tourbillon

whirlpool, whirlwind

noun toor-bee-YOHN Rare

Also means

swirl, vortex

Usage Note

Tourbillon describes any spinning vortex — a whirlpool in water, a dust devil, or a whirlwind. Figuratively, un tourbillon de la vie refers to the hectic rush of everyday life. In horology, the tourbillon is a prestigious watchmaking mechanism designed to counteract gravity, lending the word a sense of mechanical elegance.

Examples

"Un tourbillon de feuilles balayait la rue."

Natural Translation

A whirl of leaves swept across the street.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Telling Time in French: Hours, Quarters, 24-Hour

Telling time in French means Il est cinq heures, et quart, et demie, and the 24-hour clock like quatorze heures trente. Read any French schedule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Café Culture: How to Order Like a Local

In a French café, un café means espresso, one drink rents the table for an hour, and you must ask for the bill. Order coffee like a local with these phrases.

June 4, 2026 7 min read

FrenchNow

How to Say "I Miss You" in French (Without Errors)

"I miss you" in French is Tu me manques, not Je te manque. Learn the subject-flip behind manquer so you never text the opposite of what you mean.

June 4, 2026 6 min read