"whirr" meaning in English

See whirr in All languages combined, or Wiktionary

Noun

IPA: /wɜː/ [Received-Pronunciation], /wɝ/, /ʍɝ/ Forms: whirrs [plural]
enPR: (h)wûr Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ) Etymology: From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”). Etymology templates: {{inh|en|enm|whirren}} Middle English whirren, {{der|en|non|-}} Old Norse, {{cog|da|hvirre}} Danish hvirre, {{cog|no|kvirre}} Norwegian kvirre, {{cog|non|hvirfla|t=to whirl, spread}} Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”) Head templates: {{en-noun}} whirr (plural whirrs)
  1. A sibilant buzz or vibration; the sound of something in rapid motion. Categories (topical): Sounds Synonyms (sibilant buzz or vibration): buzz, drone, hum, purr, whine, whistle, whizz Translations (A sibilant buzz or vibration): бръмчене (brǎmčene) [neuter] (Bulgarian), گِڤە (give) (Central Kurdish), bzučení [neuter] (Czech), vrčení [neuter] (Czech), bzukot [masculine] (Czech), hurina (Finnish), surina (Finnish), seordán [masculine] (Irish), frullio [masculine] (Italian), sibilo [masculine] (Italian), زر (zır) (Ottoman Turkish), طنطنه (tantana) (Ottoman Turkish)
    Sense id: en-whirr-en-noun-rUJKmAD3 Disambiguation of Sounds: 20 4 14 16 19 12 15 Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, Terms with Bulgarian translations, Terms with Central Kurdish translations, Terms with Czech translations, Terms with Dutch translations, Terms with Finnish translations, Terms with French translations, Terms with German translations, Terms with Ingrian translations, Terms with Irish translations, Terms with Italian translations, Terms with Maori translations, Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations, Terms with Romanian translations, Terms with Spanish translations Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 25 18 11 11 14 14 8 Disambiguation of Terms with Bulgarian translations: 28 12 12 8 12 13 14 Disambiguation of Terms with Central Kurdish translations: 53 6 8 6 9 10 8 Disambiguation of Terms with Czech translations: 27 14 10 6 14 18 11 Disambiguation of Terms with Dutch translations: 26 13 12 13 9 19 8 Disambiguation of Terms with Finnish translations: 28 12 12 8 12 13 14 Disambiguation of Terms with French translations: 28 12 12 14 9 18 7 Disambiguation of Terms with German translations: 30 10 12 10 10 17 10 Disambiguation of Terms with Ingrian translations: 31 11 11 11 9 18 9 Disambiguation of Terms with Irish translations: 28 12 12 8 12 13 14 Disambiguation of Terms with Italian translations: 32 11 11 11 8 18 8 Disambiguation of Terms with Maori translations: 28 12 12 8 12 13 14 Disambiguation of Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations: 23 20 10 8 13 15 12 Disambiguation of Terms with Romanian translations: 28 12 12 8 12 13 14 Disambiguation of Terms with Spanish translations: 31 12 12 12 8 18 7 Disambiguation of 'sibilant buzz or vibration': 95 2 3 Disambiguation of 'A sibilant buzz or vibration': 95 2 3
  2. A bustle of noise and excitement. Synonyms (bustle of noise and excitement): bustle, hustle Translations (A bustle of noise and excitement): bzukot [masculine] (Czech)
    Sense id: en-whirr-en-noun-a6wlmJgP Categories (other): Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations Disambiguation of Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations: 23 20 10 8 13 15 12 Disambiguation of 'bustle of noise and excitement': 5 94 1 Disambiguation of 'A bustle of noise and excitement': 1 98 1
  3. The vibrating sound made by a panther in its throat when contented. Categories (topical): Sounds
    Sense id: en-whirr-en-noun-WHODLZrY Disambiguation of Sounds: 20 4 14 16 19 12 15
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: whir

