Whirlwind Meaning
/ˈwɜːlwɪnd/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA windstorm of limited extent, such as a tornado, dust devil, or waterspout, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air.
nounA person or body of objects or events sweeping violently onward.
Sentence Examples
My friends gave us a whirlwind tour of Paris.
Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.
CEFR Practice Quiz
A sudden ____ of dust and debris swept through the desert.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The project was finished in a ____ of activity, as everyone worked very hard to meet the upcoming and important deadline today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English whirlewind, whirlewynde, equivalent to whirl + wind. Compare Middle Dutch wervelwint, Old Norse hvirfilvindr.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"VVhile in the mean time there iſſued out on the Eaſt-ſide a ſtrong VVind, but pure and refreſhing, vvhich dividing into ſeveral parts that turned round became ſo many innocuous VVhirl-vvinds of ſincere Air, tinctured only vvith a cool refreſhing ſmell, as if it had paſſed over ſome large field of Lilies and Roſes."
— 1713, Franciscus Euistor the Palæopolite [pseudonym; Henry More], “The Fifth Dialogue”, in Divine Dialogues, Containing Sundry Disquisitions & Instructions Concerning the Attributes of God and His Providence in the World. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Joseph Downing […], →OCLC, paragraph XXXVIII, page 515:
"And his hoofs ground the rocks to fire and dust, / His strong sides made the torrents rise in spray, / And turbulence, as if a whirlwind’s gust / Surrounded us; […]"
— 1818, Percy Bysshe Shelley, “(please specify the page)”, in The Revolt of Islam; […], London: […] [F]or C[harles] and J[ames] Ollier, […]; by B[uchanan] M‘Millan, […], →OCLC, (please specify the stanza number):
"So you aren't deserting the Caversham ship. They'll understand. After all, their courtship was pretty whirlwind itself."
— 2016, Nina Milne, Rafael's Contract Bride, page 60:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A sudden ____ of dust and debris swept through the desert.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The project was finished in a ____ of activity, as everyone worked very hard to meet the upcoming and important deadline today.