Search Dictionary
Definition of whirlybird

whirlybird

/ˈwɝːliˌbɝːd/
whir · ly · bird
Plural:whirlybirds
JUMP TO:

whirlybird Lexical Profile

whirlybird Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An informal or humorous term for a helicopter or similar rotorcraft.

Example

"The rescue team arrived in a whirlybird to airlift the stranded hikers from the ridge."

2

North American The winged seed pod (samara) of a maple tree, which spins like a helicopter rotor as it falls to the ground.

Example

"In late spring, the children loved tossing maple whirlybirds into the air and watching them spiral down."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for whirlybird

• Nearby Words

whirlpool
whirlwind
whirly
whirlybird
whisk
whisker
whiskered

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-20th-century American English as a playful compound of 'whirly' (spinning) and 'bird' (slang for an aircraft), referring to the rotating overhead blades of a helicopter.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Whirlybird. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/whirlybird
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.