eddies

Small water vortices

Eddies are circular currents moving against the main flow—water swirling behind a rock in a stream, or air curling in the wake of a building.

The singular eddy also works as a verb: Leaves eddied in the wind.

Figuratively, anything that moves in similar patterns eddies: Rumors eddied through the office.

water

swirl

Rotating, curving movement

whirlpoolRotating water formation
currentDirected flow of charge
vortexRotating fluid column

backwater · stream · pool · ripple · turbulence · flow · river · creek · paddle · kayak

air

gust

Brief wind surge

windAir current outdoors
turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
draftPreliminary version of text

updraft · thermal · swirl · breeze · dust devil · convection · atmospheric · airflow · downdraft · circulation

metaphorical

swirl

Rotating, curving movement

chaosComplete disorder and confusion
confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
turbulenceChaotic flow patterns

commotion · flux · turmoil · undercurrent · movement · crowd · bustle · stir · whirl · agitation

Categories

micrometeorologyboundary layer, turbulence, latent heat, energy balance, microclimate
Ocean Phenomenatsunami, tides, rogue wave, ocean current, swells
river adventureswhitewater rafting, rafting, kayak rentals, canoe rentals, canoeing
water movementsripples, waves, swirls, whirlpool, vortex
riverbankriverbank, bank, shore, shoreline, embankment
oceanographyoceanography, oceanographer, sonar, marine science, ocean circulation

Opposites

flow direction

eddieslaminar flow

Smooth, parallel fluid motion

mainstream · downstream flow · direct current · steady flow · jet stream

water state

eddiesstill water

Water not flowing

stagnant water · slack water · dead water · millpond · standing water

Phrases

steady EddiesConsistently dependable individuals

Family

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G