wolf whistle

American  

noun

1. 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.

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

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wolf whistle British  

noun

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

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verb

1. to make such a whistle (at someone)

Etymology

Origin of wolf whistle

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Donham may be "more than a wolf whistle" in her own eyes, and in the eyes of her family and friends.

From Salon • Aug. 12, 2022

Q furnishes him with a keyring that fires stun gas, opens 90% of the world's locks, and has an explosive charge detonated by a wolf whistle.

From The Guardian • Oct. 5, 2012

Staid, stout and respectable, they ignored the hotspots, loosed not a wolf whistle.

From Time Magazine Archive

One day, startled by a piercing wolf whistle from outside, a Zahle teacher snapped in Danish: "Some kind of punk!"

From Time Magazine Archive

So far he has learned only one phrase of dolphin language: the "mayday" distress call, a sharp, up-and-down squeal that sounds like a wolf whistle.

From Time Magazine Archive