twirl
Americanverb (used with object)
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to cause to rotate rapidly; spin; revolve; whirl.
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to twiddle.
to twirl my thumbs.
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to wind idly, as about something.
verb (used without object)
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to rotate rapidly; whirl.
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to turn quickly so as to face or point in another direction.
noun
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an act or instance of twirling; spin; whirl.
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something convoluted or having a spiral shape; coil; curl; convolution.
verb
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to move or cause to move around rapidly and repeatedly in a circle
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(tr) to twist, wind, or twiddle, often idly
she twirled her hair around her finger
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(intr; often foll by around or about) to turn suddenly to face another way
she twirled around angrily to face him
noun
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an act of rotating or being rotated; whirl or twist
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something wound around or twirled; coil
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a written flourish or squiggle
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has twirledperfect 3rd person singular
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have twirledperfect
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have been twirlingperfect progressive
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is twirlingprogressive 3rd person singular
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twirlssingular 3rd person
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has been twirlingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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twirlingparticiple
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are twirlingprogressive
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am twirlingprogressive 1st person singular
Past
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had twirledperfect
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were twirlingprogressive plural
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had been twirlingperfect progressive
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twirledsimple
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twirledparticiple
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was twirlingprogressive singular
Future
Etymology
Origin of twirl
Vocabulary lists containing twirl
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dressed in sky blue kimonos emblazoned with flowers, the dancers twist and twirl in unison in front of hundreds of spectators eager to see the annual "Miyako Odori" in the nation's spectacular ancient capital.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
He has requested a sold-out crowd to be in their seats ahead of kick-off to twirl the complimentary towels – a staple action for supporters in American sport.
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026
I half expected a Snidely Whiplash twirl of the mustache or a Bertram Oleander sidewise glance and sneer.
From Salon • Jan. 16, 2026
As she watched the dancers march, twirl and kick, she was struck by all the hard work that went into the production.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025
I twirl around the empty dining room and think about flying again.
From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
