whistle

[ hwis-uh l, wis- ]

/ ˈʰwɪs əl, ˈwɪs- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR whistle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), whis·tled, whis·tling.

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.

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

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

(of a device) to produce a similar sound when actuated by steam or the like: This teakettle whistles when it boils.

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

verb (used with object), whis·tled, whis·tling.

to produce by whistling: to whistle a tune.

to call, direct, or signal by or as by whistling: He whistled his dog over.

to send with a whistling or whizzing sound.

noun

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.

a sound produced by whistling: a prolonged whistle of astonishment.

a simple fipple flute.

Verb Phrases

whistle for, to demand or expect without success: After promising to pay, he told us we could whistle for our money.

QUIZZES

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Commas mark divisions in sentences. Periods end declarative sentences. Apostrophes show possession. Easy, right? Well, punctuation can get pretty tricky—fast. Think you got what it takes to be a punctuation expert? Take our quiz to prove it!

Question 1 of 10

Which of the options below is the best punctuation for the sentence? It__s your turn to pick the movie __ but your sister gets to pick the board game we _ re going to play.

Its your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.

It’s your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game were going to play.

It’s your turn to pick the movie, but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.

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Idioms for whistle

blow the whistle, to expose the existence of mischief or wrongdoing: The agent was taking bribes until someone finally blew the whistle.

blow the whistle on,

to bring a stop to; halt: Congress has blown the whistle on all unnecessary expenditures for the program.
to expose (wrongdoing or wrongdoers): to blow the whistle on corruption in high places.

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

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.

Origin of whistle

before 950; (v.) Middle English whistlen, Old English hwistlian; akin to Old Norse hvīsla to whistle, hviskra to whisper; see whine; (noun) Middle English; Old English hwistle instrument, akin to the v.

OTHER WORDS FROM whistle

whis·tle·a·ble, adjectivein·ter·whis·tle, verb (used with object), in·ter·whis·tled, in·ter·whis·tling.un·whis·tled, adjective

Words nearby whistle

whispering gallery, whisperous, whispery, whist, whist drive, whistle, whistle dixie, whistle for, whistle in the dark, whistle pig, whistle stop

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for whistle for (1 of 2)

whistle for

verb

(intr, preposition) informal to seek or expect in vain

British Dictionary definitions for whistle for (2 of 2)

whistle

/ (ˈwɪsəl) /

verb

to produce (shrill or flutelike musical sounds), as by passing breath through a narrow constriction most easily formed by the pursed lipshe whistled a melody

(tr) to signal, summon, or command by whistling or blowing a whistlethe referee whistled the end of the game

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

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

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

whistle in the dark to try to keep up one's confidence in spite of fear

noun

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

a shrill sound effected by whistling

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

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

the act of whistling

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

wet one's whistle informal to take an alcoholic drink

blow the whistle (usually foll by on) informal

to inform (on)
to bring a stop (to)

Word Origin for whistle

Old English hwistlian; related to Old Norse hvīsla

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with whistle for (1 of 2)

whistle for

Ask for or expect without any prospect of success, as in If you want a cash refund, you can just whistle for it. [Mid-1700s]

Idioms and Phrases with whistle for (2 of 2)

whistle

In addition to the idioms beginning with whistle

whistle Dixie
whistle for
whistle in the dark

also see:

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

whistle

verb (used without object), whis·tled, whis·tling.

verb (used with object), whis·tled, whis·tling.

noun

Verb Phrases

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL PUNCTUATION!

Idioms for whistle

Origin of whistle

OTHER WORDS FROM whistle

Words nearby whistle

Words related to whistle for

British Dictionary definitions for whistle for (1 of 2)

verb

British Dictionary definitions for whistle for (2 of 2)

verb

noun

Word Origin for whistle

Idioms and Phrases with whistle for (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with whistle for (2 of 2)