whisk

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noun \ ˈhwisk , ˈwisk \

Definition of whisk

1 :a quick light brushing or whipping motion

2 a :a usually wire kitchen utensil used for beating food by hand

b :a flexible bunch (as of twigs, feathers, or straw) attached to a handle for use as a brush

See whisk defined for English-language learners

See whisk defined for kids

Examples of whisk in a Sentence

with a whisk of the broom, the dirt was gone

Recent Examples of whisk from the Web

Stir often with a whisk, breaking up roux until mixture is thick.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Half roasted chicken recipe | Varanese," 15 Aug. 2017
Jomo Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu and father of the current president, was a distinctive figure with his salt-and-pepper beard and fly whisk, a symbol of authority.

— christopher torchia, The Seattle Times, "Like father, like son: Kenya goes to polls in family affair," 5 Aug. 2017
Jomo Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu and father of the current president, was a distinctive figure with his salt-and-pepper beard and fly whisk, a symbol of authority.

— Washington Post, "Like father, like son: Kenya goes to polls in family affair," 5 Aug. 2017
In a large mixing bowl, combine vinegar, oil, salt and pepper and sugar and whisk.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Here's the 'buzz' about 'Harvest Edition' Farm cooking show," 21 July 2017
Using either a large mixing bowl and wire whisk or a stand mixer, place ricotta, goat cheese and whipped egg in a bowl and mix until as smooth as possible.

— caron golden, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How to be a pasta pro," 17 July 2017
Ingredients 3 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 cup butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream Instructions In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter.

— Cincinnati.com, "Cracker Jack clone great for picnics," 5 July 2017
Using the whisk attachment, whip until stiff peaks form, about four minutes.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Cuvee Wine Table 'a perfect fit' for chef de cuisine," 4 July 2017
To make the vinaigrette whisk together the red wine vinegar and canola oil and season with salt and pepper.

— caron golden, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Brian Malarkey’s perfect picnic," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whisk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of whisk

Middle English wisk, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse visk wisp; akin to Old English wiscian to plait

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

whisk Synonyms

Synonyms

swish, switch, waggle, ¹wag

Related Words

oscillation, rock, sway, swing, waver; flap, flutter, wave, whip; flick, jerk, jolt, snap, twitch; jiggle, shake, wiggle; bob, nod

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

whisk

verb

Definition of whisk

intransitive verb

:to move nimbly and quickly

transitive verb

1 :to move or convey briskly

whisked the children off to bed

2 :to mix or fluff up by or as if by beating with a whisk

whisk egg whites

3 :to brush or wipe off lightly

See whisk defined for English-language learners

Examples of whisk in a Sentence

Whisk the eggs with the cream until the mixture thickens.
She whisked the children off to bed.
The taxi whisked me to the airport.
The waitress whisked my plate away before I was finished eating.

Recent Examples of whisk from the Web

The Phams, carried to a police staging point at a high spot in the road, were quickly whisked away Sunday, giving Phillip just a minute or two to get their names and witness their relief.

— adam geller, The Seattle Times, "Photo of Harvey rescue spreads on internet, front pages," 29 Aug. 2017
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla.

— cheryl stritzel mccarthy, chicagotribune.com, "Busy mom shares easy make-ahead breakfast ideas," 29 Aug. 2017
In another bowl, or using the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form and fold them into the flour/sugar mixture in thirds.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Lemon pudding cake recipe | Corbett's," 1 Aug. 2017
Both had been on house arrest before being whisked away in the early hours.

— nicholas casey and ana vanessa herrero, New York Times, "Jailings Raise Fears of Dictatorship in Venezuela," 1 Aug. 2017
Babies with the worst withdrawal symptoms are routinely separated from their mothers and whisked by ambulance, at great expense, to hospitals hours away, filling up beds intended for newborns who have even more serious problems, like heart defects.

— catherine saint louis, Alaska Dispatch News, "A tide of opioid-dependent newborns forces doctors to rethink treatment," 14 July 2017
The box was then whisked away and the birds were left on their own for an hour, after which they were presented with a tray that included the tool as well as three other, novel objects.

— jeffrey kluger, Time, "Here's One Way a Bird Is as Smart as You Are," 13 July 2017
While the potatoes are cooling, make the spread: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and rosemary.

— Philly.com, "Grilled Potatoes with Parmesan, Garlic and Rosemary," 29 June 2017
But for every young woman who is whisked into a comprehensive reintegration program, thousands more traumatized Boko Haram abductees have been thrust, untreated, into communities that are not equipped to tend to their wounds.

— TIME.com, "Boko Haram’s Other Victims," 27 June 2017

First Known Use of whisk

15th century

whisk Synonyms

Synonyms

accelerate, bundle, fast-track, hasten, quicken, rush, speed (up), hurry

Antonyms

brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)

Related Words

drive, goad, prod, propel, push, race, spur, stir, urge; aid, dispatch, ease, encourage, expedite, facilitate

Near Antonyms

delay, encumber, fetter, hamper, hinder, hobble, hold back, hold up, impede, interfere (with), manacle, rein (in), restrain, shackle, tie up, trammel; arrest, check, stall, stay, still, stop

WHISK Defined for English Language Learners

whisk

play

noun

Definition of whisk for English Language Learners

: a cooking tool that is made of curved wire and that is used to stir or beat things (such as eggs, whipping cream, etc.)

whisk

verb

Definition of whisk for English Language Learners

: to stir or beat (eggs, sauces, etc.) with a whisk or fork
: to move or take (someone or something) to another place very quickly

WHISK Defined for Kids

whisk

play

verb \ ˈhwisk , ˈwisk \

Definition of whisk for Students

whisked; whisking

1 :to move suddenly and quickly

She whisked us into her office.

2 :to brush with or as if with a whisk broom

3 :to stir or beat with a whisk or fork

whisk

noun

Definition of whisk for Students

1 :a quick sweeping or brushing motion

2 :a kitchen utensil of wire used for whipping (as eggs or cream)

Learn More about whisk

See words that rhyme with whisk Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for whisk Spanish Central: Translation of whisk Nglish: Translation of whisk for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of whisk for Arabic speakers

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Origin and Etymology of whisk

whisk Synonyms

Synonyms

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Other Food Terms

whisk

Definition of whisk

Examples of whisk in a Sentence

Recent Examples of whisk from the Web

First Known Use of whisk

whisk Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

WHISK Defined for English Language Learners

whisk

Definition of whisk for English Language Learners

whisk

Definition of whisk for English Language Learners

WHISK Defined for Kids

whisk

Definition of whisk for Students

whisk

Definition of whisk for Students

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