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

Related to WHIR

Synonyms: bumble, burr, buzz, drone, hum, whish, whiz (or whizz), zip, zoom

Related Words: chirr, churr; thrum; fizz, hiss, murmur, purr, rustle, sigh, sizzle, swish, whisper; coo, curr; wheeze, whistle, whoosh

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with WHIR

birr, blur, burr, Burr, chirr, churr, cur, curr, err, fir, for, fur, her, knur, murre, myrrh, per, purr, shirr, sir, skirr, slur, spur, stir, thir, your