whirl
whirl Lexical Profile
whirl Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A rapid movement round and round; a spinning or revolving motion.
"The dancers finished their routine with a graceful whirl across the stage."
A state of intense, confused, or bustling activity; a dizzying succession of events or thoughts.
"Her first week at the new university passed in an exciting whirl of lectures and social events."
An informal attempt or brief trial at doing something (usually in the phrase "give it a whirl").
"I have never tried pottery before, but I am willing to give it a whirl this weekend."
• verb
To move or cause to move rapidly round and round in a circle or spiral.
"Autumn leaves whirled across the courtyard in the brisk October breeze."
To seem to spin around from dizziness, confusion, or mental overwhelm (of the head, mind, or senses).
"His mind whirled with new possibilities after attending the scientific conference."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse "whirl" (to spin rapidly) with its near-homophone "whorl" (a spiral pattern or arrangement of leaves, petals, or fingerprint ridges).
• Rhymes for whirl
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English whirlen, likely borrowed from Old Norse hvirfla ("to turn about or spin"), a frequentative of hverfa ("to turn or revolve").