# whistle

/ˈhwɪsəɫ/ (US) · /wˈɪsəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/whistle
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the instrument

noun · CEFR A2

a small tool that you blow into to make a loud, high sound.

For teachers: a small instrument designed to produce a shrill, high-pitched sound when air or steam is forced through it.

- The referee blew his whistle to stop the game after a foul.
- The coach kept a silver whistle around his neck to signal the start of each training drill across the noisy field.

### 2. the sound

noun · CEFR A2

the high-pitched sound made by blowing air through your lips or a tool.

For teachers: a shrill, high-frequency sound produced by whistling or by a mechanical device.

- He gave a long, low whistle when he saw the expensive new car.
- The sharp whistle of the kettle interrupted their conversation, signaling that the water had finally reached a boil.

### 3. to make the sound

verb · CEFR A2

to make a high sound by blowing air through your lips.

For teachers: to produce a shrill, musical, or signaling sound by forcing breath through a small orifice formed by the lips.

- She began to whistle a happy tune while she worked in the garden.
- He would often whistle absentmindedly while walking, a habit that his colleagues found both charming and slightly distracting during quiet mornings.

### 4. to move quickly with a sound

verb · CEFR B2

to move very fast through the air with a high-pitched noise.

For teachers: to move rapidly through the air or a narrow opening while producing a characteristic high-pitched sound.

- The wind started to whistle through the gaps in the old windows.
- The winter gale began to whistle through the mountain pass, making a haunting sound that echoed against the frozen rock faces.

### 5. a suit of clothes

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang · Dialect

a set of matching clothes, like a jacket and trousers.

For teachers: a suit of clothes; derived from the Cockney rhyming slang 'whistle and flute'.

- He wore his best whistle to the wedding.
- He turned up to the interview in a sharp new whistle, hoping the professional appearance would compensate for his lack of experience.

Teaching tip: This is specific to London Cockney rhyming slang; most English speakers outside the UK will not understand it.

## Examples

- The referee blew his whistle to end the game.
- The train gave a long, loud whistle as it pulled out of the station and headed north.
- The sudden, piercing whistle of the kettle interrupted their conversation, signaling that the water had finally reached a rolling boil.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.