wolf whistle

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noun

a wolf call made by whistling, often characterized by two sliding sounds, a peal up to a higher note and then one up to a lower note and down.

a similar whistle used by a man to express physical attraction to a woman.

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Origin of wolf whistle

First recorded in 1945–50

Words nearby wolf whistle

Wolfram von Eschenbach, Wolf-Rayet star, wolfsbane, Wolfsburg, wolf spider, wolf whistle, Wollaston, wollastonite, Wollaston Lake, Wollaston wire, Wollongong

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wolf whistle in a sentence

It reminded me a bit of an alternative take on The Wolf of Wall Street—through the Toni and Candace lens.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Clean as a whistle,” says a senior investigator involved in the case.
Exclusive: Inside a Cop-Killer’s Final Hours|Michael Daly|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“During this trip, I did as a lone wolf, I risked a lot,” he said.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His later books drew heavily from experiences and people he encountered at the bar, including the cruel captain in The Sea-Wolf.
The Bars That Made America Great|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Wolf of Wall Street is a dangerous, incendiary work of art.
Coffee Talk with Ethan Hawke: On ‘Boyhood,’ Jennifer Lawrence, and Bill Clinton’s Urinal Exchange|Marlow Stern|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Robert uttered a shrill, piercing whistle which might have been heard back at the wharf.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
He heard Mohammedans alluding to a Brahmin as a leader—so might a wolf and a snake make common alliance against a watch dog.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Goodell paused in the doorway and emitted a whistle of surprise at sight of a horse in one of the stalls.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Then he goes out, gits into his Pullman section, blows his punkin whistle and departs.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher|Eleanor Gates
He only tore himself from her reluctant arms as the final whistle sounded from the engine.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

British Dictionary definitions for wolf whistle

wolf whistle

noun

a whistle made by a man to express admiration of a woman's appearance

verb wolf-whistle

(when intr, sometimes foll by at) to make such a whistle (at someone)

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