whirl
21 synonyms for whirl, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To spin or turn around quickly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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 spin or turn around quickly.
“The dancers whirled across the floor to the music.”
How to use whirl
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a whirl of activity
give it a whirl
whirl around
Etymology
From Middle English whirlen, related to Old English hweorfan, "to turn" — the same root that eventually gave English the word "wharf".
Full origin of whirl →Frequently asked questions
What does “whirl” mean?
The word “whirl” means to spin or turn around quickly. In plain terms, to spin quickly, or a state of rapid, confusing activity.
How do you pronounce “whirl”?
“Whirl” is pronounced wurl (/(h)wɝl/ in IPA).
How do you use “whirl” in a sentence?
Here is “whirl” used in a sentence: “The dancers whirled across the floor to the music.”
What part of speech is “whirl”?
Depending on how it is used, “whirl” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “whirl” come from?
The word “whirl” comes from Old English. From Middle English whirlen, related to Old English hweorfan, "to turn" — the same root that eventually gave English the word "wharf".
How many meanings does “whirl” have?
“Whirl” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to spin or turn around quickly.
