Definition

1. Noun:

   • A rapid rotating movement: A swift, circular motion around a central point.
   • A state of confused and hurried movement or activity: A busy, chaotic, and often overwhelming succession of events or sensations.
   • A brief attempt or trial: An act of trying something out, often for the first time.

2. Verb:

   • To spin or revolve rapidly: To turn around quickly and repeatedly on an axis or center.
   • To move or cause to move in a circular or spiraling course: To flow, drive, or carry along with a swift, circular motion.
   • To feel dizzy or disoriented: To have a sensation of spinning or confusion, as if the head is whirling.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The dancer's final whirl was breathtaking. (The dancer's final rapid spin was breathtaking.)
  • My mind was in a whirl after hearing the shocking news. (My mind was in a state of confused activity after hearing the shocking news.)
  • I've never tried sushi before, but I'll give it a whirl. (I've never tried sushi before, but I'll give it a try.)

• Verb:

  • The fallen leaves began to whirl in the gust of wind. (The fallen leaves began to spin rapidly in the gust of wind.)
  • The propeller whirled to life. (The propeller began to spin rapidly to life.)
  • The events of the day made my head whirl. (The events of the day made my head feel dizzy and confused.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be caught up in a whirl of [something]": to be deeply involved in a hectic or confusing series of activities.

  • She was caught up in a whirl of social engagements. (She was deeply involved in a hectic series of social engagements.)

• "to whirl away": to depart or be carried off quickly, as if spinning.

  • The car whirled away in a cloud of dust. (The car departed quickly in a cloud of dust.)

Variants and Related Words

• Whirlwind (n): A rapidly rotating column of air; (figuratively) a very energetic or chaotic person or period.

  • Their romance was a whirlwind. (Their romance was very fast-paced and intense.)

• Whirly (adj, informal): Characterized by whirling or spinning.

• Whirling (adj/n): The act of spinning; that which spins.

Synonyms

• Noun: Spin, rotation, twirl, swirl, commotion, flurry, attempt, try.
• Verb: Spin, rotate, twirl, swirl, revolve, pirouette, reel.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Whirl around: To turn or spin around quickly.
  • He whirled around when he heard his name. (He turned around quickly when he heard his name.)

Related Idioms

• "Give it a whirl": To try something, to attempt it.

  • I don't know if I can fix it, but I'll give it a whirl. (I don't know if I can fix it, but I'll try.)

• "In a whirl": In a state of excited confusion or dizzying activity.

  • After winning the lottery, her life was in a whirl. (After winning the lottery, her life was in a state of excited confusion.)

Noun

1. the act of rotating rapidly
   • he gave the crank a spin
   • it broke off after much twisting
2. a usually brief attempt
   • he took a crack at it
   • I gave it a whirl
3. the shape of something rotating rapidly
4. confused movement
   • he was caught up in a whirl of work
   • a commotion of people fought for the exits

Verb

1. fly around
   • The clothes tumbled in the dryer
   • rising smoke whirled in the air
2. revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
   • The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy
3. flow in a circular current, of liquids
4. cause to spin
   • spin a coin
5. turn in a twisting or spinning motion
   • The leaves swirled in the autumn wind