whisk

American  

[hwisk, wisk] / ʰwɪsk, wɪsk /

verb (used with object)

1. to move with a rapid, sweeping stroke.

   She whisked everything off the table with her arm.

2. to sweep (dust, crumbs, etc., or a surface) with a whisk broom, brush, or the like.

3. to draw, snatch, carry, etc., lightly and rapidly.

   He whisked the money into his pocket.

4. to whip (eggs, cream, etc.) to a froth with a whisk or beating instrument.

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verb (used without object)

1. to sweep, pass, or go lightly and rapidly.

noun

1. an act of whisking.

2. a rapid, sweeping stroke; light, rapid movement.

3. whisk broom.

4. a small bunch of grass, straw, hair, or the like, especially for use in brushing.

5. an implement, usually a bunch of wire loops held together in a handle, for beating or whipping eggs, cream, etc.

whisk British  

/ wɪsk /

verb

1. (tr; often foll by away or off) to brush, sweep, or wipe off lightly

2. (tr) to move, carry, etc, with a light or rapid sweeping motion

   the taxi whisked us to the airport

3. (intr) to move, go, etc, quickly and nimbly

   to whisk downstairs for a drink

4. (tr) to whip (eggs, cream, etc) to a froth

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noun

1. the act of whisking

2. a light rapid sweeping movement or stroke

3. a utensil, often incorporating a coil of wires, for whipping eggs, etc

4. a small brush or broom

5. a small bunch or bundle, as of grass, straw, etc

Other Word Forms

• unwhisked adjective

Etymology

Origin of whisk

1325–75; (noun) Middle English ( Scots ) wysk rapid sweeping movement; (v.) earlier Scots wisk, quhisk < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse, Norwegian visk wisp, Swedish viska besom, wisp, to whisk (off ), Danish viske to wipe (compare Old High German wisken to wipe, wisc wisp of hay); for development of wh whip

Example Sentences

Before anyone starts quoting the cautionary tale of Jaden Smith, another kid whisked into acting by his musician father Will Smith, let me say that Jaden, too, was a good young performer.

From Los Angeles Times

After acting out a scene for the small part of Ted Bailey over a Zoom call, Josh was cast and whisked out to New York to film.

From BBC

Then, he was whisked off and I was left wondering if the encounter had really happened.

From BBC

It had a whisk for a TV antenna and a cushion from the sofa for a bed, and I cut out windows with the big, sharp knife.

From Literature

Without another word, my aunt whisked her entire clothespin population back into the box and went into the house.

From Literature

Related Words

• dart
• dash
• hurry
• whip
• wipe