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 production invoked the historical paintings of Hildegard’s visions as well as modern interpretations of them, using videos in which swirling specks of colored light coalesced into figures.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead of lining up neatly, the atomic spins organize into complex, repeating swirl patterns.

From Science Daily

While questions swirled over the country’s past and future, many Venezuelans simply did what they have always done: got on with it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Questions continue to swirl since the October 19 break-in over whether it was avoidable and why thieves were able to steal crown jewels worth more than $100 million.

From Barron's

Aurora appear as bright, swirling beacons of light that range in colour from red to purple and green to blue.

From BBC

Related Words

• boil
• churn
• roil
• twirl
• whirl