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

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

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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With a wink and a flick of her ponytail, Sue and six other dancers — all sporting shiny, one-piece leotards with gratuitous cutouts — begin to gyrate, thrust, and squat to throbbing electronic music.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• twirl 
• whirl