WHIRLIGIG

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does whirligig mean? 

• WHIRLIGIG (noun)
  The noun WHIRLIGIG has 2 senses:

1. a conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin

2. a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement

  Familiarity information: WHIRLIGIG used as a noun is rare.

• WHIRLIGIG (verb)
  The verb WHIRLIGIG has 1 sense:

1. whirl or spin like a whirligig

  Familiarity information: WHIRLIGIG used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WHIRLIGIG (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

spinning top; teetotum; top; whirligig

Context example:

he got a bright red top and string for his birthday

Hypernyms ("whirligig" is a kind of...):

plaything; toy (an artifact designed to be played with)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "whirligig"):

humming top (a top that makes a humming noise as it spins)

peg top (a pear-shaped top made of wood with a metal center pin)

whip top; whipping top (a top that is spun by whipping)

Derivation:

whirligig (whirl or spin like a whirligig)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

carousel; carrousel; merry-go-round; roundabout; whirligig

Hypernyms ("whirligig" is a kind of...):

ride (a mechanical device that you ride for amusement or excitement)

• WHIRLIGIG (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Whirl or spin like a whirligig

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "whirligig" is one way to...):

gyrate; reel; spin; spin around; whirl (revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

whirligig (a conical child's plaything tapering to a steel point on which it can be made to spin)