whirlpool

/ˈwɝlpul/

//ˈwɝlpul// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"whirlpool" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“whirlpool” has 14 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #29,519. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#29,519
frequency rank, English
12,113
“W” headwords
14
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A swirling body of water.

Key facts for whirlpool
PropertyValue
Headwordwhirlpool
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈwɝlpul/
Letters9
Frequency rank#29,519
Misspellings tracked14
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “whirlpool” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). whirlpool lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 14 spelling variants around whirlpool (IPA /ˈwɝlpul/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #29,519 among 12,113 “W” headwords. Wiktionary lists 3 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 14 likely wrong-spelling variants for whirlpool, with forms such as "hwirlpool", "whhirlpool", and "whilrpool". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. Our dataset records no confusable match here, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.

Etymologically, the entry records: From earlier whirlpoole, whirlpole, apparently from Middle English *whirlpole, potentially coalescing Old English hwierfel (“whirlpool”) and Old English hwierfepōl (“whirlpool”). Equivalent to whirl + pool. Cognate with Scots quhirlepole, whirle-pule (“whir… The correct English form is whirlpool, spelled W-H-I-R-L-P-O-O-L.

Definition

  1. 1
    A swirling body of water.
  2. 2
    A hot tub, jacuzzi.
  3. 3
    A state of turmoil, or agitated excitement.

Etymology

From earlier whirlpoole, whirlpole, apparently from Middle English *whirlpole, potentially coalescing Old English hwierfel (“whirlpool”) and Old English hwierfepōl (“whirlpool”). Equivalent to whirl + pool. Cognate with Scots quhirlepole, whirle-pule (“whirlpool”). Compare also English whirlpit. Eclipsed non-native Middle English gurges (“whirlpool”), borrowed from Latin gurges (“whirlpool”).

This word in other languages

remolino(Español)tourbillon(Français)Wirbel(Deutsch)redemoinho(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • hwirlpool
  • whhirlpool
  • whilrpool
  • whirllpool
  • whirlopol
  • whirlpol
  • whirlpolo
  • whirlpooll
  • whirlppool
  • whirplool
  • whirrlpool
  • whrilpool
  • wihrlpool
  • wwhirlpool

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of whirlpool - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

hwirlpool2whhirlpool1whilrpool2whirllpool1whirlopol2whirlpol1whirlpolo2whirlpooll1
Edit distance from "whirlpool"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "whirlpool"?
"whirlpool" is spelled W-H-I-R-L-P-O-O-L. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈwɝlpul/.
What does "whirlpool" mean?
As a noun, "whirlpool" means: A swirling body of water.
What are common misspellings of "whirlpool"?
Common misspellings include "hwirlpool", "whhirlpool", "whilrpool", "whirllpool", "whirlopol". The correct spelling is "whirlpool".
How do you pronounce "whirlpool"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "whirlpool" is /ˈwɝlpul/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "whirlpool"?
From earlier whirlpoole, whirlpole, apparently from Middle English *whirlpole, potentially coalescing Old English hwierfel (“whirlpool”) and Old English hwierfepōl (“whirlpool”). Equivalent to whirl + pool. Cognate with Scots quhirlepole, whirle-p... See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “whirlpool”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is W-H-I-R-L-P-O-O-L - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈwɝlpul/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list