whirlwind

American  

[hwurl-wind, wurl-] / ˈʰwɜrlˌwɪnd, ˈwɜrl- /

noun

1. Meteorology. a relatively small mass of air rotating rapidly around a more or less vertical axis and simultaneously advancing over land or sea: specific categories of whirlwind include dust devil, dust whirl, tornado, and waterspout.

   The sails were carried up to the mastheads by the force of the whirlwind.

2. anything resembling a whirlwind, as in violent action or destructive force.

   a fiery whirlwind of shrapnel.

3. someone or something characterized by great energy or swiftness, often with an atmosphere of chaos.

   a staff of three do-nothings and one whirlwind; a whirlwind of activity at the stock exchange.

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adjective

1. like a whirlwind, as in speed or force.

   a whirlwind visit to New York.

   Synonyms:

   impulsive, hasty, breakneck, headlong

verb (used without object)

1. to move or travel quickly.

   You can't just whirlwind in and out of their lives and expect them to be OK with that.

idioms

1. (sow the wind and) reap the whirlwind, to suffer the penalties for one's misdeeds. Hosea 8:7.

whirlwind British  

/ ˈwɜːlˌwɪnd /

noun

1. a column of air whirling around and towards a more or less vertical axis of low pressure, which moves along the land or ocean surface

2. 1. a motion or course resembling this, esp in rapidity

   2. ( as modifier )

      a whirlwind romance

3. an impetuously active person

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Etymology

Origin of whirlwind

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse hvirfilvindr; cognate with German Wirbelwind

Example Sentences

On 21 September 2002, Clinton boarded Epstein's private jet, and embarked on a whirlwind tour of African countries with several celebrities, according to flight logs.

From BBC

But just three days later, amid a whirlwind of post show publicity, Rachel went from the "highest of highs" to the "lowest of lows" with the news her mother was dying.

From BBC

He was so dizzy from that whirlwind I had put him through he couldn’t seem to do anything.

From Literature

"It's all a bit of a whirlwind, I took confidence from the individual event and in my head I had to be quite boring and just get the job done."

From BBC

It delves into the couple’s whirlwind romance, the unrelenting paparazzi and public scrutiny, their rumored family tensions and the events that led up to their deaths.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dust devil
• tornado
• waterspout