What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spiral
Example
The staircase was designed in a spiral shape to save space. [spiral: adjective]
Example
The tornado created a spiral of destruction as it moved through the town. [spiral: noun]
whorl
Example
The detective examined the whorls on the suspect's fingerprints. [whorl: noun]
Example
The rose bush had whorls of pink and white petals. [whorls: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spiral is more commonly used than whorl in everyday language, and is more likely to be understood by a wider audience.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spiral and whorl?
While both words can be used in formal or technical contexts, whorl is more likely to be used in specialized fields such as biology or forensics, while spiral can be used in a wider range of settings.
