n.
- a clear, high-pitched sound made by forcing breath through a small hole between partly closed lips, or between one's teeth.
▸any similar sound.
- an instrument used to produce such a sound, especially for giving a signal.
- Brit. informal a suit.
[from rhyming sl. whistle and flute.]
v.
- emit or produce a whistle.
▸produce (a tune) by whistling.
▸move rapidly through the air or a narrow opening with a whistling sound.
- blow a whistle.
-
(whistle for)
wish for or expect (something) in vain.
Phrase
- blow the whistle on
informal bring (an illicit activity) to an end by informing on the person responsible. -
(as)
clean as a whistle
extremely clean or clear. - whistle something down the wind
- let go or abandon something.
- archaic turn a trained hawk loose by casting it off with the wind.
- whistle in the dark
pretend to be unafraid.
Derivative
Etymology
OE (h)wistlian (v.), (h)wistle (n.), of Gmc origin; imitative.