51Թ

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View synonyms for

whir

or whirr

[ hwur, wur ]

verb (used without object)

whirred, whirring.
  1. 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.
  1. to move or transport (a thing, person, etc.) with a whirring sound:

    The plane whirred them away into the night.

noun

  1. an act or sound of whirring:

    the whir of wings.

whir

/ ɜː /

noun

  1. a prolonged soft swish or buzz, as of a motor working or wings flapping
  2. 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

  1. 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
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of whir1

1350–1400; Middle English quirre ( Scots ) < Scandinavian; compare Danish hvirre, Norwegian kvirra. See whirl
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of whir1

C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian kvirra, Danish hvirre; see whirl
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A central figure in Wales' golden age, Allen was a whirring, combative constant as his country soared to dizzying new heights with their inspiring ascent to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.

From

It’s relatively quiet but for the whirring of cardio equipment and a blend of lo-fi and electronic pop music on the sound system.

From

Outside Los Angeles City Hall, the whir of helicopters overhead was drowned out by a cacophony of bullhorns and fiery chanting.

From

The warm din of clinking ceramic mugs, muted conversation and the whir of espresso machines was absent, replaced by the cold glow of a giant screen listing customers’ names in a clinical, digital procession.

From

And then, enter next, artificial intelligence, an industrial revolution whirring on countless hard drives and computer chips.

From

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