whirlwind

1 of 2

noun

whirl·​wind ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l-ˌwind 

1

: a small rotating windstorm of limited extent

2

a

: a confused rush : whirl

a whirlwind of meetings

b

: a violent or destructive force or agency

whirlwind

2 of 2

adjective

: resembling a whirlwind especially in speed or force

a whirlwind campaign

a whirlwind romance

Synonyms of whirlwind

Adjective

• rapid
• brisk
• quick
• fast
• galloping

Examples of whirlwind in a Sentence

Noun

My life has been a whirlwind lately.

He attended a whirlwind of meetings.

Adjective

The band went on a whirlwind concert tour.

They were married after a whirlwind romance.

We continued on at a whirlwind pace.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The last half-decade has been a whirlwind for Suarez, starting with his viral 2020 tweet pitching the city as the next Silicon Valley. —Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025

The season 5 finale brings Emily back to Paris after a whirlwind season in Rome, but the drama is far from over. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025

Adjective

It’s been quite the whirlwind year for Black love. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 4 Dec. 2025

The melodies are subtly beefier, and the whirlwind flights of technical death-metal wizardry get breathers. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1727, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for whirlwind

• chagrined
• crosswind
• downwind
• rescind
• upwind
• woodwind
• finned
• ginned
• grinned
• pinned
• sinned
• skinned

Kids Definition

whirlwind

1 of 2 noun

whirl·​wind -ˌwind 

: a small windstorm of rapidly rotating air

whirlwind

2 of 2 adjective

: resembling a whirlwind especially in speed or force

a whirlwind campaign

a whirlwind romance