Wooshing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Characterized by the sound or action of something moving swiftly through the air, often creating a rushing noise
2. Describing a swift movement that produces a breezy or whooshing sound as it displaces air
3. Relating to the auditory sensation associated with rapid airflow or the motion of objects traveling at high speed

Etymology: "Wooshing" is the present participle of "woosh", so its history is that of the verb it comes from. "Woosh" is an imitative word, formed to echo the sound of something moving quickly through air, and it describes a rushing, whooshing noise rather than a particular object or action. The verb's form, with its doubled vowel and rising "sh" ending, mirrors the sound it names, a pattern common to many words made to sound like what they describe.

Synonyms: whooshing, swishing, whirling, swooshing, rustling