Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis; to spin or whirl.
   • To move in a spiral or circular course; to wind around.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause to revolve or spin.

Usage

• As an intransitive verb, "gyrate" describes the action of an object or person spinning rapidly or moving in a circular path. It often implies a lively, energetic, or uncontrolled motion.
• As a transitive verb (less common), it means to cause something to spin or revolve.

Examples

• Intransitive use:

  • The dervishes gyrate around and around without getting dizzy.
  • The leaves gyrated in the whirlwind before falling to the ground.
  • On the dance floor, the performers gyrated to the pulsating music.

• Transitive use:

  • The mechanic gyrated the wheel to check its balance. (This usage is less frequent; "spin" or "rotate" is often preferred.)

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Technical Context: In physics or biology, "gyrate" can describe the motion of particles, celestial bodies, or components within a system.
  • Electrons gyrate around the nucleus.
• Figurative Use: It can describe non-physical, rapid, or convoluted movement, such as in thought or market prices.
  • His thoughts gyrated from one plan to another without conclusion.
  • Stock prices gyrated wildly throughout the trading session.

Variants and Related Words

• Gyration (noun): The act of gyrating; a circular or spiral motion.
  • The gyration of the fan blades created a cooling breeze.
• Gyratory (adjective): Moving in a circle or spiral; revolving.
  • The city installed a new gyratory traffic system.

Synonyms

• Whirl: To spin rapidly.
• Rotate: To turn around a central point.
• Revolve: To move in a circular orbit around a central point.
• Spin: To turn or cause to turn rapidly.
• Twirl: To spin quickly and lightly.
• Swirl: To move in a twisting or spiraling pattern.

Antonyms

• Remain still: To be motionless.
• Stand: To be in an upright, stationary position.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Gyrate around": To move in circles around a central point or issue.
  • The debate kept gyrating around the same topic without progress.
• "Go into a gyration": To begin spinning or moving erratically (often used figuratively).
  • The news sent the social media feeds into a gyration of conflicting opinions.

Verb

1. revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
   • The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy
2. to wind or move in a spiral course
   • the muscles and nerves of his fine drawn body were coiling for action
   • black smoke coiling up into the sky
   • the young people gyrated on the dance floor