Verb

IPA: /wɜː/ [Received-Pronunciation], /wɝ/, /ʍɝ/ Forms: whirrs [present, singular, third-person], whirring [participle, present], whirred [participle, past], whirred [past]
enPR: (h)wûr Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ) Etymology: From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”). Etymology templates: {{inh|en|enm|whirren}} Middle English whirren, {{der|en|non|-}} Old Norse, {{cog|da|hvirre}} Danish hvirre, {{cog|no|kvirre}} Norwegian kvirre, {{cog|non|hvirfla|t=to whirl, spread}} Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”) Head templates: {{en-verb}} whirr (third-person singular simple present whirrs, present participle whirring, simple past and past participle whirred)
  1. To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound. Categories (topical): Sounds Translations (To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound): бръмча (brǎmča) (Bulgarian), bzučet [imperfective] (Czech), vrčet [imperfective] (Czech), hrčet [imperfective] (Czech), snorren (Dutch), gonzen (Dutch), zoemen (Dutch), brommen (Dutch), hurista (Finnish), surista (Finnish), vrombir (French), surren (German), pörissä (Ingrian), frullare (Italian), vorticare (Italian), turbinare (Italian), roteare (Italian), sbattere (Italian), tūpererū (Maori), pererū (Maori), rorowhio (Maori), șuiera (Romanian), zurriar (Spanish)
    Sense id: en-whirr-en-verb-Dq2zG2C~ Disambiguation of Sounds: 20 4 14 16 19 12 15 Disambiguation of 'To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound': 88 5 3 4
  2. (intransitive) To make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound. Tags: intransitive Categories (topical): Sounds Synonyms (make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound): buzz, drone, hum, purr, whine, whistle, whizz
    Sense id: en-whirr-en-verb-SJxGmtnW Disambiguation of Sounds: 20 4 14 16 19 12 15 Categories (other): Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations Disambiguation of Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations: 23 20 10 8 13 15 12 Disambiguation of 'make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound': 5 84 5 6
  3. (transitive) To cause (something) to make such a sound. Tags: transitive Categories (topical): Sounds
    Sense id: en-whirr-en-verb-GFPLZCwl Disambiguation of Sounds: 20 4 14 16 19 12 15 Categories (other): Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations Disambiguation of Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations: 23 20 10 8 13 15 12
  4. (intransitive) (of a panther) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented, much like the domestic cat’s purr. Tags: intransitive Categories (topical): Sounds
    Sense id: en-whirr-en-verb-ln-f-lvI Disambiguation of Sounds: 20 4 14 16 19 12 15 Categories (other): Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations Disambiguation of Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations: 23 20 10 8 13 15 12
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: whir

Inflected forms

Alternative forms

Download JSONL data for whirr meaning in English (15.4kB)

