Whirlybird: meaning, definitions and examples
🚁
whirlybird
[ ˈwəːrliˌbəːrd ]
helicopter
A whirlybird is a colloquial term for a helicopter. It is used informally to refer to the rotary-wing aircraft that can take off and land vertically, hover, and fly forward, backward, and laterally.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
whirlybird |
Informal and playful term often used in casual conversation.
|
helicopter |
Formal and most commonly used term, suitable for official, educational, and general use.
|
chopper |
Informal term that may be used in the context of military, action movies, or adventurous situations. Sometimes has a rugged or bold tone.
|
copter |
A colloquial abbreviation of helicopter, suitable for casual conversation or informal writing.
|
Examples of usage
- The whirlybird landed on the roof of the skyscraper.
- We took a tour of the city in a whirlybird.
Translations
Translations of the word "whirlybird" in other languages:
🇵🇹 helicóptero
🇮🇳 हेलीकॉप्टर
🇩🇪 Hubschrauber
🇮🇩 helikopter
🇺🇦 гелікоптер
🇵🇱 helikopter
🇯🇵 ヘリコプター
🇫🇷 hélicoptère
🇪🇸 helicóptero
🇹🇷 helikopter
🇰🇷 헬리콥터
🇸🇦 مروحية
🇨🇿 vrtulník
🇸🇰 vrtuľník
🇨🇳 直升机
🇸🇮 helikopter
🇮🇸 þyrla
🇰🇿 тікұшақ
🇬🇪 ვერტმფრენი
🇦🇿 helikopter
🇲🇽 helicóptero
Etymology
The term 'whirlybird' originated in the early 20th century as a playful and informal way to refer to helicopters. The word 'whirly' suggests the sound of the rotating blades, while 'bird' emphasizes the ability of helicopters to fly. Over time, 'whirlybird' has become a popular nickname for helicopters in casual conversation and media.