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

As the day continued, Round 3 in and of itself was a whirlwind. —Mike Defabo, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

The palate is a whirlwind of flavors, ranging from soft baking spice to floral incense to assertive oaky tannins to sweet vanilla. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2026

Adjective

When trade negotiations began during a whirlwind week of free agency, Jackson was offered the opportunity to provide a list of preferred landing spots — and a voice in a final deal. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

While many couples have whirlwind romances, others have delayed their nuptials for a number of reasons, from not wanting to rush things to the COVID-19 pandemic. —Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

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