What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
droning
Example
The sound of the fan droning in the background helped me fall asleep. [droning: verb]
Example
The droning of the airplane engine made it difficult to concentrate on reading. [droning: noun]
whirring
Example
The sound of the blender whirring woke up the baby. [whirring: verb]
Example
The whirring of the computer fan indicated that it was overheating. [whirring: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whirring is more commonly used than droning in everyday language. Whirring is often used to describe the sound of machines or devices, while droning is less common and usually used to describe a prolonged and dull speech or lecture.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between droning and whirring?
Both droning and whirring are relatively informal words, but droning may be slightly more formal due to its association with lectures or speeches.
