Synonyms

whir

American

[hwur, wur] / ʰwɜr, wɜr /

Or whirr

verb (used without object)

whirred, whirring

to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound.

An electric fan whirred softly in the corner.

verb (used with object)

whirred, whirring

to move or transport (a thing, person, etc.) with a whirring sound.

The plane whirred them away into the night.

noun

an act or sound of whirring.

the whir of wings.

whir British

/ wɜː /

noun

a prolonged soft swish or buzz, as of a motor working or wings flapping
a bustle or rush

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

to make or cause to make a whir

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of whir

1350–1400; Middle English quirre ( Scots ) < Scandinavian; compare Danish hvirre, Norwegian kvirra. See whirl

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Keeping the systems whirring is a constant operation, with technicians on site even during religious holidays.

From Barron's

When Warner reached Porepunkah, desperate to help, it was silent but for the whirring of helicopters above, he said.

From BBC

It made a soft whirring sound, almost musical.

From Literature

I press my ear to Tūtū’s chest and listen to her steady heartbeat, the whirs and whispers of her lungs.

From Literature

And then into the silence came a whirring sound.

From Literature

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