eddy

[ ed-ee ]

/ ˈɛd i /

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noun, plural ed·dies.

a current at variance with the main current in a stream of liquid or gas, especially one having a rotary or whirling motion.

a small whirlpool.

any similar current, as of air, dust, or fog.

a current or trend, as of opinion or events, running counter to the main current.

verb (used with or without object), ed·died, ed·dy·ing.

to move or whirl in eddies.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of eddy

1425–75; late Middle English; Old English ed- turning + ēa water; akin to Old Norse itha

OTHER WORDS FROM eddy

un·ed·died, adjectiveun·ed·dy·ing, adjective

Other definitions for eddy (2 of 2)

Eddy

[ ed-ee ]

/ ˈɛd i /

noun

Mary (Morse) Baker Mrs. Glover; Mrs. Patterson, 1821–1910, U.S. founder of the Christian Science Church.

Also Eddie. a male given name, form of Edgar or Edward.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use eddy in a sentence

I watched SNL—the Eddie Murphy generation—and also SCTV with Rick Moranis.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Eddie Murphy opened the doors for other black actors—and black comics—who are now seeing a major amount of play in films.
Idris Elba on Eric Garner, ‘Mi Mandela,’ and Selling Weed to Dave Chappelle|Marlow Stern|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Leaving the moribund Eddie, Frank crosses paths with a black deliveryman, and they talk about hurricane survivors.
Richard Ford’s Artful Survivalist Guide: The Return of Frank Bascombe|Tom LeClair|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But after resisting Eddie, Frank makes his visit, and the dying man confesses a disturbing secret from decades ago.
Richard Ford’s Artful Survivalist Guide: The Return of Frank Bascombe|Tom LeClair|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

What Newman brought to the screen, what allowed him to blossom, was his ability to make Hud and Harper and Fast Eddie so familiar.
The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70|Peter Richmond|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I found her just now sobbing and moaning over Eddie, wishing they were both dead, and all the rest of it.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Lady Hartledon driving, the boy-groom sitting beside her, and Eddie's short legs striding the pony.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
The next afternoon when Eddie came home his mother looked very thoughtful.
Harper's Young People, November 30, 1880|Various
When Eddie started for school the next day his mind was full of the mission his mother had given him to the boys.
Harper's Young People, November 30, 1880|Various
Eddie said nothing, but looked very dubious, for the widow was not liked by the boys.
Harper's Young People, November 30, 1880|Various

British Dictionary definitions for eddy (1 of 2)

eddy

/ (ˈɛdɪ) /

noun plural -dies

a movement in a stream of air, water, or other fluid in which the current doubles back on itself causing a miniature whirlwind or whirlpool

a deviation from or disturbance in the main trend of thought, life, etc, esp one that is relatively unimportant

verb -dies, -dying or -died

to move or cause to move against the main current

Word Origin for eddy

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse itha; related to Old English ed- again, back, Old High German it-

British Dictionary definitions for eddy (2 of 2)

Eddy

/ (ˈɛdɪ) /

noun

Mary Baker. 1821–1910, US religious leader; founder of the Christian Science movement (1866)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for eddy

eddy

[ ĕd′ē ]

A current, as of water or air, moving in a direction that is different from that of the main current. Eddies generally involve circular motion; unstable patterns of eddies are often called turbulence. See also vortex.

eddy

Origin of eddy

OTHER WORDS FROM eddy

Other definitions for eddy (2 of 2)

Words related to eddy

How to use eddy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for eddy (1 of 2)

Word Origin for eddy

British Dictionary definitions for eddy (2 of 2)

Scientific definitions for eddy