😗 To make a sound 🔊 A high sound 🔔 A signaling device 💨 To move with sound 🎶 A simple flute

to whistle

16 3.3

To move quickly while making a high whistling sound

verb
/ˈhwɪsəl/

: silbar

Harry sits at the table tapping out a rhythm on the table and whistling very softly to himself.
wind whistled
whistled in the breeze
whistled through the air

Examples

When he got excited, he would whistle as he ran down the street.
Shadows from the houses leaned inward, and a chill wind whistled past them.

Fiction book (1993)
Over and over, he began to whistle the same tune, then cut himself off.

Fiction book (1994)
Only the wind could be heard whistling overhead, less often the chirping of a bird.

Fiction book (1992)
Harry's driving along, whistling happily to himself in anticipation of the night.

Fiction book (1994)
In moments, Isabel's dainty snores issued forth from her room, whistling in my ears like a kind of tune.

Fiction book (1994)
The children whistled happily as they played in the park.
She whistled to get the dog's attention and called him over.

Synonyms

to whine

vsto whistle

39 2.6

To make a long high, unpleasant sound like a machine

is quick and produces a shorter high pitched sound rather than a long unpleasant tone

to sing

vsto whistle

26 7.8

To make a high thin sound like a whistle

involves quick movement causing the high pitched sound rather than only producing tone

to swish

vsto whistle

19 4.1

To move with a soft hissing or rustling sound in a smooth sweep

is sharper and more high pitched rather than a smooth sweep

to whoosh

vsto whistle

17 4.5

To move very quickly and make a rushing sound

is specifically high pitched rather than simply rushing

to swoosh

vsto whistle

3 5.6

To move quickly and make a soft rushing sound

is similar but stresses a sharper high pitched tone

to give a whistle

vsto whistle

2 4.2

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

involves movement that creates the sound rather than deliberate human signalling

to whizzle

vsto whistle

2 9.5

To make a high, sharp sound while moving quickly through the air

is focused on a high pitched tone rather than hissing or buzzing

to whiffle

vsto whistle

1 7.3

To move or blow gently, making a soft rustling sound

is sharper and focused on strong high pitched tone rather than soft rustle

to whush

vsto whistle

1 8.6

To move quickly while making a soft rushing sound

is louder and produces a higher pitched tone rather than soft rush

to swosh

vsto whistle

9.6

To move with a soft hissing or whooshing sound

is more about sharp high pitched sound and quick motion

to wiffle

vsto whistle

8.4

To make a soft swishing sound when something moves quickly through the air

is louder and emphasizes a high pitched tone rather than soft airy movement

Idioms

to whistle in the dark

Informal

1 9.3

To say something that has little effect and only comforts you

to wet the whistle

Informal

1 6.3

To have a quick drink to feel less thirsty

not worth a whistle

Informal

9.1

A thing that has no value or use

to whistle for a raise

Informal

9.8

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

Phrasal Verbs

to blow the whistle

39 5.1

To tell the authorities or the public about wrongdoing

to give a whistle

2 4.2

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

to whistle for help

1 3.0

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

Compounds

whistle-blower

47 5.0

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

dog whistle

Literature

12 8.7

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

whistle-stop

4 8.2

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

whistle-stop tour

2 7.1

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

final whistle

2 2.7

A short whistle by the referee that ends a sports match

whistle stop

2 7.4

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

tin whistle

1 4.2

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

steam whistle

1 4.6

A loud horn on steam engines used to signal or warn

factory whistle

1 3.9

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

whistle walk

1 6.4

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

boat whistle

1 4.9

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

whistle buoy

Specialized

8.4

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

How Fast

zoom

1 4.1

to rush

637 1.0

to whistle

16 3.3

to dash

67 1.0

to hurry

∞ 1.0

to move

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

whistle infinitive

whistled past

whistled past participle

whistling present participle

whistles third person singular

Etymology

This use of whistle comes from the same idea of the whist sound that fast things make as they move through the air. That's why we say wind, bullets, or trains 'whistle' when they rush past and make a high, rushing noise.