whirlwind
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a tall column of air that spins around very fast in a circle.
n.a localized windstorm characterized by a rapid inward and upward spiral motion of air.
Simple“The dry summer heat created a small whirlwind of dust in the middle of the field.”
In context“The desert floor was prone to sudden whirlwinds that would whip up sand and obscure visibility for several minutes at a time.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a situation where many things happen so fast that you feel confused or excited.
n.a figurative representation of a person or series of events moving with great speed, force, or confusion.
Simple“Her first week at the new job was a whirlwind of meetings and training sessions.”
In context“The merger was a whirlwind of legal negotiations and late-night strategy sessions that left the executive team exhausted but triumphant.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.happening very quickly and often unexpectedly.
adj.characterized by extreme speed and a lack of duration; often used to describe social or romantic developments.
Simple“They got married after a whirlwind romance that lasted only three months.”
In context“The prime minister embarked on a whirlwind tour of the affected provinces to assess the damage before the international summit.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun it describes.
“Take the case of Van Hecke, for whom the summer months have been a whirlwind.”
From Middle English whirlewind, whirlewynde, equivalent to whirl + wind. Compare Middle Dutch wervelwint, Old Norse hvirfilvindr.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.