What does swirl mean?
Word: Swirl
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Swirl means to move round and round quickly in circles. As a noun, a swirl is a curling, twisting shape or movement.
Synonyms: spin, twirl, whirl
How do you spell swirl?
Syllables: swirl
Tricky part: The sound in the middle is spelt ir, as in bird. Swurl and swerl are the usual mistakes.
Watch out for: swurl, swerl
Memory tip: Girl, skirt and bird all use ir, and so does swirl: picture a girl's skirt swirling as she spins.
Swirl in a sentence
Example 1: Dry leaves swirled around our feet in the wind.
Example 2: The ice cream had a swirl of chocolate in the middle.
Example 3: Watch the water swirl down the drain.
Fun Fact
One common fingerprint pattern is called a whorl, because its tiny lines swirl round and round in circles.
Practise the CREST Way
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
ilsrw 12345
a) 15342
b) 35241
c) 35142
d) 45132
Show answer
c) 35142. The first two letters of swirl are at places 3 and 5, and the l at place 2 is last.
Sound Check
Which of the following words rhymes with the given word?
swirl
a) swell
b) snarl
c) sail
d) curl
Show answer
d) curl. Swirl and curl sound alike from the vowel to the end, though one is spelt ir and the other ur.
Word Champ
Choose the correct word for the blank:
Stir the pot slowly and watch the blue and yellow paint ________ together.
a) swoop
b) swirl
c) sweep
d) swat
Show answer
b) swirl. Paints that turn round and round together swirl.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) twist
b) spiral
c) cirkle
d) swirl
Show answer
c) cirkle. Circle uses c twice, with no k.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Something in this list would never swirl. Which is it?
a) a stone lying on a path
b) smoke from a candle
c) leaves in a strong wind
d) milk stirred into tea
Show answer
a) a stone lying on a path
2. Where is water most likely to swirl?
a) in a closed bottle
b) near rocks in a fast river
c) in a frozen pond
d) in a glass left on a table
Show answer
b) near rocks in a fast river
