# whirlwind

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈwɜːlwɪnd/ · frequency rank #21,421

## Definitions
1. A windstorm of limited extent, such as a tornado, dust devil, or waterspout, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air.
2. A person or body of objects or events sweeping violently onward.

## Etymology
From Middle English whirlewind, whirlewynde, equivalent to whirl + wind. Compare Middle Dutch wervelwint, Old Norse hvirfilvindr.

## Easily confused with
- **whirling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whirling-vs-whirlwind)

## Common misspellings (15)
`hwirlwind`, `whhirlwind`, `whilrwind`, `whirliwnd`, `whirllwind`, `whirlwidn`, `whirlwindd`, `whirlwinnd`, `whirlwnid`, `whirlwwind`, `whirrlwind`, `whirwlind`, `whrilwind`, `wihrlwind`, `wwhirlwind`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/whirlwind