Swirl vs. Vortex — What's the Difference?

To move with a twisting or whirling motion; eddy.

In fluid dynamics, a vortex (plural vortices/vortexes) is a region in a fluid in which the flow revolves around an axis line, which may be straight or curved. Vortices form in stirred fluids, and may be observed in smoke rings, whirlpools in the wake of a boat, and the winds surrounding a tropical cyclone, tornado or dust devil.

To be dizzy or disoriented.

A whirling mass of fluid or air, especially a whirlpool or whirlwind

To be arranged in a spiral, whorl, or twist.

A whirling mass of water or air that sucks everything near it toward its center.

To cause to move with a twisting or whirling motion

A place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it, and hence being inescapable or destructive

To form into or arrange in a spiral, whorl, or twist.

A whirlwind, whirlpool, or similarly moving matter in the form of a spiral or column.

A whirling or eddying motion or mass

(figuratively) Anything that involves constant violent or chaotic activity around some centre.

Something, such as a curl of hair, that coils, twists, or whirls.

(figuratively) Anything that inevitably draws surrounding things into its current.

Whirling confusion or disorder

(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.

(ambitransitive) To twist or whirl, as an eddy.

(zoology) Any of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera.

To be arranged in a twist, spiral or whorl.

(chemistry) To mix using a vortex mixer

(figuratively) To circulate.

A mass of fluid, especially of a liquid, having a whirling or circular motion tending to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle, and to draw in towards the center bodies subject to its action; the form assumed by a fluid in such motion; a whirlpool; an eddy.

To mingle interracially.

A supposed collection of particles of very subtile matter, endowed with a rapid rotary motion around an axis which was also the axis of a sun or a planet. Descartes attempted to account for the formation of the universe, and the movements of the bodies composing it, by a theory of vortices.

A whirling eddy.

Any one of numerous species of small Turbellaria belonging to Vortex and allied genera. See Illustration in Appendix.

A twist or coil of something.

The shape of something rotating rapidly

(fishing) The upward rushing of a fish through the water to take the bait.

A powerful circular current of water (usually the resulting of conflicting tides)

Interracial mingling e.g. dating, sex, marriage, etc..

To whirl, or cause to whirl, as in an eddy.

A whirling motion; an eddy, as of water; a whirl.

The shape of something rotating rapidly

Turn in a twisting or spinning motion;

Flow in a circular current, of liquids