Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [hwis-uh l, wis-]
- /ˈʰwɪs əl, ˈwɪs-/
- /ˈwɪsl/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hwis-uh l, wis-]
- /ˈʰwɪs əl, ˈwɪs-/
Definitions of whistle word
- verb without object whistle 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. 1
- verb without object whistle to make such a sound or series of sounds otherwise, as by blowing on some device. 1
- verb without object whistle to emit similar sounds from the mouth, as birds do. 1
- verb without object whistle (of a device) to produce a similar sound when actuated by steam or the like: This teakettle whistles when it boils. 1
- verb without object whistle to move, go, pass, etc., with a whistling or whizzing sound, as a bullet or the wind. 1
- verb with object whistle to produce by whistling: to whistle a tune. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of whistle
First appearance:
before 950 One of the 4% oldest English words
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.
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Whistle
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
whistle popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 94% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
whistle usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for whistle
verb whistle
- screech — to utter or make a harsh, shrill cry or sound: The child screeched hysterically. The brakes screeched.
- shrill — high-pitched and piercing in sound quality: a shrill cry.
- shriek — a loud, sharp, shrill cry.
- hoot — to cry out or shout, especially in disapproval or derision.
- toot — (of a horn or whistle) to give forth its characteristic sound.
Top questions with whistle
- how to whistle?
- how to whistle with your fingers?
- get low when the whistle go?
- how to whistle with fingers?
- how to whistle loud?
- how to whistle with two fingers?
- how do you whistle?
- what is whistle blower?
- when the whistle blows?
- what is a whistle pig?
- get low when the whistle blow lyrics?
- how to whistle with your hands?
- what is dog whistle politics?
- how to wolf whistle?
- how to spell whistle?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with w
- Words starting with wh
- Words starting with whi
- Words starting with whis
- Words starting with whist
- Words starting with whistl
- Words starting with whistle