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Vortex vs Swirl - What's the difference?

vortex | swirl |

In figuratively terms the difference between vortex and swirl

is that vortex is anything that inevitably draws surrounding things into its current while swirl is to circulate.

As nouns the difference between vortex and swirl

is that vortex is a whirlwind, whirlpool, or similarly moving matter in the form of a spiral or column while swirl is a whirling eddy.

As a verb swirl is

to twist or whirl, as an eddy.

vortex

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A whirlwind, whirlpool, or similarly moving matter in the form of a spiral or column.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-03
    • , author=Frank Fish, George Lauder , title=Not Just Going with the Flow , volume=101, issue=2, page=114 , magazine= citation , passage=An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex'''''. The ' vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain, as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes.}}
  • (figuratively) Anything that involves constant violent or chaotic activity around some centre.
  • (figuratively) Anything that inevitably draws surrounding things into its current.
  • (historical) A supposed collection of particles of very subtle matter, endowed with a rapid rotary motion around an axis which was also the axis of a sun or planet; part of a Cartesian theory accounting for the formation of the universe, and the movements of the bodies composing it.
  • (zoology) Any of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera.

    • Quotations

    2004': the consumer '''vortex that is East Hampton — ''The New Yorker, 30 August 2004, p.38

    Related terms

    * vortical * vorticity

    See also

    * eddy * ley line * maelstrom

    References

    * * English nouns with irregular plurals ----

    swirl

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A whirling eddy.
  • A twist or coil of something.

    • Derived terms

    * (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (ambitransitive) To twist or whirl, as an eddy.
    • I swirled my brush around in the paint.
  • * Charles Kingsley
    • The river swirled along.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 13 , author=Alistair Magowan , title=Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The contest was a lot more even in the second half, as the wind swirled around the Stadium of Light, but it took Craig Gardner's superb block to prevent Young getting on the scoresheet.}}
  • To be arranged in a twist, spiral or whorl.
  • (figuratively) to circulate
  • * 2013 May 23, , " British Leader’s Liberal Turn Sets Off a Rebellion in His Party," New York Times (retrieved 29 May 2013):
    • Mr. Cameron had a respite Thursday from the negative chatter swirling around him when he appeared outside 10 Downing Street to denounce the murder a day before of a British soldier on a London street.