twirl

(twûrl)

v. twirled, twirl·ing, twirls

v.tr.

1. To rotate or revolve briskly; swing in a circle; spin: twirled a baton to lead the band.

2. To twist or wind around: twirl thread on a spindle.

v.intr.

1. To move or spin around rapidly, suddenly, or repeatedly: The pinwheel twirled in the breeze.

2. To whirl or turn suddenly; make an about-face: twirled in the direction of the noise.

3. Baseball To pitch.

1. The act of twirling or the condition of being twirled; a quick spinning or twisting.

2. Something twirled; a twist: a twirl of cotton candy.

[Origin unknown.]

twirl′er n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	twirler - someone who twirls a baton baton twirler drum majorette, majorette - a female baton twirler who accompanies a marching band performer, performing artist - an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
	2.	twirler - (baseball) the person who does the pitching; "our pitcher has a sore arm" hurler, pitcher baseball, baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League ball in the area"; "play ball!" softball game, softball - a game closely resembling baseball that is played on a smaller diamond and with a ball that is larger and softer ballplayer, baseball player - an athlete who plays baseball left hander, left-handed pitcher, lefthander, left-hander, southpaw, lefty - a baseball pitcher who throws the ball with the left hand right-handed pitcher, right-hander - (baseball) a pitcher who throws with the right hand relief pitcher, reliever, fireman - a pitcher who does not start the game screwballer - (baseball) a pitcher who throws screwballs starting pitcher - (baseball) a pitcher who starts in a baseball game thrower - someone who projects something (especially by a rapid motion of the arm)

twirler

twirl