whirr

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun sound of something in rapid motion
  2. verb make a soft swishing sound
  3. verb make a vibrant sound, as of some birds

Etymology

From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

whir, whirring, birr

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