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whir


1whir

verb \ˈhwər, ˈwər\
whirredwhir·ring

Definition of WHIR

intransitive verb
: to fly, revolve, or move rapidly with a whir <hummingbirds whirring past>
transitive verb
: to move or carry rapidly with a whir

Variants of WHIR

whir also whirr \ˈhwər, ˈwər\

Examples of WHIR

  1. <the hummingbird whirred as it hovered over a flower>
  2. <our tires whirred as we traveled over the rough road>

Origin of WHIR

Middle English (Scots) quirren, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Dan hvirre to whirl, whir
First Known Use: 15th century

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