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whistle

n. · v.
US //ˈhwɪsəɫ// UK //wˈɪsəl// whis·tle
  1. 1 the instrument (n.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

    The referee blew his whistle to stop the game after a foul.

    Example

    The coach kept a silver whistle around his neck to signal the start of each training drill across the noisy field.
  2. 2 the sound (n.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

    He gave a long, low whistle when he saw the expensive new car.

    Example

    The sharp whistle of the kettle interrupted their conversation, signaling that the water had finally reached a boil.
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  1. 3 to make the sound (v.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

    She began to whistle a happy tune while she worked in the garden.

    Example

    He would often whistle absentmindedly while walking, a habit that his colleagues found both charming and slightly distracting during quiet mornings.
  2. 4 to move quickly with a sound (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

    The wind started to whistle through the gaps in the old windows.

    Example

    The winter gale began to whistle through the mountain pass, making a haunting sound that echoed against the frozen rock faces.
  3. 5 a suit of clothes (n.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Slang Dialect

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

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

    Example

    He wore his best whistle to the wedding.

    Example

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

    Teacher's tip

    This is specific to London Cockney rhyming slang; most English speakers outside the UK will not understand it.
Etymology 1

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

Etymology 2

From Middle English whistlen, from Old English hwistlan, hwistlian (“to whistle”), from Proto-West Germanic hwistlōn, from Proto-Germanic hwistlōną (“to make a hissing sound”). Cognate with Swedish vissla (“to whistle”), Icelandic hvísla (“to whisper”), Russian свистеть (svistetʹ, “to whistle”).

Idioms10 entries

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