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!)
“Poor little thing!” said Alice, in a coaxing tone, and she tried hard to whistle to it; but she was terribly frightened all the time at the thought that it might be hungry, in which case it would be very likely to eat her up in spite of all her coaxing.
“Anything you like,” said the Footman, and began whistling.
The young man gave a low whistle and his eyes flashed with a sudden thought.
Other matches
Learn whistle in real texts
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