whir

1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wər 

variants or less commonly whirr

whirred; whirring

intransitive verb

: to fly, revolve, or move rapidly with a whir

hummingbirds whirring past

transitive verb

: to move or carry rapidly with a whir

whir

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly whirr

: a continuous fluttering or vibratory sound made by something in rapid motion

the whir of machinery

Synonyms

Verb

• bumble
• burr
• buzz
• drone
• hum
• whish
• whiz
• whizz
• zip
• zoom

Noun

• burr
• buzz
• chirr
• churr
• drone
• hum
• purr
• thrum
• whiz
• whizz
• zoom

Examples of whir in a Sentence

Verb

the hummingbird whirred as it hovered over a flower

our tires whirred as we traveled over the rough road

Noun

the whir of a fan

a whir coming from the refrigerator

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Elsewhere in the city, Israeli drones whir audibly overhead. —Sam Heller, TIME, 5 Oct. 2024

Work is ongoing — a frenzy of hard hats, fluorescent-jacketed workmen and whirring machinery. —Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024

Noun

The faint whir of a vacuum comes from somewhere nearby. —Paul Yoon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024

In 2020 and 2021, millions around the world sought freedom and security from the constant whir of the central bank printing press by unbanking themselves. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English (Scots) quirren, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish hvirre to whirl, whir

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

whir

1 of 2 verb

variants also whirr

ˈhwər 

ˈwər

whirred; whirring

: to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a buzzing sound

ceiling fans whirred overhead

whir

2 of 2 noun

variants also whirr

: a fluttering or vibrating sound made by something in rapid motion

the whir of machinery