Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

whirlpool

/ˈwɝlpul/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.99 in modern English

Syllables: whirl-pool
IPA: /ˈwɝlpul/

17

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A swirling body of water.

noun

A hot tub, a jacuzzi.

noun

A state of turmoil or agitated excitement.

verb

To spin or swirl like the water in a whirlpool.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"A whirlpool is an instance of a vortex produced by ocean tides, or by a hole underneath where the water would drain out, such as in a bathtub."
"The meatloaf has been cooking in the oven for the last hour and should be ready just about the time George climbs out of the whirlpool."

Etymology

From earlier whirlpoole, whirlpole, apparently from Middle English *whirlpole, potentially coalescing Old English hwierfel (“whirlpool”) and Old English hwierfepōl (“whirlpool”). Equivalent to whirl + pool. Cognate with Scots quhirlepole, whirle-pule (“whirlpool”). Compare also English whirlpit. Eclipsed non-native Middle English gurges (“whirlpool”), borrowed from Latin gurges (“whirlpool”).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: *whirlpole, hwierfel, hwierfepōl

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈwɝlpul/
British English: /ˈwɜːlpuːl/

Usage

Intransitive verb

Inflected Forms

whirlpools (plural) whirlpools (present, singular) whirlpooling (participle, present) whirlpooled (participle, past) whirlpooled (past)

Derived Forms

whirlpooling

Phrases

whirlpool bath whirlpool galaxy

Synonyms

vortex maelstrom eddy purl swirl whirl

Questions

How do you pronounce whirlpool?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈwɝlpul/.
What does whirlpool mean?: A swirling body of water.
Where does whirlpool come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce whirlpool

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “whirlpool”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈwɝlpul/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “whirlpool”.
Repeat and practice — Say “whirlpool” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.