whistle
/ˈwɪs(ə)l/ verb B2- To make a shrill, high-pitched sound by forcing air through the mouth. To produce a whistling sound, restrictions to the flow of air are created using the teeth, tongue and lips. · Never whistle at a funeral.· He was whistling a happy tune.
- To make a similar sound by forcing air through a musical instrument or a pipe etc. · The steam train whistled as it passed by.
- To move in such a way as to create a whistling sound. · A bullet whistled past.
- To send, signal, or call by a whistle.
- To request admission to Opus Dei, a Roman Catholic organization.
He/she/it whistles · Past whistled · Past participle whistled · -ing form whistling
Verb forms
- Base form
- whistle
- He/she/it
- whistles
- Past
- whistled
- Past participle
- whistled
- -ing form
- whistling
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
This whistle we made (and how clearly it sounds!)
He whistled and sounded his horn in vain; the straggler paid no attention to the summons.
There now came a sharp whistling in the air from the south, and as they turned their eyes that way they saw ripples in the grass coming from that direction also.
This made her angrier than before, and she blew her silver whistle twice.
Other matches
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