Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

whirr

/wɝ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.01 in modern English

Syllables: whirr
IPA: /wɝ/

11

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

1

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound.

verb

To make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound.

Intransitive verb

verb

To cause (something) to make such a sound.

Transitive verb

verb

(of a panther) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented, much like the domestic cat’s purr.

Intransitive verb

noun

A sibilant buzz or vibration; the sound of something in rapid motion.

noun

A bustle of noise and excitement.

noun

The vibrating sound made by a panther in its throat when contented.

Example Sentences

"In a city where media companies and hospitals have armed guards, this accessibility is unusual. Inside, drivers sit and chat in between shifts, the overhead fan whirring and causing the dim electric light to flicker over their faces."
"As Jane turned from the telephone she heard the whirr of a motor. That would be the children coming home from school. The car called for them at the playground every afternoon at five."
"At that moment a flight of birds passed close overhead, and at the whirr of their wings a panic fear seized her."
"Then the exploding whirr of wings in the wind — a mixed covey of bobwhites and scalies."

Etymology

From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: whirren, -

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /wɝ/
British English: /wɜː/

Usage

Inflected Forms

whirrs (present, singular) whirring (participle, present) whirred (participle, past) whirred (past) whir (alternative) whirrs (plural)

Synonyms

buzz drone hum purr whine whistle whizz bustle hustle

Homonyms

were (fern–fir–fur merger) where (fair–fur merger) ware (fair–fur merger, wine–whine merger) whir

Rhymes With

your were her per sir ensure prefer mirror occur refer cure mature

Questions

How do you pronounce whirr?: The recorded pronunciation is /wɝ/.
What does whirr mean?: To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound.
Where does whirr come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce whirr

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