Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

whorl

/(h)wɔː(ɹ)l/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.56 in modern English

Syllables: whorl
IPA: /(h)wɔː(ɹ)l/

11

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Each circle, volution or equivalent in a pattern of concentric circles, ovals, arcs, or a spiral.

noun

A circle of three or more leaves, flowers, or other organs, about the same part or joint of a stem.

noun

A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell.

noun

Any volution, as for example in the human ear or fingerprint.

noun

A flywheel, a weight attached to a spindle.

verb

To form a pattern of concentric circles.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"“Waves Against the Sand,” to music by Martinu, which opened the program, filled the stage space with whorling patterns of dancers surging with the gentle but ceaseless momentum of the sea."

Etymology

From alteration of whirl (verb).

Usage

Intransitive verb

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in Medicine.

Inflected Forms

whorls (plural) whorls (present, singular) whorling (participle, present) whorled (participle, past) whorled (past)

Phrases

whorl foot whorl snail

Synonyms

coil spiral volute helix ringlet curl roll curlicue gyre scroll

Homonyms

whirl

Rhymes With

girl earl pearl curl swirl earle merle perl whirl hurl searle twirl

Questions

How do you pronounce whorl?: The recorded pronunciation is /(h)wɔː(ɹ)l/.
What does whorl mean?: Each circle, volution or equivalent in a pattern of concentric circles, ovals, arcs, or a spiral.
Where does whorl come from?: From alteration of whirl (verb).

How to pronounce whorl

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