# whirr

> English word · Verb · IPA /wɜː/ · frequency rank #94,434

## Definitions
1. To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound.
2. To make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound.
3. To cause (something) to make such a sound.
4. (of a panther) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented, much like the domestic cat’s purr.

## Etymology
From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”).

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