What does whizzing mean?
Whizzing describes motion of great speed, often accompanied by a hissing, buzzing, or rushing sound, as in a train whizzing through a station or a bicycle whizzing past. It can also mean exceptionally good or highly skilled in informal British and American usage, particularly in expressions such as whizzing at a subject or a whizzing idea. The word therefore combines a vivid description of rapid movement with a broader figurative sense of impressive performance or ability. Its sound itself reinforces the impression of speed, making whizzing especially effective in descriptive writing. Although closely related to the verb whizz, the -ing form is widely used as both a participle and an adjective. The noun sense, referring to rapid movement or its sound, is less common but occurs in phrases such as the whizzing of an engine.
Moving with great speed, often with a hissing or buzzing sound; informally, very good or highly skilled.
"They devised a whizzing solution to a problem that had defeated the rest of the team."
The meaning excellent or highly skilled is informal and is especially common in British English.
To move with great speed, typically making a rapid rushing, hissing, or buzzing sound.
"The car whizzing past the junction made the driver brake suddenly."
This is the present-participle form of whizz and commonly appears in continuous constructions and participial phrases.
Rapid movement or the rushing, hissing, or buzzing sound produced by it.
"The whizzing of the engine grew louder as the train approached."
Usually used in the singular or as an uncountable noun; plural forms are uncommon.
Rare; the noun is normally singular or uncountable.
"The children imitated the whizzings of passing motorbikes."
With one word, whizzing can mean both moving at full speed and being brilliantly skilled.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does whizzing come from?
The base word whizz is an imitative formation associated with the hissing or buzzing sound of something moving rapidly. Adding the present-participle and gerund ending -ing produced the familiar form whizzing, which is also used adjectivally. The base form whizz also came to denote a fast or notably able person, while the spelling whiz became especially established in American English.
Related word forms
How whizzing is actually used
The rapid-motion sense is neutral to informal. The sense meaning excellent or highly skilled is distinctly informal and is especially common in British English. The usual British spelling is whizz, while whiz is common in American English.
Easily confused with whizzing
Whizzing refers to rapid movement or informal excellence, whereas wishing means hoping for or expressing a desire.