twirl

[twurl]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR twirl ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

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

to twiddle: to twirl my thumbs.

to wind idly, as about something.

verb (used without object)

to rotate rapidly; whirl.

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

noun

an act or instance of twirling; spin; whirl.

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

Origin of twirl

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

Related formsun·twirled, adjectiveun·twirl·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for twirl

whirl, rotate, spin, gyrate, pivot, wheel, gyre, twist, turn, revolve, wind, pirouette, whirligig, purl

Examples from the Web for twirl

Contemporary Examples of twirl

Abu Hassar began to twirl it between his index finger and thumb.
The Fourth War: My Lunch with a Jihadi
Elliot Ackerman
January 21, 2014
Listen, it takes a lot of effort to twirl energetically on a mountaintop and make it look good.
‘Sound of Music Live!’ Review: The Hills Are Barely Alive
Kevin Fallon
December 6, 2013

Historical Examples of twirl

Loubet, before parting with his, gave it a twirl as a drum-major does his cane.
The Downfall
Emile Zola
Well, you fellows can stay ashore if you want to, and twirl your fingers.
Mayflower (Flor de mayo)
Vicente Blasco Ibez
The captain took out a small pencil on a chain and began to twirl it.
Image of the Gods
Alan Edward Nourse
Having found the best materials at hand, he began to twirl the stick.
An American Robinson Crusoe
Samuel. B. Allison
Laughing a thick laugh, he gave a twirl to his moustache, and swaggered on.
Villa Rubein and Other Stories
John Galsworthy

British Dictionary definitions for twirl

twirl

verb

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

(tr) to twist, wind, or twiddle, often idlyshe twirled her hair around her finger

(intr; often foll by around or about) to turn suddenly to face another wayshe twirled around angrily to face him

noun

an act of rotating or being rotated; whirl or twist

something wound around or twirled; coil

a written flourish or squiggle

Derived Formstwirler, noun

Word Origin for twirl

C16: perhaps a blend of twist + whirl

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 twirl

1590s (n. and v.), of uncertain origin, possibly connected with Old English þwirl "a stirrer." Or else a blend of twist and whirl. Related: Twirled; twirling.