Whirr

Pronunciation

UK IPA: /wÉœË/ or IPA: /ÊÉœË/ (especially Scottish English)
US enPR: wÃ»r, IPA: /wÉ/ or enPR: hwÃ»r, IPA: /ÊÉ/
Rhymes: -ÉœË(r)
Homophones: were in accents with the wine-whine merger

Alternative forms

whir

Origin

Perhaps from Old Norse hvirfla ("to whirl, spread").

Full definition of whirr

Verb

To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound.
(intransitive) To make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound.
(transitive) To cause (something) to make such a sound.

Synonyms

(make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound): buzz, drone, hum, purr, whine, whistle, whizz
(cause (something) to make such a sound):

Noun

whirr

(plural whirrs)

A sibilant buzz or vibration; the sound of something in rapid motion.
A bustle of noise and excitement.

Synonyms

(sibilant buzz or vibration): buzz, drone, hum, purr, whine, whistle, whizz
(bustle of noise and excitement): bustle, hustle