whirlwind

[hwurl-wind, wurl-]

noun

1. Meteorology.,  a relatively small mass of air rotating rapidly around a more or less vertical axis and simultaneously advancing over land or sea: specific categories of whirlwind include dust devil, dust whirl, tornado, and waterspout.

   The sails were carried up to the mastheads by the force of the whirlwind.

2. anything resembling a whirlwind, as in violent action or destructive force.

   a fiery whirlwind of shrapnel.

3. someone or something characterized by great energy or swiftness, often with an atmosphere of chaos.

   a staff of three do-nothings and one whirlwind; a whirlwind of activity at the stock exchange.

adjective

1. like a whirlwind, as in speed or force.

   a whirlwind visit to New York.

   Synonyms: impulsive, hasty, breakneck, headlong

verb (used without object)

1. to move or travel quickly.

   You can't just whirlwind in and out of their lives and expect them to be OK with that.

whirlwind

/ ˈwɜːlˌwɪnd /

noun

1. a column of air whirling around and towards a more or less vertical axis of low pressure, which moves along the land or ocean surface

2. 1. a motion or course resembling this, esp in rapidity

   2. ( as modifier )

      a whirlwind romance

3. an impetuously active person

Word History and Origins

Origin of whirlwind¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse hvirfilvindr; cognate with German Wirbelwind

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. (sow the wind and) reap the whirlwind, to suffer the penalties for one's misdeeds. Hosea 8:7.

Example Sentences

At that point, back in 2005, the whirlwind from Moscow knew he was 894 goals short of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The pair have fond memories of their whirlwind romance in the 1990s, which led to them getting married and having a baby within two years.

Read more on BBC

You've finally figured out how to use the washing machine, your flatmates are starting to feel like friends, and the whirlwind of freshers' week is behind you.

Read more on BBC

There has been no whirlwind blowing through the City Ground despite the frustrations.

Read more on BBC

While their interaction at the reveal seemed to go well, albeit somewhat awkward considering the whirlwind circumstances, a few hours later, Suzuki was summoned by production to meet with McIntosh.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dust devil 
• tornado 
• waterspout