{
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "whirren"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English whirren",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "non",
        "3": "-"
      },
      "expansion": "Old Norse",
      "name": "der"
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      "args": {
        "1": "da",
        "2": "hvirre"
      },
      "expansion": "Danish hvirre",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "no",
        "2": "kvirre"
      },
      "expansion": "Norwegian kvirre",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "non",
        "2": "hvirfla",
        "t": "to whirl, spread"
      },
      "expansion": "Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”)",
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    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "whirrs",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
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    },
    {
      "form": "whirring",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
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    },
    {
      "form": "whirred",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
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    {
      "form": "whirred",
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        "past"
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  "head_templates": [
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      "args": {},
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  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "20 4 14 16 19 12 15",
          "kind": "topical",
          "langcode": "en",
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            "Energy",
            "Nature",
            "All topics",
            "Fundamental"
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        "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound."
      ],
      "id": "en-whirr-en-verb-Dq2zG2C~",
      "links": [
        [
          "move",
          "move"
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        [
          "vibrate",
          "vibrate"
        ],
        [
          "buzzing",
          "buzzing"
        ],
        [
          "sound",
          "sound"
        ]
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "bg",
          "lang": "Bulgarian",
          "roman": "brǎmča",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "бръмча"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "tags": [
            "imperfective"
          ],
          "word": "bzučet"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "tags": [
            "imperfective"
          ],
          "word": "vrčet"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "tags": [
            "imperfective"
          ],
          "word": "hrčet"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "snorren"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "gonzen"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "zoemen"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "brommen"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "hurista"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "surista"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "fr",
          "lang": "French",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "vrombir"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "surren"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "izh",
          "lang": "Ingrian",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "pörissä"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "frullare"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "vorticare"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "turbinare"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "roteare"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "sbattere"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "tūpererū"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "pererū"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "rorowhio"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "ro",
          "lang": "Romanian",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "șuiera"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "88 5 3 4",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
          "word": "zurriar"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "23 20 10 8 13 15 12",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "20 4 14 16 19 12 15",
          "kind": "topical",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Sounds",
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          "parents": [
            "Sound",
            "Energy",
            "Nature",
            "All topics",
            "Fundamental"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "2017 April 6, Samira Shackle, “On the frontline with Karachi’s ambulance drivers”, in the Guardian",
          "text": "In a city where media companies and hospitals have armed guards, this accessibility is unusual. Inside, drivers sit and chat in between shifts, the overhead fan whirring and causing the dim electric light to flicker over their faces.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound."
      ],
      "id": "en-whirr-en-verb-SJxGmtnW",
      "links": [
        [
          "sibilant",
          "sibilant"
        ],
        [
          "buzzing",
          "buzzing"
        ],
        [
          "droning",
          "droning"
        ],
        [
          "sound",
          "sound"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(intransitive) To make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound."
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "_dis1": "5 84 5 6",
          "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
          "word": "buzz"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "5 84 5 6",
          "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
          "word": "drone"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "5 84 5 6",
          "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
          "word": "hum"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "5 84 5 6",
          "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
          "word": "purr"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "5 84 5 6",
          "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
          "word": "whine"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "5 84 5 6",
          "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
          "word": "whistle"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "5 84 5 6",
          "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
          "word": "whizz"
        }
      ],
      "tags": [
        "intransitive"
      ]
    },
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          "_dis": "23 20 10 8 13 15 12",
          "kind": "other",
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          "kind": "topical",
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          "name": "Sounds",
          "orig": "en:Sounds",
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            "Sound",
            "Energy",
            "Nature",
            "All topics",
            "Fundamental"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To cause (something) to make such a sound."
      ],
      "id": "en-whirr-en-verb-GFPLZCwl",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive) To cause (something) to make such a sound."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "23 20 10 8 13 15 12",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations",
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          "_dis": "20 4 14 16 19 12 15",
          "kind": "topical",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Sounds",
          "orig": "en:Sounds",
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            "Sound",
            "Energy",
            "Nature",
            "All topics",
            "Fundamental"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "(of a panther) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented, much like the domestic cat’s purr."
      ],
      "id": "en-whirr-en-verb-ln-f-lvI",
      "links": [
        [
          "panther",
          "panther"
        ],
        [
          "purr",
          "purr"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(intransitive) (of a panther) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented, much like the domestic cat’s purr."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "intransitive"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/wɜː/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/wɝ/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ʍɝ/"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɜː(ɹ)"
    },
    {
      "homophone": "were (wine–whine merger)"
    },
    {
      "enpr": "(h)wûr"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "whir"
    }
  ],
  "word": "whirr"
}

