twirl

[ twurl ]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈtwirler, noun

Other Words From

• un·twirled adjective
• un·twirling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of twirl¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of twirl¹

C16: perhaps a blend of twist + whirl

Example Sentences

A protein is made up of a ribbon of amino acids, which folds up into a knot of complex twists and twirls.

From MIT Technology Review

A protein is made up of a ribbon of amino acids, which chemical forces fold up into a knot of complex twists and twirls.

From MIT Technology Review

Figure skaters whip themselves into fancy twirls on the balance of a blade.

From Science News For Students

A spontaneous twirl, arms outstretched, and two leaps into the air.

From Time

In fact, he and first lady Pat Nixon started the first couples’ tradition of addressing inaugural ball guests and taking a twirl for the cameras.

From Washington Post

Abu Hassar began to twirl it between his index finger and thumb.

From The Daily Beast

Listen, it takes a lot of effort to twirl energetically on a mountaintop and make it look good.

From The Daily Beast

Always twirl one of those revolving book-cases when you visit a scholar's library.

From Project Gutenberg

To this Don Roderigo made no answer, and Asneiros, giving a fierce twirl to his moustachios, left the room.

From Project Gutenberg

They twirl around on a wire wheel and one of 'em stands up on his hind legs.

From Project Gutenberg

A feeble ray of winter sunshine crept through the small lattice window and made the dust twirl in a straight shaft of haze.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet Mr Anthony never seems to do anything but look through his eyeglass, and twirl his mustachios, and talk.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gyrate
• pivot
• rotate
• spin
• whirl