Word
twirl
US/ˈtwɝɫ/
UK/twˈɜːl/
Definition
v. to spin around quickly or to turn something around in circles. You might do this with your body while dancing or with a pen in your hand.
v. to rotate or cause to rotate rapidly and repeatedly around an axis. Often describes graceful or playful movement, such as in dance or when manipulating a small object with the fingers.
Examples
“She likes to twirl around in her new dress.”
“The dancer began to twirl across the stage as the music reached its fastest point.”
“He sat at his desk and continued to twirl his pen between his fingers while he contemplated the difficult problem before him.”
Examples
simple
“She likes to twirl around in her new dress.”
contextual
“The dancer began to twirl across the stage as the music reached its fastest point.”
complex
“He sat at his desk and continued to twirl his pen between his fingers while he contemplated the difficult problem before him.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “twirl” in context.
Verb
01. complete twirl
“He managed to complete a full twirl without losing his balance.”
verb + noun
02. execute twirl
“The skater executed a perfect twirl on the ice.”
verb + noun
03. perform twirl
“The dancers performed a synchronized twirl during the chorus.”
verb + noun
04. twirl ends
“The audience cheered as the final twirl ended.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. graceful twirl
“The ballerina ended her routine with a graceful twirl.”
adj + noun
06. playful twirl
“The child did a playful twirl in the middle of the garden.”
adj + noun
07. quick twirl
“She gave a quick twirl to show off her new dress.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. series of twirls
“The routine consisted of a series of twirls and jumps.”
noun + prep + noun
09. give it a twirl
“She stood in front of the mirror and gave the skirt a twirl.”
10. spin in a twirl
“The leaves were caught by the wind and began to spin in a twirl.”
Usage
The verb can be used both transitively (twirl something) and intransitively (the dancer twirls).
Real-World Examples
“The Cardinals triumphed with a thrilling 5-4 walk-off victory in the 11th inning, as fans enthusiastically twirled their shirts above their heads like helicopters when Nathan Church crossed home plate on a Yohel Pozo single.” “On Thursday, the hole measured 528 yards, and Mickelson looked fidgety, twirling his driver in anticipation of his shot.” “Girls can put on a dress and twirl in a circle and others will clap and say, “How pretty!” “She was perpetually in motion, sometimes facing the audience with subtle, repetitive hand movements, but more frequently, she roamed the stage, twirling, skipping, crouching, or swaying like an enthralled child.” Etymology
Of Scandinavian origin, the term is akin to the Norwegian Nynorsk tvirla, the Old High German dweran, and the Icelandic þyrill. These forms descend from the Proto-Germanic þwirilaz, denoting a stirring-stick or whisk, and the verb þweraną, meaning to stir. The word shares this lineage with the Dutch dwarrelen and the German zwirlen and quirlen, suggesting a long-standing European preoccupation with the agitation of liquids.
An alternative derivation suggests the word is an alteration of tirl, meaning to twist, which underwent phonetic influence from whirl. Whether the term arrived by way of the Norse whisk or the English twist, the mechanics of the motion remained constant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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