noun
Uncommon
eddy
EHD-ee
Eddy (noun) means a swirl of water or air that spins in the opposite direction to the main flow around it. Example: “Leaves spun round and round in an eddy near the riverbank.”
noun
1
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."
"A cold eddy formed where the two currents met."
verb
1
To swirl or circle back on itself, the way water or air does around an obstacle.
"Smoke eddied around the chimney before drifting off."
"Mist eddied through the valley at dawn."
How to use eddy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small circular current of water or air moving against the main flow.
Common pairings
a swirling eddy
eddy of wind
eddy currents
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Word forms
- Plural
- eddies, eddys
- Third person singular
- eddies
- Past tense
- eddied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Leaves spun round and round in an _____ near the riverbank.
Etymology
From Middle English eddy, built from the old prefix ed- ("back, again") plus ea ("water") — literally water that turns back on itself.
Related words
Rhymes for eddy
See all rhymes for 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.
