#1 swirl v. [twirl, twiddle, whirl] turn in a twisting or spinning motion; "The leaves swirled in the autumn wind". wn #2 swirl v. [eddy, purl, whirlpool, whirl] flow in a circular current, of liquids. wn #3 swirl n. [whirl, vortex, convolution] the shape of something rotating rapidly. wn