whirlwind

Pronunciation: /ˈ(h)wɝlwɪnd/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a more or less vertical column of air whirling around itself as it moves over the surface of the Earth

Etymology

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

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
windstorm
Narrower (hyponyms)
dust devil

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