whirlwind

Meaning

Noun

1. A 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.
2. (figuratively) A person or body of objects or events sweeping violently onward.

Adj

Rapid and minimal.

Synonyms

tornado

🌪️

cyclone

🌀

twister

vortex

eddy

hurricane

whirlpool

twirl

dust devil

storm

wind

waterspout

willy-willy

turbulence

swirl

typhoon

whirl

maelstrom

curl

landspout

dust

gale

gust

gust of wind

gyre

hurly-burly

reel

scurry

smoke

tempest

tourbillon

turbine

windstorm

dust whirl

whirlblast

violent gust of wind

circular blowing wind

Translations

tourbillon

Wirbelwind

torbellino

wervelwind

ανεμοστρόβιλος

Wirbelsturm

cyclone

🌀

turbilhão

remolino

Wirbel

tornade

🌪️

mulinello di vento

trombe

ciclone

🌀

tromba d’aria

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈwɜːlwɪnd/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: whirlewind

Cognate with Middle Dutch: wervelwint

Cognate with Old Norse: hvirfilvindr

In summary

From Middle English whirlewind, whirlewynde, equivalent to whirl + wind. Compare Middle Dutch wervelwint, Old Norse hvirfilvindr.