noun · verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/wɜː/
London:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/wɝ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Scotland:/ʍɪɾ/
New-Zealand:/wøː/
/weː/Liverpool, fair–fur merger
/wɛː/Humberside, Teesside, fair–fur merger
/wɜː(ɹ)/Lancashire, fair–fur merger
rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)
homophone: were (fern–fir–fur merger)
homophone: where (fair–fur merger)
homophone: ware (fair–fur merger, wine–whine merger)
1
noun
Meaning 1
A sibilant buzz or vibration; the sound of something in rapid motion.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A bustle of noise and excitement.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The vibrating sound made by a panther in its throat when contented.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To make a sibilant buzzing or droning sound.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
To cause (something) to make such a sound.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
(of a panther) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented, much like the domestic cat’s purr.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
sound of something in rapid motion
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
whir of a bird's wings
the whir of the propellers
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: whir, whirring, birr
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sound
9
verb
Meaning 9
make a vibrant sound, as of some birds
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: churr
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: utter, emit, let out, let loose
10
verb
Meaning 10
make a soft swishing sound
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the motor whirred
the car engine purred
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: whizz, whiz, whir, birr, purr
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sound, go
History
Etymology
From Middle English whirren, probably from Old Norse: compare Danish hvirre, virre, Norwegian kvirre, Old Norse hvirfla (“to whirl, spread”).
Across languages
Translations
37 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
бръмчене
(brǎmčene)
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Czech:
bzučení
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Czech:
vrčení
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Czech:
bzukot
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Finnish:
hurina
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Finnish:
surina
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Irish:
seordán
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Italian:
frullio
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Italian:
sibilo
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Central Kurdish:
گِڤە
(give)
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Ottoman Turkish:
زر
(zır)
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Ottoman Turkish:
طنطنه
(tantana)
— A sibilant buzz or vibration
Czech:
bzukot
— A bustle of noise and excitement
Bulgarian:
бръмча
(brǎmča)
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Czech:
bzučet
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Czech:
vrčet
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Czech:
hrčet
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Dutch:
snorren
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Dutch:
gonzen
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Dutch:
zoemen
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Dutch:
brommen
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Finnish:
hurista
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Finnish:
surista
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
French:
vrombir
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
German:
surren
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Ingrian:
pörissä
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Italian:
frullare
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Italian:
vorticare
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Italian:
turbinare
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Italian:
roteare
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Italian:
sbattere
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Māori:
tūpererū
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Māori:
pererū
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Māori:
rorowhio
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Romanian:
șuiera
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Spanish:
zurriar
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
Spanish:
zurrir
— To move or vibrate (something) with a buzzing sound
