whirl whirl /ˈhwɝːl/

noun

1. () Confused movement  ( commotion , whirl )
   confused movement
    He was caught up in a whirl of work
   he was caught up in a whirl of work
    A commotion of people fought for the exits
   a commotion of people fought for the exits
   
2. The act of rotating rapidly  ( spin , twirl , twisting , twist , whirl )
   the act of rotating rapidly
    He gave the crank a spin
   he gave the crank a spin
    It broke off after much twisting
   it broke off after much twisting
   
3. [Informal] A usually brief attempt  ( crack , fling , go , offer , pass , whirl [Informal] )
   a usually brief attempt
    He took a crack at it
   he took a crack at it
    I gave it a whirl
   I gave it a whirl
   
4. The shape of something rotating rapidly  ( convolution , vortex , whirl , swirl )
   the shape of something rotating rapidly
     The artist used bold brushstrokes to create a swirl of colors on the canvas.
   The artist used bold brushstrokes to create a swirl of colors on the canvas.
   
   

verb

1. () Turn in a twisting or spinning motion  ( twizzle , twiddle , twirl , swirl , whirl )
   turn in a twisting or spinning motion
    The leaves swirled in the autumn wind
   The leaves swirled in the autumn wind
   
2. () Cause to spin  ( birl [UK] , spin , twirl , whirl )
   cause to spin
    Spin a coin
   spin a coin
   
3. () Revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis  ( gyrate , reel , whirl , spin , spin around )
   revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
    The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy
   The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy
   
4. () Flow in a circular current, of liquids  ( whirlpool , eddy , whirl , purl , swirl )
   flow in a circular current, of liquids
   
5. Fly around  ( whirl , whirl around , tumble )
   fly around
    The clothes tumbled in the dryer
   The clothes tumbled in the dryer
    Rising smoke whirled in the air
   rising smoke whirled in the air