vortex
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.”
How to use vortex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA whirling, sucking motion — literal (water, wind) or figurative (a chaotic situation you get pulled into).
Word forms
vortexed past tense, vortices plural, vortexes plural, vortexes singular
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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