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      "expansion": "Middle English whirren",
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      "expansion": "Old Norse",
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        "2": "kvirre"
      },
      "expansion": "Norwegian kvirre",
      "name": "cog"
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    {
      "args": {
        "1": "non",
        "2": "hvirfla",
        "t": "to whirl, spread"
      },
      "expansion": "Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”)",
      "name": "cog"
    }
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  "etymology_text": "From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”).",
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        },
        {
          "_dis": "20 4 14 16 19 12 15",
          "kind": "topical",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Sounds",
          "orig": "en:Sounds",
          "parents": [
            "Sound",
            "Energy",
            "Nature",
            "All topics",
            "Fundamental"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1978, Lawrence Durrell, “Lord Galen’s Farewell”, in Livia: Or Buried Alive […] (The Avignon Quintet; 2), London, Boston, Mass.: Faber and Faber, page 239",
          "text": "At that moment a flight of birds passed close overhead, and at the whirr of their wings a panic fear seized her.",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2007, Jeffrey Engel, Sherol Engel, & James A. Swan, Chasing The Hunter's Dream: 1,001 of the World's Best Duck Marshes, Deer Runs, Elk Meadows, Pheasant Fields, Bear Woods, Safaris, and Extraordinary Hunts, HarperCollins, published 2007, page 212",
          "text": "Then the exploding whirr of wings in the wind — a mixed covey of bobwhites and scalies.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "A sibilant buzz or vibration; the sound of something in rapid motion."
      ],
      "id": "en-whirr-en-noun-rUJKmAD3",
      "links": [
        [
          "buzz",
          "buzz"
        ],
        [
          "vibration",
          "vibration"
        ],
        [
          "rapid",
          "rapid"
        ],
        [
          "motion",
          "motion"
        ]
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "buzz"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "drone"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "hum"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "purr"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "whine"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "whistle"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "whizz"
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "bg",
          "lang": "Bulgarian",
          "roman": "brǎmčene",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "tags": [
            "neuter"
          ],
          "word": "бръмчене"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "tags": [
            "neuter"
          ],
          "word": "bzučení"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "tags": [
            "neuter"
          ],
          "word": "vrčení"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "tags": [
            "masculine"
          ],
          "word": "bzukot"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "hurina"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "surina"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "ga",
          "lang": "Irish",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "tags": [
            "masculine"
          ],
          "word": "seordán"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "tags": [
            "masculine"
          ],
          "word": "frullio"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "tags": [
            "masculine"
          ],
          "word": "sibilo"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "ckb",
          "lang": "Central Kurdish",
          "roman": "give",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "گِڤە"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "ota",
          "lang": "Ottoman Turkish",
          "roman": "zır",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "زر"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 2 3",
          "code": "ota",
          "lang": "Ottoman Turkish",
          "roman": "tantana",
          "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
          "word": "طنطنه"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "23 20 10 8 13 15 12",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "A bustle of noise and excitement."
      ],
      "id": "en-whirr-en-noun-a6wlmJgP",
      "links": [
        [
          "bustle",
          "bustle"
        ],
        [
          "noise",
          "noise"
        ],
        [
          "excitement",
          "excitement"
        ]
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "_dis1": "5 94 1",
          "sense": "bustle of noise and excitement",
          "word": "bustle"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "5 94 1",
          "sense": "bustle of noise and excitement",
          "word": "hustle"
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "1 98 1",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "A bustle of noise and excitement",
          "tags": [
            "masculine"
          ],
          "word": "bzukot"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "20 4 14 16 19 12 15",
          "kind": "topical",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Sounds",
          "orig": "en:Sounds",
          "parents": [
            "Sound",
            "Energy",
            "Nature",
            "All topics",
            "Fundamental"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "The vibrating sound made by a panther in its throat when contented."
      ],
      "id": "en-whirr-en-noun-WHODLZrY",
      "links": [
        [
          "panther",
          "panther"
        ]
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/wɜː/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/wɝ/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ʍɝ/"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɜː(ɹ)"
    },
    {
      "homophone": "were (wine–whine merger)"
    },
    {
      "enpr": "(h)wûr"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "whir"
    }
  ],
  "word": "whirr"
}
{
  "categories": [
    "English 1-syllable words",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old Norse",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with homophones",
    "English verbs",
    "Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)",
    "Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)/1 syllable",
