states in a country of over 300 million.

From Salon

As satellites whiz past the field of view of telescopes, they leave streaks in the astronomers’ images.

From Los Angeles Times

I'm not sure if it's more alarming that he said it or that the Times and the allegedly sophisticated financial whizzes in the audience all thought it was charming and reassuring.

From Salon

Your buttons will be pushed immediately when you meet the charming, chatty 5-year-old Aubrey, a math whiz whose joy at numbers is offset by their representing the years her dad, Keith, will be away.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• genius
• prodigy