twirl

American  

[twurl] / twɜrl /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to rotate rapidly; spin; revolve; whirl.

2. to twiddle.

   to twirl my thumbs.

3. to wind idly, as about something.

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verb (used without object)

1. to rotate rapidly; whirl.

2. to turn quickly so as to face or point in another direction.

noun

1. an act or instance of twirling; spin; whirl.

2. something convoluted or having a spiral shape; coil; curl; convolution.

twirl British  

/ twɜːl /

verb

1. to move or cause to move around rapidly and repeatedly in a circle

2. (tr) to twist, wind, or twiddle, often idly

   she twirled her hair around her finger

3. (intr; often foll by around or about) to turn suddenly to face another way

   she twirled around angrily to face him

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noun

1. an act of rotating or being rotated; whirl or twist

2. something wound around or twirled; coil

3. a written flourish or squiggle

Other Word Forms

• twirler noun
• untwirled adjective
• untwirling adjective

Etymology

Origin of twirl

First recorded in 1590–1600; tw(ist) + (wh)irl

Example Sentences

The physical act of twirling noodles while discussing something as monumental as coming out diffuses the tension just enough for honesty to survive.

From Salon

Lily twirls with her arms extended like airplane wings, nearly knocking over a floor lamp.

From Literature

Sometimes he twirled around so much he got dizzy, and once he had even tipped over.

From Literature

“I’ll bet when he’s older, though, Thor will love spaghetti and meatballs,” Bat said happily, twirling a messy forkful of noodles.

From Literature

So any little bad thing he ever done—a white lie here, a small mistake there—whirled through his mind as he twirled through the clouds.

From Literature

Related Words

• gyrate
• pivot
• rotate
• spin
• whirl