whistle

[wis-uhl, hwis-]

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.

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.

whistle

/ 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

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)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of whistle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of whistle¹

Old English hwistlian; related to Old Norse hvīsla

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing whistle

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

Example Sentences

The BBC's undercover reporter repeatedly filmed officers revelling in the use of force, revealing a culture of confidence and trust that colleagues would not blow the whistle on them.

From BBC

As many trees are still in full leaf, they are more likely to be toppled with branches broken off than during the winter when the wind can whistle through them unimpeded.

From BBC

And the cacophony inside also started hours before the start and, when the action began, every Liverpool touch was greeted with deafening, piercing whistles.

From BBC

After the final whistle three years on, Aldcroft was holding aloft the World Cup in triumph.

From BBC

Thanks in part to her premature departure, Riperton remains curiously underappreciated in the broader culture, according to Wonder and others, who say the singer with the so-called whistle register has yet to receive her due.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blare 
• hiss