swirl

1 of 2

verb

ˈswər(-ə)l 

swirled; swirling; swirls

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

ˈswər-liŋ-lē 

adverb

swirl

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms of swirl

Verb

• stir

Examples of swirl in a Sentence

Verb

The water swirled around the drain.

kept swirling her lemonade until the ice had melted and it was completely watered down

Noun

A swirl of smoke rose from the chimney.

He painted swirls of color on the canvas.

ice cream with chocolate swirls

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Edition brand has found its way into a variety of international cities as diverse as Reykjavik and Tampa, lending the Marriott portfolio a certain club appeal, where guests and locals swirl together. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Inside the prayer hall, the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet unfurls with swirling floral patterns, and chandeliers echo date palms and blossoms. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

Noun

Ocean-facing rooms have hot tubs built into the balconies and few things are more relaxing than watching the neon-pinky swirl of sunset from the tub, through the layer of jungle bush. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

The images show the somewhat hurricanelike swirl of UV light during the auroral substorm over the North Pole. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for swirl

• burl
• churl
• earl
• girl
• hurl
• merl
• merle
• perle
• twirl
• whirl
• whorl
• cowgirl

Kids Definition

swirl

1 of 2 noun

ˈswər(-ə)l 

1

: a whirling mass or motion : eddy

2

: whirling confusion

lost in the swirl of events

3

: a twisting shape, mark, or pattern

swirl

2 of 2 verb

1

: to move with or pass in a swirl

2

: to be marked with or arranged in swirls

3

: to cause to swirl

swirlingly

ˈswər-liŋ-lē

adverb