swirl

American  

[swurl] / swɜrl /

verb (used without object)

1. to move around or along with a whirling motion; whirl; eddy.

2. to be dizzy or giddy, as the head.

   Synonyms:

   spin, reel

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause to whirl; twist.

noun

1. a swirling movement; whirl; eddy.

2. a twist, as of hair around the head or of trimming on a hat.

3. any curving, twisting line, shape, or form.

4. confusion; disorder.

swirl British  

/ swɜːl /

verb

1. to turn or cause to turn in a twisting spinning fashion

2. (intr) to be dizzy; swim

   my head was swirling

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noun

1. a whirling or spinning motion, esp in water

2. a whorl; curl

3. the act of swirling or stirring

4. dizzy confusion

Other Word Forms

• outswirl verb (used with object)
• swirling adjective
• swirlingly adverb
• swirly adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

The drama that has swirled around this by-election began months before we even knew when or where it would happen.

From BBC

But the questions still swirling around the case make it hard for the town to lay it to rest.

From BBC

“Have no fear, Madame. I would not let such a creature harm a single hair on your body. I would march circles around her, creating a swirl of confusion on the battlefield!”

From Literature

I sat in the mine, swirling mud around in a pan, searching for gold.

From Literature

Rumors quickly began to swirl about a relationship between Santos-Aviles and Gonzales, and whether there was any connection to her death.

From Salon

Related Words

• boil
• churn
• roil
• twirl
• whirl