swirl

[swurl]

verb (used without object)

1. to move around or along with a whirling motion; whirl; eddy.

2. to be dizzy or giddy, as the head.

   Synonyms: spin, reel

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to whirl; twist.

noun

1. a swirling movement; whirl; eddy.

2. a twist, as of hair around the head or of trimming on a hat.

3. any curving, twisting line, shape, or form.

4. confusion; disorder.

swirl

/ swɜːl /

verb

1. to turn or cause to turn in a twisting spinning fashion

2. (intr) to be dizzy; swim

   my head was swirling

noun

1. a whirling or spinning motion, esp in water

2. a whorl; curl

3. the act of swirling or stirring

4. dizzy confusion

Other Word Forms

• swirlingly adverb
• outswirl verb (used with object)
• swirling adjective
• swirly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swirl¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (north) < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian svirla; cognate with Dutch zwirrelen to whirl, German (dial.) schwirrlen to totter; all < a root *swir- (whence Danish svirre to whirl, German schwirren to whir) + -l- frequentative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of swirl¹

C15: probably from Dutch zwirrelen; related to Norwegian svirla, German schwirren

Example Sentences

Speculation about the timing of Great America’s closure in Santa Clara has swirled ever since the 112 acres underneath the park were sold to a San Francisco real estate company in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Wednesday pulled back the reins as allegations swirled about the Clippers circumventing the salary cap by orchestrating an endorsement deal for star forward Kawhi Leonard.

From Los Angeles Times

Debate swirls over how and when the US found out about the Israeli raid and whether it could have done more to stop it.

From BBC

Fans of rocky road ice cream can rejoice because the flavor — chocolate ice cream swirled with nuts and marshmallows — will be available in Girl Scout cookie form next year.

From Los Angeles Times

The feud stirred up a larger conversation on what exactly is worth protecting in Southern California, a region loaded with architectural marvels and Old Hollywood haunts swirling with celebrity legend and gossip.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boil 
• churn 
• roil 
• twirl 
• whirl