whirlwind

Meanings

Noun

• A violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air. It usually has a rapid progressive motion.
• A person or body of objects or events sweeping violently onward.

Adjective

• Rapid and minimal: a whirlwind tour, a whirlwind romance.

Related

Narrower meaning words

• tornado
• waterspout
• landspout
• fire whirl
• dust devil

Origin

• From Middle English whirlewind, whirlewynde, equivalent to . Compare Middle Dutch wervelwint, Old Norse hvirfilvindr.