vortex
VAWR-tehks
Vortex (noun) means a spinning mass of air, water, or other matter that pulls things toward its centre, such as a whirlpool or whirlwind. Example: “Water spiraled down the drain in a tight little vortex.”
noun
1
A spinning mass of air, water, or other matter that pulls things toward its centre, such as a whirlpool or whirlwind.
"Water spiraled down the drain in a tight little vortex."
"The tornado formed a violent vortex that tore through the fields."
2
A situation of intense, chaotic activity that seems to draw everything nearby into it.
"The scandal became a media vortex, sucking in one public figure after another."
"She felt trapped in a vortex of deadlines and meetings."
How to use vortex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA whirling, sucking motion — literal (water, wind) or figurative (a chaotic situation you get pulled into).
Common pairings
a vortex of chaos
spiral into a vortex
swirling vortex
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Word forms
- Plural
- vortices, vortexes
- Third person singular
- vortexes
- Past tense
- vortexed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Water spiraled down the drain in a tight little _____.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin vortex, "whirl" — a doublet of the word vertex.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for vortex
See all rhymes for vortex →Frequently asked questions
What does “vortex” mean?
The word “vortex” means a spinning mass of air, water, or other matter that pulls things toward its centre, such as a whirlpool or whirlwind. In plain terms, a whirling, sucking motion — literal (water, wind) or figurative (a chaotic situation you get pulled into).
How do you pronounce “vortex”?
“Vortex” is pronounced VAWR-tehks (/ˈvɔɹtɛks/ in IPA).
How do you use “vortex” in a sentence?
Here is “vortex” used in a sentence: “Water spiraled down the drain in a tight little vortex.”
What part of speech is “vortex”?
“Vortex” is a noun.
Where does the word “vortex” come from?
The word “vortex” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from Latin vortex, "whirl" — a doublet of the word vertex.
Is “vortex” a common word?
“Vortex” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “vortex” have?
“Vortex” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spinning mass of air, water, or other matter that pulls things toward its centre, such as a whirlpool or whirlwind.
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