What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whirl
Example
The children were delighted as they watched the colorful carousel whirl around. [whirl: verb]
Example
She gave the hula hoop a hard spin, causing it to whirl around her waist. [whirl: noun]
swirl
Example
The ballerina's dress swirled around her as she twirled on stage. [swirled: verb]
Example
The artist used a brush to create swirls of color on the canvas. [swirls: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swirl is more commonly used than whirl in everyday language. Swirl is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while whirl is less common and often used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between whirl and swirl?
Both whirl and swirl are relatively informal words, but swirl may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with elegance and beauty.