swirl

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /swɜːrl/ UK /swɜːl/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

verb
to move in a twisting or spiraling pattern

The smoke began to swirl around the room.
2

noun
a twisting or spiraling shape or pattern

The cake was decorated with chocolate swirls.
3

noun
a state of confusion or disorder

Her mind was in a swirl of emotions.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to move in a twisting or... twirl spiral twist whirl spin

2 noun · a twisting or spiraling... spiral vortex eddy helix coil

3 noun · a state of confusion or... confusion turmoil whirl commotion

Opposites

stillness calm

Simplified etymology

Swirl first appeared in late Middle English as a Scots word meaning “whirlpool.” It may come from Low German or Dutch and is related to Dutch zwirrelen, “to whirl.”

Etymology

From Middle English swirlen ('to whirl, swirl'), recorded from the 14th century; into Early Modern English swirl and Modern English swirl ('to move in a twisting pattern').

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# swirl

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /swɜːrl/
**IPA (UK):** /swɜːl/

## Meanings
1. to move in a twisting or spiraling pattern
2. a twisting or spiraling shape or pattern
3. a state of confusion or disorder

## Examples
- The smoke began to swirl around the room.
- The cake was decorated with chocolate swirls.
- Her mind was in a swirl of emotions.

## Synonyms
- twirl
- spiral
- twist
- whirl
- spin
- vortex
- eddy
- helix
- coil
- confusion
- turmoil
- commotion

## Antonyms
- stillness
- calm

## Etymology
From Middle English swirlen ('to whirl, swirl'), recorded from the 14th century; into Early Modern English swirl and Modern English swirl ('to move in a twisting pattern').

## AI Etymology
Swirl comes from Middle English swirlen ('to whirl, swirl'), recorded from the 14th century; into Early Modern English swirl and Modern English swirl ('to move in a twisting pattern'). In current use it is a verb and noun meaning "to move in a twisting or spiraling pattern". That sense is explained by the older material without requiring a speculative semantic step: the inherited or borrowed base supplies the field of meaning, while the English formation fixes its modern role. The history is mainly one of transmission into English, with the older form and sense carried through borrowing or adaptation. For dictionary purposes, the important point is the continuity between the older form, the route into English, and the present lexical sense.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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