whirr

/wɜː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /wɜːr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈ(h)wər How to pronounce whir (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /wɜːr/ (bre, ipa) · /wɝː/ (ame, ipa)

whirr — verb

  • whirrpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • whirrshe / she / it
  • whirredpast simple
  • whirring-ing form

1. to make the kind of quiet, steady humming sound that comes from a spinning fan,

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to make the kind of quiet, steady humming sound that comes from a spinning fan, a running motor, or wings beating quickly

例句

Elara's old laptop whirred softly as she finished her essay.

collocation: whirred softly

The ceiling fan whirred above Kwame while he ate his lunch.

同義詞
  • buzz

    higher-pitched and often electrical, like a phone or a bee

  • hum

    more musical and resonant, like a fridge or a person humming a tune

  • drone

    deeper, flatter, and more monotonous; can feel tiresome over time

  • whiz

    focuses on speed through air; the sound is sharper and shorter

文法句型

[machine/object] + whirr (+ adverb)

[machine/object] + whirr + prepositional phrase

用法筆記

British English standardly spells this 'whirr' (double r); American English often uses 'whir' (single r). Both varieties double the r before -ed and -ing: whirred, whirring.

常見錯誤

❌A mosquito whirred past my ear.
✅A mosquito buzzed past my ear.
💡A whirr is a low, steady sound; insects make higher-pitched buzzing sounds. Use 'buzz' for small fast wings.
❌The door whirred open with a single loud noise.
✅The door creaked open.
💡A whirr is a continuous sound, not a sudden one. Use 'creak', 'bang', or 'slam' for single sharp noises.

whirr — noun