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Whirligig: meaning, definitions and examples

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whirligig

[ ˈwəːlɪɡɪɡ ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

toy

A whirligig is a spinning toy or device with a rapidly rotating wheel or set of wheels attached to a rod. It is often used as a decoration, a wind-driven whirligig can also be a simple weather vane.

Synonyms

spinner, whirlybird.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
whirligig	This word is often used to describe toys or small mechanical gadgets that spin around, such as a children's toy. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is constantly changing or a situation that is very busy or hectic. The children were delighted with the colorful whirligigs in the garden. Life can sometimes feel like a whirligig of endless tasks and responsibilities.
spinner	This word is commonly used to refer to devices that spin, such as fidget spinners or other small hand-held toys that people use to relieve stress. It can also loosely refer to anything that spins. He couldn't stop playing with his fidget spinner during the meeting. The little spinner on the fishing line helped attract the fish.
whirlybird	This word is a colloquial or informal term for a helicopter. It's usually used in casual conversations or in a playful context. Look at that whirlybird flying over the city! The tourists were excited to take a ride in the whirlybird for an aerial view.

Word

Description / Examples

whirligig

This word is often used to describe toys or small mechanical gadgets that spin around, such as a children's toy. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is constantly changing or a situation that is very busy or hectic.

The children were delighted with the colorful whirligigs in the garden.
Life can sometimes feel like a whirligig of endless tasks and responsibilities.

spinner

This word is commonly used to refer to devices that spin, such as fidget spinners or other small hand-held toys that people use to relieve stress. It can also loosely refer to anything that spins.

He couldn't stop playing with his fidget spinner during the meeting.
The little spinner on the fishing line helped attract the fish.

whirlybird

This word is a colloquial or informal term for a helicopter. It's usually used in casual conversations or in a playful context.

Look at that whirlybird flying over the city!
The tourists were excited to take a ride in the whirlybird for an aerial view.

Examples of usage

The children enjoyed playing with the colorful whirligig in the garden.
The whirligig on top of the barn spun wildly in the strong wind.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

bookbinding

In bookbinding, a whirligig refers to a device used for twisting or turning thread during the sewing process of binding a book.

Examples of usage

The bookbinder used a whirligig to ensure the thread was tightly secured in the book spine.

Translations

Translations of the word "whirligig" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pião

🇮🇳 लट्टू (lattu)

🇩🇪 Kreisel

🇮🇩 gasing

🇺🇦 дзиґа

🇵🇱 bączek

🇯🇵 独楽 (こま, koma)

🇫🇷 toupie

🇪🇸 trompo

🇹🇷 topaç

🇰🇷 팽이 (paeng-i)

🇸🇦 دوامة (duwamah)

🇨🇿 káča

🇸🇰 káča

🇨🇳 陀螺 (tuóluó)

🇸🇮 vrtavka

🇮🇸 þyrla

🇰🇿 құйын (quyyn)

🇬🇪 ციკლო (tsiklo)

🇦🇿 fırfıra

🇲🇽 trompo

Etymology

The word 'whirligig' originated in the late 15th century and combines 'whirl' (to spin rapidly) with 'gig' (a top or toy). Originally used to describe a spinning toy or wind-driven device, 'whirligig' has evolved to also refer to a bookbinding tool. The term has a whimsical connotation associated with movement and playfulness.

See also: whir, whirl, whirling, whirlpool, whirlwind.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,385, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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