English pronunciation · Words Starting with W
Whorl Pronunciation
Whorl is pronounced WAWRL, IPA /ˈhwɔrl/.
WAWRL
US /ˈhwɔrl/ · UK /ˈwɔːl/
Syllables: WAWRL (1 syllable)
noun: A pattern of spirals or rings, as in a fingerprint or a shell.
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Whorl in a Sentence
- Each whorl on a shell marks a season of growth.
- The examiner counted the ridges in every whorl.
- A whorl of leaves circles the stem at each node.
Common Mispronunciations of Whorl
Not WORL-duh
One syllable, and no d anywhere. The word is not a shortened form of world.
Not HWERL with a heavy h
The wh here works like the wh of who rather than which for some speakers, but most say a plain w. Do not add an audible h before it.
Tip: Two readings are current: WAWRL, rhyming with oral, and WURL, rhyming with curl. Dictionaries list both.
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