twirl

[ twurl ]

/ twɜrl /

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See synonyms for: twirl / twirled 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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of twirl

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

OTHER WORDS FROM twirl

un·twirled, adjectiveun·twirl·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use twirl in a sentence

Some warned me, with widened eyes and fingers twirling in the air, that Manning is "kind of crazy," or "nuts."
‘Crazy’ Harlem Pastor Hates on Obama and Gays|Olivia Nuzzi|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With her cascade of red, twirling hair and pale, fine-boned face.
Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror Machine|Clive Irving|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The acrobat was twirling during her performance, suspended by a chiffon scarf.
Thrills and Too Many Spills: The Dangers of the Circus|Marina Watts|May 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The technology that keeps her twirling and dipping is nothing short of incredible.
How Paralympian Amy Purdy Dances Like a Star|Rose Eveleth|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“Hasidic Jews…” Ashlee begins, twirling her fingers next to her temples.
Is Bravo’s Jewish Princesses Long Island the Most Offensive TV Show Ever?|Andrew Romano|July 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"I did n't fly off the handle," said the screw, twirling huskily at the end of the screw-shaft.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
He turned his cool regard upon Chief Inspector Kerry, twirling the cord of his monocle about one finger.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
She stared absently at the silk tassel, twirling it about her white fingers more and more rapidly.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Thomas Carr was twirling his wine-glass gently round on the white cloth, neither speaking nor looking.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Hilda stabbed a great crisp fallen teak leaf with her parasol, and spent the grimness of this in twirling it.
Hilda|Sarah Jeanette Duncan

British Dictionary definitions for twirl

twirl

/ (twɜːl) /

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 forms of twirl

twirler, 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

twirl

Origin of twirl

OTHER WORDS FROM twirl

Words related to twirl

How to use twirl in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for twirl

Derived forms of twirl

Word Origin for twirl