twirl

/twɜːl/ (bre, ipa) · [twˈɚl] /twɜːrl/ (ame, ipa) · [twˈɚl] /ˈtwər-(-ə)l How to pronounce twirl (audio)/ (ame, mw) · [twˈɚl] /twɝːl/ (ame, ipa)

twirl — verb

  • twirlpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • twirlshe / she / it
  • twirledpast simple
  • twirling-ing form

1. to turn something repeatedly with a light, quick motion of your fingers or hand,

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to turn something repeatedly with a light, quick motion of your fingers or hand, often wrapping it in a circular path around another object or body part.

例句

Dewi twirled a strand of hair around her finger while thinking about the question.

twirl + hair + around + body part

The chef twirled the spaghetti around his fork before lifting it to his mouth.

同義詞
  • twist

    more general; can mean winding two things together, not necessarily spinning

  • wind

    focuses on wrapping around an object rather than repeatedly turning

  • roll

    implies moving along a surface or between surfaces, not free spinning in the air

文法句型

twirl + object + around + noun phrase

用法筆記

Object is typically something long, thin, or flexible — hair, a stick, a ribbon, pasta, a pen.

常見錯誤

❌She twirled the door open.
✅She twirled the key around her finger.
💡'twirl' describes a circular motion of an object, not the act of opening something.
❌He twirled his opinion during the debate.
✅He twirled his pen during the debate.
💡'twirl' is a physical action, not a mental process.

2. to turn your own body around quickly in a circle, or to make another person or t

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to turn your own body around quickly in a circle, or to make another person or thing spin in this way, often as a playful or graceful movement.

例句

Lucía twirled across the dance floor in her new red shoes.

intransitive: twirl across [surface]

Soraya picked up the toddler and twirled her around until both of them were laughing.

transitive: twirl + person + around

同義詞
  • spin

    broader, more common; can describe any rotating motion, not just body movement

  • whirl

    faster and more forceful; often implies loss of control or dizziness

  • pirouette

    specifically a ballet turn on one foot; more technical

反義詞

文法句型

twirl (intransitive): subject + twirl

twirl + object (transitive): subject + twirl + person

用法筆記

When intransitive, the subject twirls their own body. When transitive, the subject makes someone or something else spin. Frequently used in dance, performance, and playful contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The Earth twirls around the Sun.
✅The Earth revolves around the Sun.
💡'twirl' suggests a light, playful human movement, not a planetary orbit.

twirl — noun