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Glite Dictionary
💵 Ethiopian money 🌀 A whirring sound 🌀 To whir
to birr

to birr

9.9
To make a soft whirring sound while moving quickly
  • verb
  • /bɪr/
  • UK
translation icon : zumbar
  • The old sewing machine birred softly as she pressed the pedal.

Examples

  • Through the quiet night, the fan in the corner birred steadily.

  • The drone birrs as it flies overhead.

  • A tiny drone birred overhead, barely audible above the traffic.

  • The old fan birrs quietly in the corner.

  • The old sewing machine birred softly as she pressed the pedal.

  • Through the quiet night, the fan in the corner birred steadily.

  • A tiny drone birred overhead, barely audible above the traffic.

Synonyms

to whirr
vsto birr
16 6.7

To make a soft, steady buzzing sound often from things that move fast like fan blades

is a softer whirring or swishing not focused on fast motion
to purr
vsto birr
6 3.5

To make a soft steady vibrating sound like a running engine

is more about soft whirring or swishing rather than steady vibration
to whir
vsto birr
2 4.6

To make a soft, continuous sound by turning or moving fast

is about soft whirring or swishing without stressing rapid speed
to bizz
vsto birr
9.9

To make a short low buzzing sound like a small electronic motor or insect

denotes a softer more sustained whirring or swishing rather than brief buzz

How Loud

to roar
98 1.0
to whirr
16 6.7
to birr
  • UK
9.9
to hum
49 1.0
purr
14 1.0
to rustle
22 3.2

Surface Forms

birr infinitive
birred past
birred past participle
birring present participle
birrs third person singular

Etymology

The verb birr comes from the same sound idea as the noun, copying the soft 'brr' of a machine, so to birr is to make that low, steady whirring noise.