whirr

Everyday

1. To make a soft, steady buzzing sound like something spinning fast, such as a fan, a camera or wings. tree →
2. (noun) That sound. tree →
3. To move fast with such a sound. tree →

In the lessons

It is a sound word (it sounds like the noise it names). In stories, machines, fans, wheels and hummingbird wings whirr. "My mind was whirring" means thoughts were spinning fast. Phrases: "whirr into life", "the whirr of the fan".

Examples

• The fan whirred softly in the hot classroom. tree →
• We heard the whirr of the hummingbird's wings. tree →
• The old computer whirred into life. tree →
• The sewing machine whirred as Nan sewed. tree →
• My mind was whirring with ideas for the story. tree →
• The drone whirred over the playing field. tree →
• "Whirr, whirr," went the wheel so quickly that the flax could not collect its thoughts. tree →

Note

UK spelling: whirr (double r); US spelling: whir. Past: whirred; -ing form: whirring (double r in both spellings). Do not confuse with "whirl" (to spin round fast) or "were".