birl

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈbər(-ə)l 

Scotland also ˈbir(-ə)l

birled; birling; birls

intransitive verb

chiefly Scotland

: carouse

birl

2 of 3

verb (2)

birled; birling; birls

transitive verb

1

: spin

2

: to cause (a floating log) to rotate by treading

intransitive verb

: to progress by whirling

birler

ˈbər-lər  ˈbir- 

noun

birler

3 of 3

noun

birl·​er ˈbər-lər  ˈbir- 

plural -s

: one that birls

especially : a person who birls logs

Synonyms of birl

Verb (1)

• drink
• carouse
• revel
• binge
• roister
• wassail

Examples of birl in a Sentence

Verb (1)

spent a good part of his time in Edinburgh birling into the wee small hours of the night

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There was sea salt in the air, and sleepless seagulls were birling in the darkness overhead. — Douglas Stuart, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2020

In some parts of the United States, birling contests are annual events. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 16 Feb. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old English byrelian; probably akin to Old English beran to carry — more at bear

Verb (2)

perhaps imitative

First Known Use

Verb (1)

circa 1585, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1724, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1