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

In the movie, Amanda (Gubelmann) and Jack (Grazzini) had a whirlwind romance and got married after knowing each other for only three months. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

Zendaya’s 2026 press circuit has been a whirlwind of angelic waves and edgy glam. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 12 Sep. 2026

Adjective

One of the most challenging blind spots in modern leadership is learning how to guide our own internal systems through whirlwind revolutions, life transitions and change. — Patrick Murphy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

At the designer’s New York Fashion Week show, Ricky Lauren sat front row along with other members of the Lauren family as her husband took guests on a whirlwind romantic escape ahead of the official launch of New York Fashion Week. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 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
• downwind
• rescind
• upwind
• woodwind
• finned
• ginned
• grinned
• pinned
• sinned
• skinned
• thinned

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