whir

Or whirr

[hwur, wur]

verb (used without object)

whirred, whirring 

1. to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound.

   An electric fan whirred softly in the corner.

verb (used with object)

whirred, whirring 

1. to move or transport (a thing, person, etc.) with a whirring sound.

   The plane whirred them away into the night.

noun

1. an act or sound of whirring.

   the whir of wings.

whir

/ wɜː /

noun

1. a prolonged soft swish or buzz, as of a motor working or wings flapping

2. a bustle or rush

verb

1. to make or cause to make a whir

Word History and Origins

Origin of whir¹

1350–1400; Middle English quirre ( Scots ) < Scandinavian; compare Danish hvirre, Norwegian kvirra. See whirl

Word History and Origins

Origin of whir¹

C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian kvirra, Danish hvirre; see _whirl

Example Sentences

In Boland's following over, England fell apart in a whir of loose drives.

Read more on BBC

Penelope scarcely slept at all, for her mind was whirring with all that had happened, and she wondered how all the pieces of this strange puzzle might fit together.

Read more on Literature

At less than 8 inches long, with a cheerful red cylindrical body, a saucer-shaped head, and four whirring propellers, the Mini-Manbo was decidedly cute.

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The capital greets us not with wild crowds, but with shadowed buildings and the whir of taxis along San Jerónimo Street.

Read more on Salon

A symphonic mix of an espresso machine’s hiss, a ravenous juicer’s whir and ebullient Spanish welcomed me at my new favorite, Las Olas Cafe.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal