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

Speculation had swirled in some circles that if Netflix, which had an agreement last December with the WBD board, hit the rocks in terms of regulation, Paramount could have swooped in down the line and snagged WBD at fire-sale prices. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026

Choose from swirling Oyster, Sunwashed Stripe, and Tandem Stripe bedding sets in premium long-staple cotton. —Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026

Noun

Enrigue is an erudite, charismatic raconteur—the sort who will tell you the most abject story with a wink—and his novel distills a byzantine swirl of historical events through the lives of a handful of very colorful characters. —Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026

As speculation swirls, much remains uncertain about Annapurna’s future. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 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