pinwheel
3 synonyms for pinwheel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A children's toy with a wheel-shaped head on a stick that spins round in the wind.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
rollup
swirl
How to use pinwheel
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a spinning pinwheel
ham and cheese pinwheels
pinwheel sandwiches
It's an everyday, informal word used in both children's play and cooking contexts.
Etymology
Formed in English by joining pin, for the pivot the toy turns on, with wheel, describing its spinning shape.
Full origin of pinwheel →Frequently asked questions
What is a pinwheel toy?
It's a children's toy with a wheel-shaped head on a stick that spins in the wind.
What is a pinwheel in cooking?
It's food made by rolling a flat filled sheet, such as pastry or bread, into a spiral before slicing.
Why is it called a pinwheel?
The name combines pin, for the pivot it spins on, and wheel, for its round spinning shape.
