SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

whiz

verb
Save Word
\ ˈ(h)wiz How to pronounce whiz (audio) \
variants: or whizz
whizzed; whizzing

Definition of whiz

 (Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to hum, whir, or hiss like a speeding object (such as an arrow or ball) passing through air
2 : to fly or move swiftly especially with a whiz cars whizzing by

transitive verb

: to cause to whiz especially : to rotate very rapidly

whiz

noun (1)
variants: or whizz
plural whizzes

Definition of whiz (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a hissing, buzzing, or whirring sound
2 : a movement or passage of something accompanied by a whizzing sound
3 sometimes vulgar : an act of urinating —used especially in the phrase take a whiz

whiz

noun (2)
plural whizzes

Definition of whiz (Entry 3 of 3)

: wizard sense 2 a math whiz
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about whiz

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for whiz

Synonyms: Verb

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of whiz in a Sentence

Verb The ball whizzed through the air. Cars whizzed by on the highway. He whizzed past us on skates. She whizzed through the exam.
See More

First Known Use of whiz

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1914, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for whiz

Verb

imitative

Noun (2)

probably by shortening & alteration

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about whiz

Statistics for whiz

Cite this Entry

“Whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiz. Accessed 4 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for whiz

whiz

verb
How to pronounce whiz (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of whiz

informal
: to move quickly while making a buzzing or humming sound
: to pass by quickly
chiefly British : to accomplish or complete something easily

See the full definition for whiz in the English Language Learners Dictionary

whiz

verb
variants: or whizz \ ˈhwiz , ˈwiz \
whizzed; whizzing

Kids Definition of whiz

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: to move, pass, or fly rapidly with a buzzing sound … one of the balls, whizzing close to my head, struck him.— Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

whiz

noun
variants: or whizz
plural whizzes

Kids Definition of whiz (Entry 2 of 3)

: a buzzing sound the whiz of passing traffic

whiz

noun
plural whizzes

Kids Definition of whiz (Entry 3 of 3)

: wizard sense 2 a math whiz

More from Merriam-Webster on whiz

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for whiz

Nglish: Translation of whiz for Spanish Speakers

Comments on whiz

What made you want to look up whiz? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

smorgasbord

Listen to the pronunciation of smorgasbord

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz

  • squirrel in winter
  • Which is a synonym of perdure?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games