whirlwind
Translation
whirlwind, tornado, flurry
Examples
A whirlwind swept across the desert.
A whirlwind swept across the desert.
It was a whirlwind tour of the city.
It was a whirlwind tour of the city.
Grammar Patterns
a whirlwind (a column of rotating air) A whirlwind swept across the desert.
a whirlwind ((of sth.)) (something happening very fast) It was a whirlwind tour of the city.
Similar Words
Synonyms: tornado, cyclone (literal); flurry, rush (figurative)
Etymology
A compound of 'whirl' (to spin) and 'wind'. Literally a 'spinning wind'.
Memory Tips
Picture the 'wind' 'whirling' around. It's often used figuratively for something fast and chaotic, like a 'whirlwind romance'.