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definitions

whirlwind

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

any of several relatively small masses of air rotating rapidly around a more or less vertical axis and advancing simultaneously over land or sea, as a dust devil, tornado, or waterspout.
anything resembling a whirlwind, as in violent action or destructive force.
any circling rush or violent onward course.

adjective

like a whirlwind, as in speed or force: a whirlwind visit to New York.

verb (used without object)

to move or travel quickly.

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RELATED WORDS

short, tornado, hurricane, rash, lightning, rapid, quick, swift, hasty, headlong, impetuous, impulsive, speedy, cyclonic

Nearby words

  1. whirligig,
  2. whirligig beetle,
  3. whirling dervish,
  4. whirlpool,
  5. whirlpool bath,
  6. whirly,
  7. whirlybird,
  8. whirr,
  9. whirry,
  10. whish

Idioms

    reap the whirlwind, to suffer the penalties for one's misdeeds. Hos. 8:7.

Origin of whirlwind

1300–50; Middle English < Old Norse hvirfilvindr; cognate with German Wirbelwind
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for whirlwind

British Dictionary definitions for whirlwind

whirlwind

/ (ˈwɜːlˌwɪnd) /

noun

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
  1. a motion or course resembling this, esp in rapidity
  2. (as modifier)a whirlwind romance
an impetuously active person
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

Word Origin and History for whirlwind

whirlwind

n.

mid-14c., from whirl (v.) + wind (n.), probably on model of Old Norse hvirfilvindr.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper