WordGarden.iowhiz
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈɪz/
US
- /ˈhwɪz/
Meanings
Noun
a person who is very clever or highly skilled at something
an act of urinating
Verb
to move quickly with a rushing or whizzing sound
to urinate
Beyond the definition
A "whiz" can describe fast movement, like something rushing past with a sharp sound. It also describes a person who is very good at something. A computer whiz is very skilled with technology, and a math whiz solves problems quickly. You can also say someone "whizzes through" a task when they finish it very fast and with little trouble.
The word often gives a feeling of speed because it sounds like the noise of something moving quickly through the air. It is often used in a light, playful way for skill or quick action. For example, "She whizzed through the exam" or "He's a coding whiz." In informal English, it can also mean urination, especially in the phrase "take a whiz," so context matters.
The word "whiz" has two main everyday ideas: speed and skill. It likely began as a sound word, copying the noise of something moving quickly through the air. You can picture an arrow whizzing past or a ball flying by with a light buzzing sound.
Over time, it also came to mean a person who is especially good at a particular activity or subject. A computer whiz is very skilled with technology, and a math whiz solves problems with ease. This meaning often suggests not only talent, but also speed, as if the person can move through difficult work without much effort.
You can use "whiz" as a verb too. To "whiz through" something means to complete it very quickly and efficiently, as in "She whizzed through the paperwork." In this sense, the word combines speed with ease.
There are also informal meanings. In casual English, "take a whiz" means to urinate. You may also see the spelling "whizz," especially for the verb form. While these less formal uses exist, the most common meanings still center on quick movement and being very good at something. Whether it describes something speeding by or a person with unusual ability, "whiz" is a lively word that suggests quick, easy performance.
Examples
- 1
Practical skill
My brother is a whiz at fixing bikes.
- 2
Workplace skill
If your laptop freezes again, ask Nina — she's the office computer whiz.
- 3
Young talent
At twenty-two, he was already being described as a financial whiz kid.
- Phrasewhiz kid
a young person who is unusually talented or successful
- 4
Fast movement
A black car whizzed past us before I could read the license plate.
- Phrasewhiz past
go past very fast, often with a light rushing sound
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Time passing
Summer always seems to whiz by when I'm busy.
See also
Forms and spellings
7 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- whizverbnoun
Forms
- whizzing-ing formverbnoun
- whizzedpast tensepast participleverbnoun
- whizzesverbnoun
- whizedpast tenseverbnoun
- whizesverbnoun
- whizing-ing formverbnoun