    "Terms with Bulgarian translations",
    "Terms with Central Kurdish translations",
    "Terms with Czech translations",
    "Terms with Dutch translations",
    "Terms with Finnish translations",
    "Terms with French translations",
    "Terms with German translations",
    "Terms with Ingrian translations",
    "Terms with Irish translations",
    "Terms with Italian translations",
    "Terms with Maori translations",
    "Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations",
    "Terms with Romanian translations",
    "Terms with Spanish translations",
    "en:Sounds"
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "whirren"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English whirren",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "non",
        "3": "-"
      },
      "expansion": "Old Norse",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "da",
        "2": "hvirre"
      },
      "expansion": "Danish hvirre",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "no",
        "2": "kvirre"
      },
      "expansion": "Norwegian kvirre",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "non",
        "2": "hvirfla",
        "t": "to whirl, spread"
      },
      "expansion": "Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”)",
      "name": "cog"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "whirrs",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "whirring",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "whirred",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "whirred",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "whirr (third-person singular simple present whirrs, present participle whirring, simple past and past participle whirred)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "senses": [
    {
      "glosses": [
        "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "move",
          "move"
        ],
        [
          "vibrate",
          "vibrate"
        ],
        [
          "buzzing",
          "buzzing"
        ],
        [
          "sound",
          "sound"
        ]
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English intransitive verbs",
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "2017 April 6, Samira Shackle, “On the frontline with Karachi’s ambulance drivers”, in the Guardian",
          "text": "In a city where media companies and hospitals have armed guards, this accessibility is unusual. Inside, drivers sit and chat in between shifts, the overhead fan whirring and causing the dim electric light to flicker over their faces.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "sibilant",
          "sibilant"
        ],
        [
          "buzzing",
          "buzzing"
        ],
        [
          "droning",
          "droning"
        ],
        [
          "sound",
          "sound"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(intransitive) To make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "intransitive"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English transitive verbs"
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To cause (something) to make such a sound."
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive) To cause (something) to make such a sound."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English intransitive verbs"
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "(of a panther) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented, much like the domestic cat’s purr."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "panther",
          "panther"
        ],
        [
          "purr",
          "purr"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(intransitive) (of a panther) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented, much like the domestic cat’s purr."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "intransitive"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/wɜː/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/wɝ/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ʍɝ/"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɜː(ɹ)"
    },
    {
      "homophone": "were (wine–whine merger)"
    },
    {
      "enpr": "(h)wûr"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
      "word": "buzz"
    },
    {
      "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
      "word": "drone"
    },
    {
      "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
      "word": "hum"
    },
    {
      "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
      "word": "purr"
    },
    {
      "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
      "word": "whine"
    },
    {
      "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
      "word": "whistle"
    },
    {
      "sense": "make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound",
      "word": "whizz"
    },
    {
      "word": "whir"
    }
  ],
  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "bg",
      "lang": "Bulgarian",
      "roman": "brǎmča",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "бръмча"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "tags": [
        "imperfective"
      ],
      "word": "bzučet"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "tags": [
        "imperfective"
      ],
      "word": "vrčet"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "tags": [
        "imperfective"
      ],
      "word": "hrčet"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "snorren"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "gonzen"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "zoemen"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "brommen"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "hurista"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "surista"
    },
    {
      "code": "fr",
      "lang": "French",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "vrombir"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "surren"
    },
    {
      "code": "izh",
      "lang": "Ingrian",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "pörissä"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "frullare"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "vorticare"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "turbinare"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "roteare"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "sbattere"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "tūpererū"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "pererū"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "rorowhio"
    },
    {
      "code": "ro",
      "lang": "Romanian",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "șuiera"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound",
