Definition of WHISTLE

whistle

Plural: whistles

Noun

  • the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
  • the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle
    • "the whistle signalled the end of the game"
  • a small wind instrument that produces a whistling sound by blowing into it
  • acoustic device that forces air or steam against an edge or into a cavity and so produces a loud shrill sound
  • an inexpensive fipple flute
  • A device designed to be placed in the mouth and blown, or driven by steam or some other mechanism, to make a whistling sound.
  • An act of whistling.
  • A shrill, high-pitched sound made by whistling.
  • Any high-pitched sound similar to the sound made by whistling.
  • A suit (from whistle and flute).
  • The mouth and throat; so called as being the organs of whistling.

Verb

Verb Forms: whistled, whistling, whistles

  • To make a clear, shrill sound by forcing air.
  • make whistling sounds
  • move with, or as with, a whistling sound
    • "The bullets whistled past him"
  • utter or express by whistling
    • "She whistled a melody"
  • move, send, or bring as if by whistling
    • "Her optimism whistled away these worries"
  • make a whining, ringing, or whistling sound
  • give a signal by whistling
    • "She whistled for her maid"
  • To make a shrill, high-pitched sound by forcing air through the mouth. To produce a whistling sound, restrictions to the flow of air are created using the teeth, tongue and lips.
  • To make a similar sound by forcing air through a musical instrument or a pipe etc.
  • To move in such a way as to create a whistling sound.
  • To send, signal, or call by a whistle.
  • To request admission to Opus Dei, a Roman Catholic organization.

Examples

  • A bullet whistled past.
  • He was whistling a happy tune.
  • Never whistle at a funeral.
  • She could almost whistle with delight after playing a seven-letter word in Scrabble.
  • The steam train whistled as it passed by.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English whistel, whistil, whistle, from Old English hwistle, from the verb (see below).

Synonyms

pennywhistle, sing, tin whistle, whistling

Scrabble Score: 13

whistle: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
whistle: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
whistle: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

whistle: valid Words With Friends Word