Churning

/ˈtʃɜːrnɪŋ/

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To agitate vigorously; to rotate rapidly.

/ˈtʃɜːrnɪŋ/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To stir or shake vigorously.

The ocean was churning with waves.

💡 Simply: Imagine shaking a bottle of juice really hard - that's churning! It's all about mixing things up vigorously.

👶 For kids: To shake something really, really hard!

More Examples

2

The machine churns out hundreds of products every day.

How It's Used

Cooking

"She was churning the butter by hand."

Oceanography

"The ocean was churning violently during the storm."

2

Characterized by unrest or turmoil.

/ˈtʃɜːrnɪŋ/

adjectivenegativeIntermediate
Technology

Characterized by turmoil or agitation.

Her mind was churning with anxieties.

💡 Simply: Like a washing machine spinning fast and making everything messy, a churning situation is full of confusion and problems.

👶 For kids: Messy and confusing.

More Examples

2

The churning sea made the boat rock wildly.

How It's Used

Politics

"The political climate was churning with uncertainty."

Finance

"The stock market was experiencing a churning period."

Tip:Think of a churning stomach – uneasy and unsettled.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

churn out

To produce something quickly and in large quantities.

"The factory churns out thousands of cars every year."

From Middle English *churnen, from Old English *cyrnan "to churn, stir". Related to words implying turning or agitation.

The word's original meaning refers to the act of making butter. Its metaphorical use relating to turmoil became more prevalent in later centuries.

Memory tip

Imagine churning milk into butter - vigorous shaking!

Word Origin

Original meaning

"to turn, stir"

Base: churn
churning seachurning emotionschurn out products

Common misspellings

churninggchurnin

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written