      "word": "zurriar"
    }
  ],
  "word": "whirr"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "English 1-syllable words",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old Norse",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with homophones",
    "English verbs",
    "Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)",
    "Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)/1 syllable",
    "Terms with Bulgarian translations",
    "Terms with Central Kurdish translations",
    "Terms with Czech translations",
    "Terms with Dutch translations",
    "Terms with Finnish translations",
    "Terms with French translations",
    "Terms with German translations",
    "Terms with Ingrian translations",
    "Terms with Irish translations",
    "Terms with Italian translations",
    "Terms with Maori translations",
    "Terms with Ottoman Turkish translations",
    "Terms with Romanian translations",
    "Terms with Spanish translations",
    "en:Sounds"
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "whirren"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English whirren",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "non",
        "3": "-"
      },
      "expansion": "Old Norse",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "da",
        "2": "hvirre"
      },
      "expansion": "Danish hvirre",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "no",
        "2": "kvirre"
      },
      "expansion": "Norwegian kvirre",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "non",
        "2": "hvirfla",
        "t": "to whirl, spread"
      },
      "expansion": "Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”)",
      "name": "cog"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "whirrs",
      "tags": [
        "plural"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "whirr (plural whirrs)",
      "name": "en-noun"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "noun",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1978, Lawrence Durrell, “Lord Galen’s Farewell”, in Livia: Or Buried Alive […] (The Avignon Quintet; 2), London, Boston, Mass.: Faber and Faber, page 239",
          "text": "At that moment a flight of birds passed close overhead, and at the whirr of their wings a panic fear seized her.",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "2007, Jeffrey Engel, Sherol Engel, & James A. Swan, Chasing The Hunter's Dream: 1,001 of the World's Best Duck Marshes, Deer Runs, Elk Meadows, Pheasant Fields, Bear Woods, Safaris, and Extraordinary Hunts, HarperCollins, published 2007, page 212",
          "text": "Then the exploding whirr of wings in the wind — a mixed covey of bobwhites and scalies.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "A sibilant buzz or vibration; the sound of something in rapid motion."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "buzz",
          "buzz"
        ],
        [
          "vibration",
          "vibration"
        ],
        [
          "rapid",
          "rapid"
        ],
        [
          "motion",
          "motion"
        ]
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "A bustle of noise and excitement."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "bustle",
          "bustle"
        ],
        [
          "noise",
          "noise"
        ],
        [
          "excitement",
          "excitement"
        ]
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "The vibrating sound made by a panther in its throat when contented."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "panther",
          "panther"
        ]
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/wɜː/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/wɝ/"
    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ʍɝ/"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɜː(ɹ)"
    },
    {
      "homophone": "were (wine–whine merger)"
    },
    {
      "enpr": "(h)wûr"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "buzz"
    },
    {
      "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "drone"
    },
    {
      "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "hum"
    },
    {
      "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "purr"
    },
    {
      "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "whine"
    },
    {
      "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "whistle"
    },
    {
      "sense": "sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "whizz"
    },
    {
      "sense": "bustle of noise and excitement",
      "word": "bustle"
    },
    {
      "sense": "bustle of noise and excitement",
      "word": "hustle"
    },
    {
      "word": "whir"
    }
  ],
  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "bg",
      "lang": "Bulgarian",
      "roman": "brǎmčene",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "tags": [
        "neuter"
      ],
      "word": "бръмчене"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "tags": [
        "neuter"
      ],
      "word": "bzučení"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "tags": [
        "neuter"
      ],
      "word": "vrčení"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "tags": [
        "masculine"
      ],
      "word": "bzukot"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "hurina"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "surina"
    },
    {
      "code": "ga",
      "lang": "Irish",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "tags": [
        "masculine"
      ],
      "word": "seordán"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "tags": [
        "masculine"
      ],
      "word": "frullio"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "tags": [
        "masculine"
      ],
      "word": "sibilo"
    },
    {
      "code": "ckb",
      "lang": "Central Kurdish",
      "roman": "give",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "گِڤە"
    },
    {
      "code": "ota",
      "lang": "Ottoman Turkish",
      "roman": "zır",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "زر"
    },
    {
      "code": "ota",
      "lang": "Ottoman Turkish",
      "roman": "tantana",
      "sense": "A sibilant buzz or vibration",
      "word": "طنطنه"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "A bustle of noise and excitement",
      "tags": [
        "masculine"
      ],
      "word": "bzukot"
    }
  ],
  "word": "whirr"
}

This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable English dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-06-27 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-06-20 using wiktextract (0f7b3ac and b863ecc). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.

If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.