/ wɜːl; NAmE wɜːrl/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to move, or make sb/sth move, around quickly in a circle or in a particular direction
SYN spin :
[ v ]
Leaves whirled in the wind.
She whirled around to face him.
the whirling blades of the helicopter
[ vn ]
Tom whirled her across the dance floor.
2.
[ v ] if your mind, thoughts, etc. whirl , you feel confused and excited and cannot think clearly
SYN reel :
I couldn't sleep—my mind was whirling from all that had happened.
So many thoughts whirled around in her mind.
■ noun [ sing. ]
1.
a movement of sth spinning round and round :
a whirl of dust
( figurative )
Her mind was in a whirl (= in a state of confusion or excitement) .
2.
a number of activities or events happening one after the other :
Her life was one long whirl of parties.
It's easy to get caught up in the social whirl .
•
IDIOMS
- give sth a whirl
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : the verb probably from Old Norse hvirfla turn about; the noun partly from Middle Low German , Middle Dutch wervel spindle, or from Old Norse hvirfill circle, from a Germanic base meaning rotate.