swirl

[swurl]

See more synonyms for swirl on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to move around or along with a whirling motion; whirl; eddy.
to be dizzy or giddy, as the head.

verb (used with object)

to cause to whirl; twist.

noun

a swirling movement; whirl; eddy.
a twist, as of hair around the head or of trimming on a hat.
any curving, twisting line, shape, or form.
confusion; disorder.

Origin of swirl

1375–1425; late Middle English (north) < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian svirla; cognate with Dutch zwirrelen to whirl, German (dial.) schwirrlen to totter; all < a root *swir- (whence Danish svirre to whirl, German schwirren to whir) + -l- frequentative suffix

Related formsswirl·ing·ly, adverbout·swirl, verb (used with object)

Synonyms for swirl

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2. reel, spin.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for swirl

whirl, churn, boil, roil, twirl, crisp, agitate, surge, wriggle, eddy, crimp, snake, whorl, coil, curl, roll, whirlpool, swoosh, purl

Examples from the Web for swirl

Contemporary Examples of swirl

Thousands of people are posting videos on YouTube while they gargle and swirl oil in their mouths.
Oil Pulling: Miracle Cure or Oily Mess?
DailyBurn
March 28, 2014
That is the context I keep revisiting amidst the condemnations that swirl this week around the Nuge.
The GOP’s Real Ted Nugent Problem
James Poulos
February 22, 2014
Pour the batter in the pan and swirl so that the batter coats the bottom part of the pan.
Cat Cora’s Valentine’s Day Menu for Single People
Cat Cora
February 13, 2014
Bassam handed me a large piece, with no attempt to wave away the swirl of winged insects dive-bombing from all directions.
Iraq War 10th Anniversary: The Teamster
John Kael Weston
March 17, 2013
Once he had the boots on, the man continued along Seventh Avenue and disappeared into the Times Square swirl.
NY Cop’s Act of Kindness Resonates With Thousands
Michael Daly
December 1, 2012

Historical Examples of swirl

Then a swirl of other Mercutians anxious to get at the Earthman eddied him out of view.
Slaves of Mercury
Nat Schachner
There was a swirl of snow over the fields and the line where sky and earth met could not be seen.
Master and Man
Leo Tolstoy
It must be glorious to be in the rush and swirl of all this splendid effort, whatever comes of it!
The Christian
Hall Caine
Pete shut the door of the bar-room, and then the wind was heard to swirl through the porch.
The Manxman
Hall Caine
This was sufficient recommendation for Henry, in the swirl of his agitation, to loose his tongue.
Rope
Holworthy Hall

British Dictionary definitions for swirl

swirl

verb

to turn or cause to turn in a twisting spinning fashion
(intr) to be dizzy; swimmy head was swirling

noun

a whirling or spinning motion, esp in water
a whorl; curl
the act of swirling or stirring
dizzy confusion

Derived Formsswirling, adjectiveswirlingly, adverbswirly, adjective

Word Origin for swirl

C15: probably from Dutch zwirrelen; related to Norwegian svirla, German schwirren

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

Word Origin and History for swirl

early 15c., "whirlpool, eddy," originally Scottish, perhaps related to dialectal Norwegian svirla or Dutch zwirrelen "to whirl." The meaning "whirling movement" is from 1818.

1510s, with an isolated instance from 14c.; from swirl (n.). Related: Swirled; swirling.