swirl
8 synonyms for swirl, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To move in a twisting, circular pattern.
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. verb
To move in a twisting, circular pattern.
“Leaves swirled around the yard in the autumn wind.”
2. noun
A twisting, circular pattern or motion.
“The barista drew a swirl of milk on top of the latte.”
How to use swirl
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a swirl of color
swirl around
chocolate swirl
Etymology
Probably from Old Norse, related to a word meaning "to swing or twirl"; the same family gives us swarm.
Full origin of swirl →Frequently asked questions
What does “swirl” mean?
The word “swirl” means to move in a twisting, circular pattern. In plain terms, a twisting, circular movement or pattern, or to move that way.
How do you pronounce “swirl”?
“Swirl” is pronounced swurl (/swɝl/ in IPA).
How do you use “swirl” in a sentence?
Here is “swirl” used in a sentence: “Leaves swirled around the yard in the autumn wind.”
What part of speech is “swirl”?
Depending on how it is used, “swirl” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “swirl” come from?
The word “swirl” comes from Old Norse. Probably from Old Norse, related to a word meaning "to swing or twirl"; the same family gives us swarm.
How many meanings does “swirl” have?
“Swirl” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move in a twisting, circular pattern.
