gyrate

American  

[jahy-reyt, jahy-reyt, jahy-reyt] / ˈdʒaɪ reɪt, dʒaɪˈreɪt, ˈdʒaɪ reɪt /

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

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adjective

1. Zoology. having convolutions.

gyrate British  

/ -trɪ, ˈdʒaɪrətərɪ, dʒaɪˈreɪtərɪ /

verb

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

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adjective

1. biology curved or coiled into a circle; circinate

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of gyrate

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

Example Sentences

Jobless claims tend to gyrate during the holiday season, between Thanksgiving and early in the new year.

From MarketWatch

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From MarketWatch

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

From Barron's

Then, after he talks himself out, he gyrates to the music, waving his veiny arms in the air.

From Salon

Related Words

• twirl
• whirl