whirl

1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l 

whirled; whirling; whirls

intransitive verb

1

: to move in a circle or similar curve especially with force or speed

2

a

: to turn on or around an axis like a wheel : rotate

b

: to turn abruptly around or aside : wheel

whirled around in surprise

3

: to pass, move, or go quickly

whirled down the hallway

4

: to become giddy or dizzy : reel

my head is whirling

transitive verb

1

: to drive, impel, or convey with or as if with a rotary motion

2

a

: to cause to turn usually rapidly on or around an axis : rotate

b

: to cause to turn abruptly around or aside

3

obsolete : to throw or hurl violently with a revolving motion

whirler

ˈ(h)wər-lər 

noun

whirl

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a rapid rotating or circling movement

b

: something undergoing such a movement

2

a

: a busy or fast-paced succession of events : bustle

a whirl of activity

the social whirl

b

: a confused or disturbed mental state : turmoil

a whirl of febrile excitement

—Emily Skeel

3

: an experimental or brief attempt : try

gave it a whirl

Synonyms

Verb

• stir
• swirl

Noun

• rotation
• twirl
• spin
• roll
• curve

Examples of whirl in a Sentence

Verb

The cars were whirling around the track.

Clothes were whirling in the washing machine.

The water whirled around the drain.

Her dance partner whirled her around.

Noun

My head was in a whirl.

the whirl of the mechanical ride made him dizzy

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There will be a huge tornado in whirling fabric and a room dedicated to Oz. —Laura Bannister, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025

Waterspouts are whirling columns of air and water mist above bodies of water and can take two forms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Noun

But by embroidering the drama of an American navigating Paris Fashion Week with stories of other women caught in the whirl, Winocour dilutes them all. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025

Be sure to try on a new sleep mask before giving it a whirl; the mask should press gently against your face without feeling too tight, and there should be no gaps between the mask and your skin, especially around the nose. —Nicole Kinning, Wired News, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hvirfla to whirl; akin to Old High German wirbil whirlwind, Old English hweorfan to turn — more at wharf

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

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

Phrases Containing whirl

• give (something) a whirl
• the social whirl

Rhymes for whirl

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

Kids Definition

whirl

1 of 2 verb

ˈhwər(-ə)l 

ˈwər(-ə)l

1

: to move or drive in a circle or curve especially with force or speed

cars whirling around the track

2

a

: to turn rapidly in circles : spin

b

: to turn abruptly : wheel

whirled around in surprise

3

: to move or go quickly

whirled down the street

4

: to become dizzy : reel

my head is whirling

whirler

ˈhwər-lər 

ˈwər-

noun

whirl

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a rapid whirling movement

b

: something whirling

a whirl of dust

2

a

: a state of busy movement : bustle

a whirl of activity

b

: a confused mental state

3

: an experimental attempt : try

gave it a whirl