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

Explanation

To swirl is to turn in circles or spirals, the way a leaf caught in a whirlpool swirls, or a toy duck swirls in the bathtub as you empty the water out. Smoke might swirl up from your campfire, keeping the mosquitos that swirl through the air nearby from biting you. Or you can swirl on a carnival ride that spins you in circles until you step back onto the ground and the world swirls for a while, until you regain your balance. Swirl is a noun, too, as in a swirl of dust. It was originally Scottish for "whirlpool."

Example Sentences

I personally regret not heading over to Scoops on Tap, where I could have ordered vegan lemon blueberry swirl and mint chip ice cream.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

While rumors of peace talks swirl, Meir Kliner, president of Ondas Autonomous Systems, said on Wednesday’s fourth-quarter earnings call that demand for the company’s services will remain after the Iran war ends.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

But while rumours swirl about the former duchess's whereabouts and whether she is contemplating a tell-all interview, there are mounting calls for her to give evidence concerning her links to Jeffrey Epstein.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

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

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

A little swirl of blue trickled into his brain.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

Related Words

• boil
• churn
• roil
• twirl
• whirl