vortex

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   A spinning mass of air, water, or other fluid that pulls things toward its center.

   Grammar: Takes a plural: vortices or vortexes. Often used for weather, water, or physics.

   Patterns

   • a vortex of air/water
   • caught in a vortex
   • form a vortex

   The drain formed a small vortex as the water rushed out.

   A vortex of cold air dipped south and froze the plains.

   Leaves spun into a vortex behind the truck.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   A powerful situation or feeling that draws someone in and is hard to escape.

   Grammar: Used figuratively with of: a vortex of debt, rumor, or grief.

   Patterns

   • a vortex of something
   • be trapped in a vortex
   • spiral into a vortex

   He felt trapped in a vortex of debt after losing his job.

   The scandal pulled the whole office into a vortex of suspicion.

   Grief became a vortex that made ordinary days feel distant.

Word forms

Common combinations

a vortex of water

The paddle created a vortex of water near the rocks.

caught in a vortex

The swimmer was caught in a vortex below the falls.

a vortex of debt

High interest turned a small loan into a vortex of debt.

Synonyms and how they differ

whirlpool

Specifically a spinning body of water; vortex can be air, liquid, gas, or figurative.

maelstrom

Suggests violent chaos and often figurative confusion, stronger and more literary than vortex.

eddy

A smaller, slower swirl; a vortex is usually larger or more forceful.

Opposites

Word family

vortical adjective

Relating to or like a vortex; technical and less common.

Commonly confused: vortex or vertex?

Practice

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