to whistle

Examples

• All

• Then she noticed Wolf standing in his defensive posture, and she whistled the signal she had taught him.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "It's just that it would be nice to hear someone accidentally whistle something of mine, somewhere, just once."

  Academic text (2001)

• In "What Does Music Mean?" the audience was asked to whistle the theme to Bridge on the River.

  Academic text (2004)

• Some people can whistle and some people can't.

  WIRED

• She then began to whistle, but the men were confused.

• Suddenly he perked up as they walked, and he began to whistle an old, old song.

  Fiction book (1991)

• I'm going to whistle all the while, if that's what it takes to make me smile.

• Alex leaned back against his plank wall, whistling one of the songs of the Pirate King.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "I'll call you," he said, straight to Janet, and walked off briskly, whistling "Greensleeves."

  Fiction book (1991)

• After the aide whistled a simple pattern, Anthony softly whistled a variation of the aide's pattern.

  Academic text (2005)

Synonyms

P

to pipe

vsto whistle

39 7.0

To make a high thin sound like a small bird or child

is produced by blowing air through lips or a device, not voice

G

to give a whistle

vsto whistle

2 4.2

Make a short high sound with lips or a small device to get attention

is used more broadly for playing tunes or giving formal signals

Idioms

W

to whistle in the dark

• Informal

1 9.3

To say something that has little effect and only comforts you

W

to wet the whistle

• Informal

1 6.3

To have a quick drink to feel less thirsty

N

not worth a whistle

• Informal

9.1

A thing that has no value or use

W

to whistle for a raise

• Informal

9.8

Expect to get something that is very unlikely, for example more pay

Phrasal Verbs

B

to blow the whistle

39 5.1

To tell the authorities or the public about wrongdoing

G

to give a whistle

2 4.2

Make a short high sound with lips or a small device to get attention

W

to whistle for help

1 3.0

Make a loud high sound by blowing through your lips to call for help

Compounds

W

whistle-blower

47 5.0

A person who tells authorities or the public about illegal actions at their workplace

D

dog whistle

• Literature

12 8.7

A phrase that sends a hidden message about politics to a certain group

W

whistle-stop

4 8.2

A short stop at a small place, for example a train stop or a campaign visit

W

whistle-stop tour

2 7.1

A series of short visits to small towns by a politician during an election campaign

F

final whistle

2 2.7

A short whistle by the referee that ends a sports match

W

whistle stop

2 7.4

A very small train station where trains pause only when someone signals

T

tin whistle

1 4.2

A small simple metal flute that you play by blowing used in folk music

S

steam whistle

1 4.6

A loud horn on steam engines used to signal or warn

F

factory whistle

1 3.9

A loud sound at a factory that signals the start or end of work

W

whistle walk

1 6.4

A slow relaxed walk while you make a short tune with your mouth

B

boat whistle

1 4.9

A loud device on a boat that makes a signal sound to warn other ships

W

whistle buoy

• Specialized

8.4

A floating marker that makes a loud sharp sound to guide ships

How Loud

to shriek

69 2.9

to whistle

142 1.6

to pipe

39 7.0

Surface Forms

Etymology