eddy
5 synonyms for eddy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A swirl of water or air that spins in the opposite direction to the main flow around it.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A swirl of water or air that spins in the opposite direction to the main flow around it.
“Leaves spun round and round in an eddy near the riverbank.”
How to use eddy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a swirling eddy
eddy of wind
eddy currents
Etymology
From Middle English eddy, built from the old prefix ed- ("back, again") plus ea ("water") — literally water that turns back on itself.
Full origin of eddy →Frequently asked questions
What does “eddy” mean?
The word “eddy” means a swirl of water or air that spins in the opposite direction to the main flow around it. In plain terms, a small circular current of water or air moving against the main flow.
How do you pronounce “eddy”?
“Eddy” is pronounced EHD-ee (/ˈɛd.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “eddy” in a sentence?
Here is “eddy” used in a sentence: “Leaves spun round and round in an eddy near the riverbank.”
What part of speech is “eddy”?
Depending on how it is used, “eddy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “eddy” come from?
The word “eddy” comes from Middle English. From Middle English eddy, built from the old prefix ed- ("back, again") plus ea ("water") — literally water that turns back on itself.
Is “eddy” a common word?
“Eddy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “eddy” have?
“Eddy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a swirl of water or air that spins in the opposite direction to the main flow around it.
