whirl

Whirl is defined as to spin, rotate or move quickly in a circular motion.

(verb)

An example of whirl is for a washing machine to go into the spin cycle.

Whirl means the act of spinning or twirling, or a state of confusion.

(noun)

An example of a whirl is a number of intense events that happen one right after another.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See whirl in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

  1. to move rapidly in a circular manner or as in an orbit; circle swiftly: couples whirling round the dance floor
  2. to rotate or spin fast; gyrate
  3. to move, go, drive, etc. swiftly
  4. to seem to spin; reel: my head is whirling

Origin: ME whirlen < ON hvirfla, akin to hverfa: see whir

transitive verb

  1. to cause to rotate, revolve, or spin rapidly
  2. to move, carry, drive, etc. with a rotating motion: the wind whirled the leaves
  3. Obsolete to hurl or throw

noun

  1. the act of whirling
  2. a whirling motion
  3. something whirling or being whirled: a whirl of dust
  4. a round of parties, etc., one after another
  5. a tumult; uproar; stir
  6. a confused or giddy condition: his head in a whirl

Origin: ME wherwille < ON hverfill, akin to Ger wirbel

Related Forms:

See whirl in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb whirled, whirl·ing, whirls
verb, intransitive
  1. To revolve rapidly about a center or an axis. See Synonyms at turn.
  2. To rotate or spin rapidly: The dancer whirled across the stage.
  3. To turn rapidly, changing direction; wheel: She whirled around to face him.
  4. To have the sensation of spinning; reel: My head is whirling with data.
  5. To move circularly and rapidly in varied, random directions: The wind whirled across the steppes.
verb, transitive
  1. To cause to rotate or turn rapidly: whirl a baton.
  2. To move or drive in a circular or curving course.
  3. To drive at high speed: whirled the motorcycle around the corner.
  4. Obsolete To hurl.
noun
  1. The act of rotating or revolving rapidly.
  2. Something, such as a cloud of dust, that whirls or is whirled.
  3. A state of confusion; tumult.
  4. A swift succession or round of events: the social whirl.
  5. A state of mental confusion or giddiness; dizziness: My head is in a whirl.
  6. Informal A short trip or ride.
  7. Informal A brief or experimental try: Let's give the plan a whirl.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English whirlen

Origin: , probably from Old Norse hvirfla

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Related Forms:

  • whirlˈer noun

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