0%

whistle in the dark

whis·tle in the dark
W w

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [hwis-uh l, wis- in stressed th ee dahrk]
    • /ˈʰwɪs əl, ˈwɪs- ɪn stressed ði dɑrk/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [hwis-uh l, wis- in stressed th ee dahrk]
    • /ˈʰwɪs əl, ˈwɪs- ɪn stressed ði dɑrk/

Definitions of whistle in the dark words

  • verb without object whistle in the dark 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 in the dark to make such a sound or series of sounds otherwise, as by blowing on some device. 1
  • verb without object whistle in the dark to emit similar sounds from the mouth, as birds do. 1
  • verb without object whistle in the dark (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 in the dark to move, go, pass, etc., with a whistling or whizzing sound, as a bullet or the wind. 1
  • verb with object whistle in the dark to produce by whistling: to whistle a tune. 1
See all 19 definitions of whistle in the dark

Information block about the term

Origin of whistle in the dark

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 in the dark

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Whistle in the dark

whistle in the dark 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 in the dark usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?