whiz

1 of 3

verb

variants or whizz
whizzed; whizzing

intransitive verb

1
: to hum, whir, or hiss like a speeding object (such as an arrow or ball) passing through air
2
: to fly or move swiftly especially with a whiz
cars whizzing by

transitive verb

: to cause to whiz
especially : to rotate very rapidly

whiz

2 of 3

noun (1)

variants or whizz
plural whizzes
1
: a hissing, buzzing, or whirring sound
2
: a movement or passage of something accompanied by a whizzing sound
3
sometimes vulgar : an act of urinating
used especially in the phrase take a whiz

whiz

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural whizzes
: wizard sense 2
a math whiz

Examples of whiz in a Sentence

Verb The ball whizzed through the air. Cars whizzed by on the highway. He whizzed past us on skates. She whizzed through the exam. Noun (1) the whiz of an arrow flying by at an uncomfortably close range the irritating whiz of a bee in the room Noun (2) the computer whiz to whom we all go when we're having problems, which is fairly often one of those whizzes who does very well in every subject
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Though beautiful, shooting stars are also signs of the cosmic shooting range through which Earth is currently whizzing. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2025 For the second time, a Trocheck turnover led to a Wild goal, this time short-handed, when Johansson whizzed a shot from atop the circles off Nyquist’s setup. Michael Russo, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
Golden is known to be an analytics whiz who looks to the numbers to guide his game plans, while Sampson is much more old school. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025 For event questions or to register via phone, call (858) 215-2570. Art of Wine with Barbara Baxter Join wine whiz Barbara Baxter, who trained at Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Napa and studied in Italy and France, on a delightful romp through cultural history paired with harmonious wines. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whiz

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

Noun (2)

probably by shortening & alteration

First Known Use

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whiz was in 1582

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiz. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

whiz

1 of 3 verb
variants or whizz
ˈhwiz How to pronounce whiz (audio)
ˈwiz
whizzed; whizzing
1
: to hum, buzz, or hiss like a speeding object (as an arrow or ball) passing through air
2
: to fly, pass, or move swiftly with a buzzing sound
cars whizzing by
whizzer noun

whiz

2 of 3 noun
variants or whizz
plural whizzes
: a humming, buzzing, or hissing sound

whiz

3 of 3 noun
plural whizzes
: wizard sense 2
a math whiz
Etymology

Verb

probably coined in imitation of the sound of a speeding object going by

Noun

probably a shortened and altered form of wizard

More from Merriam-Webster on whiz

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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