Pronunciation: /ˈwɪsəl/

Definitions of whistle

noun a small device that makes a high-pitched sound when blown into, typically used for signaling or as a musical instrument

Example Sentences

A1 I heard a whistle coming from the kitchen.

A2 The referee blew the whistle to start the game.

B1 She used a whistle to call her dog back to her.

B2 The lifeguard's whistle alerted swimmers to get out of the water.

C1 The coach's whistle could be heard echoing across the field.

C2 The orchestra conductor used a whistle to signal the musicians to start playing.

verb to make a high-pitched sound by forcing breath through a small hole or by blowing into a small device

Example Sentences

A1 She whistles while she works.

A2 He whistled a tune as he walked down the street.

B1 The referee whistled to signal the end of the game.

B2 The hiker whistled to scare away the bears in the woods.

C1 The musician whistled a complex melody during the concert.

C2 The coach whistled to get the attention of the players on the field.

Examples of whistle in a Sentence

formal The referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the match.

informal I can whistle really loudly, want to hear?

slang She's always whistling a tune while she works.

figurative The wind made the trees whistle in the night.

Grammatical Forms of whistle

past tense

whistled

plural

whistles

comparative

more whistling

superlative

most whistling

present tense

whistle

future tense

will whistle

perfect tense

have whistled

continuous tense

is whistling

singular

whistle

positive degree

whistle

infinitive

to whistle

gerund

whistling

participle

whistling

Origin and Evolution of whistle

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'whistle' originated from the Old English word 'hwistlian', which meant to make a whistling sound.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'whistle' has evolved to not only refer to the sound made by blowing air through pursed lips but also to objects like a whistle used for signaling or a whistle as a command to stop or pay attention.