whirl
to turn around, spin, or rotate rapidly: The merry-go-round whirled noisily.
to turn about or aside quickly: He whirled and faced his pursuers.
to move, travel, or be carried rapidly along: She whirled along the freeway in her new car.
to feel as though spinning rapidly; reel as from dizziness: My head began to whirl.
to cause to turn around, spin, or rotate rapidly.
to send, drive, or carry in a circular or curving course.
to drive, send, or carry along with great or dizzying rapidity.
Obsolete. to hurl.
the act of whirling; rapid rotation or gyration.
a whirling movement; quick turn or swing.
a short drive, run, walk, or the like; spin.
something that whirls; a whirling current or mass.
a rapid round of events, affairs, etc.: a whirl of meetings, conferences, and business lunches.
a state marked by dizziness or a dizzying succession of feelings, thoughts, etc.
an attempt or trial, especially one undertaken tentatively or experimentally: Even if you don't agree with my plan, won't you give it a whirl?
Machinery. whip (def. 26).
Origin of whirl
1Other words for whirl
Other words from whirl
- whirl·er, noun
- whirl·ing·ly, adverb
- out·whirl, verb (used with object)
- un·whirled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use whirl in a sentence
But Liberty is always dipping his shoulder, whirling around.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThey all play a part in this whirling, well oiled machine, helping bring The Macallan to life.
But he was a whirling dervish of energy and could outwork his critics.
From The Square Deal to The New Deal: The Overlapping Political Identities of TR and FDR | John Avlon | September 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBack in July, a whirling household appliance caught her by the weave.
Ellen Sings ‘The Fox,’ Ride on an Eagle’s Wing & More Viral Videos | Julian E. Wright | September 21, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTCummings began whirling around with the blade, smashing a lamp.
I do not know what I think; all my thoughts seem whirling round as leaves do in brooks in the time of the spring rains.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonAt first I used to think the effect of so many people whirling round in the same direction dizzying and monotonous.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayOur poor planet will be but a silent ghost whirling on its dark path in the starlight.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockHe saw the swans floating like bundles of dry paper, he saw the whirling sea-gulls, he obtained his former room.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodThe keen wind found me out and seemed to take joy in rushing in on me in biting gusts and then whirling away over the flat.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
British Dictionary definitions for whirl
/ (wɜːl) /
to spin, turn, or revolve or cause to spin, turn, or revolve
(intr) to turn around or away rapidly
(intr) to have a spinning sensation, as from dizziness, etc
to move or drive or be moved or driven at high speed
the act or an instance of whirling; swift rotation or a rapid whirling movement
a condition of confusion or giddiness: her accident left me in a whirl
a swift round, as of events, meetings, etc
a tumult; stir
informal a brief trip, dance, etc
give something a whirl informal to attempt or give a trial to something
Origin of whirl
1Derived forms of whirl
- whirler, noun
- whirling, adjective
- whirlingly, adverb
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with whirl
see give something a whirl.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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