WHIRLWIND Definition & Meaning

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whirlwind

[ hwurl-wind, wurl- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Meteorology. a relatively small mass of air rotating rapidly around a more or less vertical axis and simultaneously advancing over land or sea: specific categories of whirlwind include dust devil, dust whirl, tornado, and waterspout:
The sails were carried up to the mastheads by the force of the whirlwind.
anything resembling a whirlwind, as in violent action or destructive force:
a fiery whirlwind of shrapnel.
someone or something characterized by great energy or swiftness, often with an atmosphere of chaos:
a staff of three do-nothings and one whirlwind; a whirlwind of activity at the stock exchange.

adjective

like a whirlwind, as in speed or force:
a whirlwind visit to New York.
Synonyms: , , ,

verb (used without object)

to move or travel quickly:
You can't just whirlwind in and out of their lives and expect them to be OK with that.

whirlwind

/ ˈ��ɜː��ˌ��ɪ�Ի� /

noun

a column of air whirling around and towards a more or less vertical axis of low pressure, which moves along the land or ocean surface
1. a motion or course resembling this, esp in rapidity
2. ( as modifier )
  a whirlwind romance
an impetuously active person

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of whirlwind¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse hvirfilvindr; cognate with German Wirbelwind

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Idioms and Phrases

(sow the wind and) reap the whirlwind, to suffer the penalties for one's misdeeds. Hosea 8:7.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Like so much that has come out of the White House in the whirlwind first few weeks of his presidency, Wednesday's announcement has sown confusion – especially, in this case, in Africa.

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Her family lives south of the golf course on Morada Place and left in a whirlwind.

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World Indoor gold has added a stunning conclusion to a whirlwind month for Azu, who celebrated the birth of his son just one week before claiming his first individual international title on the European stage.

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The English actress is known for her role in Casualty but has gone through a "whirlwind" 18 months writing her play.

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Given his whirlwind return to the White House, he has much more pressing matters on his mind.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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