whir

UK: wɜː(r) | US: wɜːr

Definition

  1. n. a continuous buzzing or vibrating sound

  2. vi. to make a continuous buzzing or vibrating sound

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

The word whir is an onomatopoeic term, directly mimicking the sound of rapid motion or vibration, such as that produced by a spinning object or machinery. It emerged in Middle English (as whirren) and is related to similar imitative words in Scandinavian languages (e.g., Old Norse hvīra). Due to its onomatopoeic nature, it is not further divisible into morphemes.

Examples

  1. The fan began to whir softly as it started spinning.

  2. I could hear the whir of the helicopter blades overhead.

  3. The old refrigerator whirs loudly at night.

  4. The whir of the sewing machine filled the room.

  5. A faint whir came from the computer as it processed the data.