gyrate

[jahy-reyt, jahy-reyt, jahy-reyt]

verb (used without object)

gyrated, gyrating 

1. to move in a circle or spiral, or around a fixed point; whirl.

   Synonyms: pirouette, swirl, revolve, twirl, spin

adjective

1. Zoology.,  having convolutions.

gyrate

/ -trɪ, ˈdʒaɪrətərɪ, dʒaɪˈreɪtərɪ /

verb

1. (intr) to rotate or spiral, esp about a fixed point or axis

adjective

1. biology curved or coiled into a circle; circinate

Other Word Forms

• gyrator noun
• multigyrate adjective
• pseudogyrate adjective
• ungyrating adjective
• gyratory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gyrate¹

First recorded in 1820–30, gyrate is from the Latin word gȳrātus (past participle of gȳrāre to turn around). See gyr-, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gyrate¹

C19: from Late Latin gӯrāre, from Latin gӯrus circle, from Greek guros

Example Sentences

“Dance music is Black music,” Fox told the crowd in between his gyrating and turning up.

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I’m all about the revenge fantasy and punching pillows and gyrating and sweating and losing your s— in art.

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The purchasing power of gold has gyrated from one year to the next.

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Behind her, dancers gyrate like victims being electrocuted.

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But he believes there have been a number of factors that have been “gyrating and pushing it around” in recent years, Miran said.

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Related Words

• twirl 
• whirl