swirl

Everyday

1. To swirl is to move round and round quickly in circles, like water going down a plughole. tree →
2. To swirl something is to make it turn round, like swirling paint in water. tree →
3. A swirl is a twisting, circling shape or movement, like a swirl of cream. tree →

In the lessons

In science, wind, water and smoke swirl, and storms like tornadoes and hurricanes are huge swirls of air. In art, children paint swirls and swirly patterns. In stories, snow or leaves swirl in the wind and mist swirls around a castle. Phrases: «swirl around», «a swirl of».

Examples

• Autumn leaves swirled in the wind. tree →
• The water swirled down the plughole. tree →
• She swirled the paint in the water. tree →
• A swirl of whipped cream sat on top. tree →
• Mist swirled around the old castle. tree →
• Snowflakes swirled outside the window. tree →
• Draw a swirl that spirals into the middle. tree →
• And now the water in the room stood up to the window and washed against the glass, and swirled around his feet on the table. tree →

Note

Regular verb: «swirled». Adjective: «swirly». A swirl is curved and turning; a «spiral» is a line that winds round a centre getting bigger or smaller. Do not confuse with «swill» or «squirrel».