a violent whirlwind carrying snow, occurring in Antarctica
Word origin
[whirl + -y2]-y is a noun-forming suffix with a variety of functions in contemporary English, addedto monosyllabic bases to create words that are almost always informal. Its earliestuse, probably still productive, was to form endearing or familiar names or commonnouns from personal names, other nouns, and adjectives (Billy; Susie; birdie; doggie; granny; sweetie; tummy). The hypocoristic feature is absent in recent coinages, however, which are simplyinformal and sometimes pejorative (boonies; cabby; groupie; hippy; looie; Okie; preemie; preppy; rookie). Another function is to form from adjectives nouns that denote exemplary or extremeinstances of the quality named by the adjective (baddie; biggie; cheapie; toughie), sometimes focusing on a restricted, usually unfavorable sense of the adjective(sharpie; sickie; whitey). A few words in which the informal character of -y and -ie has been lost are now standard in formal written English (goalie; movie)
Examples of 'whirly' in a sentence
whirly
His shows always involve the creation of wacky machines that do strange, whirly things.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The eccentrically shaped, whirly, hairy seedheads will sit around for the rest of the year.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She says her thoughts remain 'twirly and whirly', though she makes an articulate presenter of this documentary.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
It works beautifully, begging the question of why dated mahogany and swirly-whirly carpets are still favoured on other ships.