# whorl

> English word · Noun · IPA /(h)wɔː(ɹ)l/ · frequency rank #49,722

## Definitions
1. Each circle, volution or equivalent in a pattern of concentric circles, ovals, arcs, or a spiral.
2. A circle of three or more leaves, flowers, or other organs, about the same part or joint of a stem.
3. A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell.
4. Any volution, as for example in the human ear or fingerprint.
5. A flywheel, a weight attached to a spindle.

## Etymology
From alteration of whirl (verb).

## Easily confused with
- **wor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-wor)
- **work** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-work)
- **word** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-word)
- **wore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-wore)
- **worn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-worn)
- **wool** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-wool)
- **worm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-worm)
- **whos** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-whos)
- **wort** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-wort)
- **world** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-world)
- **whose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whorl-vs-whose)
- **who** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/who-vs-whorl)
- **whom** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whom-vs-whorl)
- **whoa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whoa-vs-whorl)
- **whoo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whoo-vs-whorl)
- **where** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/where-vs-whorl)
- **whole** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whole-vs-whorl)
- **who's** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/who-s-vs-whorl)
- **wheel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wheel-vs-whorl)
- **whore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/whore-vs-whorl)

## Common misspellings (8)
`hworl`, `whhorl`, `wholr`, `whorll`, `whorrl`, `whrol`, `wohrl`, `wwhorl`

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