whirling
gb/wˈɚlɪŋ/ us/wˈɚlɪŋ/
B2
Inglês
~ 8000
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
B2
action
1
spinning quickly in circles
Moving or turning very fast in a circle.
Padrão de uso:
a whirling [object]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes use "whirling" for straight, fast movement (e.g., *a whirling car on the highway*). "Whirling" should describe circular or spinning movement; for fast, straight movement, words like "racing" or "speeding" are better.
Sinónimos
spinning (More general and common; does not always suggest very fast or dramatic movement.)
Antónimos
still (Describes something not moving at all, the opposite of whirling motion.)
Colocações
whirling blades
|whirling snow
|whirling wind
|whirling dust
|whirling motion
|whirling dancers
Temas
movement
|nature
|physics
|space
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- The whirling blades of the helicopter chopped through the air.
- We watched the whirling snow outside the window during the storm.
- A cloud of whirling dust rose behind the speeding car.
- Colorful skirts flew out around the whirling dancers.
- The whirling fan cooled the small, crowded room.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The whirling fan makes the room feel cool.
- We saw whirling leaves in the strong wind.
- The child stared at the whirling wheels of the train.
- The whirling toy made the baby laugh.
- Whirling smoke rose from the fire.
adjective
C1
state
2
rapid, confusing mental activity
Having many thoughts or feelings moving very fast in your mind, so you feel confused or stressed.
Padrão de uso:
[someone]'s whirling [thoughts/feelings]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes think "whirling" here means physically dizzy. In this sense, it describes fast, confusing mental or emotional activity, not the body moving.
Sinónimos
overwhelmed (Focuses more on the feeling of being unable to cope, not on the fast, spinning quality of thoughts.)
Antónimos
calm (Describes a quiet, steady mental or emotional state, the opposite of whirling thoughts or feelings.)
Colocações
whirling thoughts
|whirling emotions
|a whirling mind
|whirling ideas
Temas
emotions
|psychology
|health
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- She sat in silence, her mind whirling with questions.
- His whirling thoughts kept him awake long into the night.
- With so many options, my head was whirling and I couldn’t decide.
- He tried to focus on his work, but whirling worries kept distracting him.
- After the accident, a whirling mix of fear and relief ran through him.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- My mind is whirling after the exam.
- Her whirling thoughts make it hard to sleep.
- The news left him with whirling feelings.
- So many problems came at once that his head was whirling.
- I sat quietly to slow my whirling mind.
Nome
literary
C1
event
3
the act of spinning quickly
The action of moving or turning very fast in a circle.
Padrão de uso:
the whirling of [something]
Sinónimos
spinning (More common and less literary; often used in both everyday and technical contexts.)
Antónimos
stillness (Emphasizes the complete absence of movement, contrasting with ongoing whirling.)
Colocações
the whirling of the blades
|constant whirling
|sudden whirling
|the whirling of dancers
Temas
movement
|description
|space
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- The constant whirling of the engine made a low humming sound.
- From above, the whirling of the carnival ride looked almost hypnotic.
- The sudden whirling of the birds startled the quiet park.
- He watched the whirling of the dancers, lost in the music.
- The loud whirling of the fans filled the small workshop.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The whirling of the fan helps me sleep.
- We heard the whirling of the helicopter above us.
- The whirling of the toy made the baby smile.
- The whirling of leaves filled the yard in autumn.
- The whirling of the wheels was very loud.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
whirling
IPA
GB/wˈɚlɪŋ/
US/wˈɚlɪŋ/
Sílabas e acento
whirl - ing (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (whirl)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: whirling
- Comparative: whirlinger
- Superlative: whirlingest
Noun
- Base: whirling
- Plural: whirlings
Família de palavras
Expressões
whirling dervish
1/wˈɚlɪŋ dˈɚvɪʃ/
idiom
a very energetic, busy person
A person who moves around very fast and does many things with a lot of energy.
Exemplos
- She rushed from room to room like a whirling dervish, cleaning before the guests arrived.
- The toddler was a little whirling dervish, running and jumping all afternoon.