twirl

1 of 2

verb

ˈtwər-(-ə)l 

twirled; twirling; twirls

intransitive verb

1

: to revolve rapidly

dancers twirling on the dance floor

The kite twirled in the wind.

2

: to pitch in a baseball game

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to rotate rapidly

twirl a baton

b

: to twist or wrap

nervously twirling her hair

twirled the spaghetti around his fork

2

: pitch sense 2a

twirler

ˈtwər-lər 

noun

twirl

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act of twirling

2

: coil, whorl

twirly

ˈtwər-lē 

adjective

Synonyms of twirl

Verb

• rotate
• turn
• spin
• swing
• twist
• swirl
• whirl

Noun

• rotation
• spin
• roll
• curve

Examples of twirl in a Sentence

Verb

They twirled past us on the dance floor.

The cheerleaders jumped and twirled.

The kite twisted and twirled in the wind.

The chef twirled the noodles around his fork.

Noun

The dancers executed perfect twirls.

the twirl of the dancer's skirt mesmerized me

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

During the silence, a little girl twirled on the tile floor by the stage. —Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026

Dressed in all white, the trio of musicians performed from the center of the stage while dancers twirled golden flags in time to the song. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2026

Noun

The unconscious Moon twirls into your 12th House of Whispers, inviting gentle reflection and rest that helps your inner world reorganize. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026

The dance world has often based its plaudits on how spectacularly performers can defy gravity with leaps, kicks and twirls. —Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect tvirla to twirl; akin to Old High German dweran to stir

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for twirl

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

Kids Definition

twirl

1 of 2 verb

ˈtwər(-ə)l 

: to turn or cause to turn rapidly

twirl a baton

twirler noun

twirl

2 of 2 noun

: an act of twirling