verb
swirl
swurl
Swirl (verb) means to move in a twisting, circular pattern. Example: “Leaves swirled around the yard in the autumn wind.”
verb
1
To move in a twisting, circular pattern.
"Leaves swirled around the yard in the autumn wind."
"She swirled the wine in her glass before tasting it."
noun
1
A twisting, circular pattern or motion.
"The barista drew a swirl of milk on top of the latte."
How to use swirl
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA twisting, circular movement or pattern, or to move that way.
Common pairings
a swirl of color
swirl around
chocolate swirl
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Word forms
- Plural
- swirls
- Third person singular
- swirls
- Past tense
- swirled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Leaves _____ around the yard in the autumn wind.
Etymology
Probably from Old Norse, related to a word meaning "to swing or twirl"; the same family gives us swarm.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for swirl
See all rhymes for 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.
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