swirl

verb \ ˈswər(-ə)l \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of swirl

intransitive verb

1 a : to move with an eddying or whirling motion

swirling water

b : to pass in whirling confusion

2 : to have a twist or convolution

transitive verb

: to cause to swirl

swirled her drink

—

swirlingly

play \ˈswər-liŋ-lē\ adverb

See swirl defined for English-language learners

Examples of swirl in a Sentence

The water swirled around the drain.
kept swirling her lemonade until I thought the sound of clinking ice would drive me insane

Recent Examples of swirl from the Web

Rumors that Cryan might be replaced after three years of losses have swirled for weeks.

— Fox News, "The Latest: Deutsche Bank CEO Cryan out, Sewing in," 8 Apr. 2018
This decision follows a swirling scandal about the unauthorized access of up to 87 million Facebook users' data by a British firm called SCL and its American offshoot Cambridge Analytica.

— issie lapowsky, WIRED, "Facebook Imposes New Restrictions on Ads and Popular Pages," 6 Apr. 2018
And his note serves as an eerie reminder that there’s still more to learn about the these swirling gales.

— maya wei-haas, Smithsonian, "How a Legendary Storm Chaser Changed the Face of Tornado Science," 5 Apr. 2018
In these cases, matter from the star falls into its ultradense partner, and the swirling gas forms what's known as an accretion disk around the black hole's maw.

— National Geographic, "Thousands of Black Holes May Lurk at the Galaxy's Center," 4 Apr. 2018
Flash back to Game 7 after the almost-apparitional swirling wind and rain appearance, and the Yankees found themselves just six outs away from winning it all.

— bob mcmanaman, azcentral, "'You've gotta believe!' The Diamondbacks did just that during the 2001 World Series," 27 Mar. 2018
Another faced an extraordinary revolt within his own department amid a swirling ethics scandal.

— Washington Post, "Cabinet chaos: Trump’s team battles scandal, irrelevance," 14 Mar. 2018
There’s no optimal circumstance for the most prominent member of your athletic department to find himself in handcuffs amid the swirling social-media shrapnel of a potential affair on company time.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Timing of Toreros' coaching turmoil threatens to blunt unmatched momentum," 8 Mar. 2018
Trouble was, the swirling wind didn't let the ball leave Goss Stadium.

— ron richmond for the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "Adley Rutschman's big hit lifts Oregon State baseball to win in home opener," 3 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swirl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of swirl

Middle English

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

swirl Synonyms

Synonyms

pivot, revolve, roll, rotate, spin, swing, swivel, turn, twirl, twist, wheel, whirl;

Related Words

screw, unscrew;

twiddle;

coil, crank, reel, wind;

circulate;

swirl

noun

Definition of swirl

1 a : a whirling mass or motion : eddy

b : whirling confusion

a swirl of events

2 : a twisting shape, mark, or pattern

3 : an act or instance of swirling

See swirl defined for English-language learners

See swirl defined for kids

Examples of swirl in a Sentence

A swirl of smoke rose from the chimney.
He painted swirls of color on the canvas.
ice cream with chocolate swirls

Recent Examples of swirl from the Web

The deal illustrates the swirl of investor activity in the increasingly competitive business of bike sharing.

— kirsten korosec, Fortune, "Uber Jumps Into Dockless Bike Sharing With Latest Acquisition," 9 Apr. 2018
But even then, there was no perfect refuge from the swirl of attention surrounding recent legal activity related to the president's past conduct with women.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "First lady stays in Palm Beach, escapes headlines on husband's alleged affairs," 31 Mar. 2018
On the internet and off, the conversation around gun violence has hardly faded into the background, even amid the usual swirl of Trump administration chaos.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "The Parkland Teens Are Winning the Culture War," 31 Mar. 2018
The El Santo frozen margarita is not too unlike Mi Cocina’s potent Mambo Taxi, if not the same with its crimson swirl of sangria.

— celestina blok, star-telegram, "Pinstripes, 203 Café to open soon, plus other dining-related recaps and updates | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 27 Mar. 2018
Add reserved ground black sesame seeds to the remaining batter and mix on medium speed until evenly distributed—this is your black swirl.

— claire saffitz, Bon Appetit, "Swirled Sesame Tea Cake," 26 Mar. 2018
Trump’s aims with regard to Putin remain uncertain amid the swirl of allegations of collusion with Russia during his election campaign and wide disparities between his dovish rhetoric at the time and tough American policies since.

— marc champion, Bloomberg.com, "What Trump Can Learn From the Cold War," 25 Mar. 2018
But Pence has certainly tried to use the distance to create some space between himself and the Washington swirl.

— astead herndon, BostonGlobe.com, "Vice President Mike Pence finds refuge on the road," 23 Mar. 2018
On the nose, rich chocolate and the sweet vanilla swirl of oak; on the tongue, puckering plums.

— william bostwick, WSJ, "Come Over to the Dark (Beer) Side," 23 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of swirl

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SWIRL Defined for English Language Learners

swirl

verb

Definition of swirl for English Language Learners

: to move in circles or to cause (something) to move in circles

swirl

noun

Definition of swirl for English Language Learners

: a twisting or swirling movement, form, or object
: a state of busy movement or activity

SWIRL Defined for Kids

swirl

verb \ ˈswərl \

Definition of swirl for Students

swirled; swirling

: to move with a spinning or twisting motion

swirl

noun

Definition of swirl for Students

1 : a spinning mass or motion : eddy

a swirl of water

2 : busy movement or activity

She got caught up in the swirl of events.

3 : a twisting shape or mark

The ice cream has chocolate swirls.

Learn More about swirl

See words that rhyme with swirl Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swirl Spanish Central: Translation of swirl Nglish: Translation of swirl for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of swirl for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swirl

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swirl

Definition of swirl

swirlingly

Examples of swirl in a Sentence

Recent Examples of swirl from the Web

Origin and Etymology of swirl

swirl Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

swirl

Definition of swirl

Examples of swirl in a Sentence

Recent Examples of swirl from the Web

First Known Use of swirl

SWIRL Defined for English Language Learners

swirl

Definition of swirl for English Language Learners

swirl

Definition of swirl for English Language Learners

SWIRL Defined for Kids

swirl

Definition of swirl for Students

swirl

Definition of swirl for Students

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