whirr n. + Add to list UK //wˈɜː// whirr SynonymsEtymology Synonyms birrchurrpurrwhirwhirringwhizwhizzOriginNON-→MEwhirren→ENwhirr From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”).