# whirling

/ˈhwɝɫɪŋ/ (US) · /wˈɜːlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/whirling
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a group of people who spin around in circles as part of a religious or spiritual ceremony. This is most common in the Sufi tradition of Islam.

For teachers: a group of Sufi practitioners who perform a ritual of spinning in circles as a form of meditation and spiritual devotion. Often associated with the Mevlevi order.

## Examples

- The whirling dervishes performed their dance at the ceremony.
- Visitors to the local museum can watch a video of the whirling dervishes performing their traditional spinning ritual.
- The rhythmic spinning of the whirling dervishes is intended to induce a trance-like state, allowing the participants to transcend their physical bodies and achieve a closer connection with the divine.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.