whistle

American  

[wis-uhl, hwis-] / ˈwɪs əl, ˈʰwɪs- /

verb (used without object)

whistled, whistling

1. to make a clear musical sound, a series of such sounds, or a high-pitched, warbling sound by the forcible expulsion of the breath through a small opening formed by contracting the lips, or through the teeth, with the aid of the tongue.

2. to make such a sound or series of sounds otherwise, as by blowing on some device.

3. to emit similar sounds from the mouth, as birds do.

4. (of a device) to produce a similar sound when actuated by steam or the like.

   This teakettle whistles when it boils.

5. to move, go, pass, etc., with a whistling or whizzing sound, as a bullet or the wind.

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verb (used with object)

whistled, whistling

1. to produce by whistling.

   to whistle a tune.

2. to call, direct, or signal by or as by whistling.

   He whistled his dog over.

3. to send with a whistling or whizzing sound.

noun

1. an instrument for producing whistling sounds by means of the breath, steam, etc., as a small wooden or tin tube, a pipe, or a similar device with an air chamber containing a small ball that oscillates when air is forced through an opening, producing a high-pitched, warbling tone.

2. a sound produced by whistling.

   a prolonged whistle of astonishment.

3. a simple fipple flute.

verb phrase

1. whistle for to demand or expect without success.

   After promising to pay, he told us we could whistle for our money.

idioms

1. whistle in the dark, to attempt to summon up one's courage or optimism in a difficult situation.

   He says his business will improve next year, but he's probably just whistling in the dark.

2. wet one's whistle, to take a drink.

3. whistle past the graveyard. whistle past the graveyard.

4. blow the whistle on,

   1. to bring a stop to; halt.

      Congress has blown the whistle on all unnecessary expenditures for the program.

   2. to expose (wrongdoing or wrongdoers).

      to blow the whistle on corruption in high places.

5. blow the whistle, to expose the existence of mischief or wrongdoing.

   The agent was taking bribes until someone finally blew the whistle.

whistle British  

/ ˈwɪsəl /

verb

1. to produce (shrill or flutelike musical sounds), as by passing breath through a narrow constriction most easily formed by the pursed lips

   he whistled a melody

2. (tr) to signal, summon, or command by whistling or blowing a whistle

   the referee whistled the end of the game

3. (of a kettle, train, etc) to produce (a shrill sound) caused by the emission of steam through a small aperture

4. (intr) to move with a whistling sound caused by rapid passage through the air

5. (of animals, esp birds) to emit (a shrill sound) resembling human whistling

6. to try to keep up one's confidence in spite of fear

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noun

1. a device for making a shrill high-pitched sound by means of air or steam under pressure

2. a shrill sound effected by whistling

3. a whistling sound, as of a bird, bullet, the wind, etc

4. a signal, warning, command, etc, transmitted by or as if by a whistle

5. the act of whistling

6. music any pipe that is blown down its end and produces sounds on the principle of a flue pipe, usually having as a mouthpiece a fipple cut in the side

7. informal to take an alcoholic drink

8. informal (usually foll by on)

   1. to inform (on)

   2. to bring a stop (to)

whistle More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing whistle

• blow the whistle on
• clean as a whistle
• slick as a whistle
• wet one's whistle

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Other Word Forms

• interwhistle verb (used with object)
• unwhistled adjective
• whistleable adjective

Etymology

Origin of whistle

First recorded before 950; (verb) Middle English whistlen, Old English hwistlian; akin to Old Norse hvīsla “to whistle,” hviskra “to whisper”; whine; (noun) Middle English; Old English hwistle “instrument,” akin to the verb

Example Sentences

There’s a pause while all four Beatles whistle “God Save the Queen” in harmony.

From Salon

That meant the ball was live, and Charbonnet happened to nonchalantly pick up the ball in the end zone after the whistle was blown.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even late in the first half, when Alabama had clawed back to 17-10, the Sooners had the ball with a chance to tack on points before the whistle.

From The Wall Street Journal

The silence was broken only by the whistles of guards who control the movement of crowds and ensure tourists do not breach rules, such as the ban on drinking from the fountain.

From Barron's

No sooner had the referee blown the final whistle at Selhurst Park, Glasner's attention immediately switched to Saturday's Premier League match at Leeds United.

From BBC

Related Words

• blare
• hiss