What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spins
Example
The ballerina spins gracefully on her toes. [spins: verb]
Example
The top spins faster and faster until it eventually falls over. [spins: noun]
Example
After riding the rollercoaster, I felt dizzy from all the spinning. [spinning: gerund or present participle]
whirl
Example
The leaves whirl in the wind as the storm approaches. [whirl: verb]
Example
She took a whirl around the dance floor with her partner. [whirl: noun]
Example
He made a whirlwind trip to Europe, visiting five countries in ten days. [whirlwind: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spin is more commonly used than whirl in everyday language. Spin is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while whirl is less common and has a more specific meaning.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between spins and whirl?
Both spin and whirl are informal words that can be used in casual conversation or writing. However, spin may be more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, while whirl is more commonly used in creative or artistic contexts.
