Reading Theme:
Whistle: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：make a whistle sound (whistle)
whistle
/ˈwɪsl/
v./n.
to make a high sound by blowing air through your lips, or to use a small tube to make a loud sound for signaling.
make a whistle sound
➕
/meɪk ə ˈwɪsl saʊnd/
v./n.
The act of producing a clear, high-pitched sound by forcing air through a small opening, either by pursing one's lips or by blowing into a small tube-shaped instrument.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Derived from Old English 'hwistlian' (to whistle), which is of imitative origin, mimicking the sound itself.
💡 Mnemonic
Whistle and listen: both end with 'tle' and are related to sound. You whistle to make a sound, and you listen to hear it.
📖 Example
The referee whistled loudly to signal the start of the match.
The referee made a loud whistle sound to indicate the beginning of the game.
🔗 Collocations
whistle a tune – to produce a melody by whistling
whistle for attention – to whistle in order to get someone to notice you
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
to remain silent (v. phrase) – to make no sound at all
to muffle (v.) – to deaden or reduce the sound of something
🌱 Derivatives
whistler (n.) – a person who whistles, especially skillfully
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'whistle' has ancient roots, likely originating as an onomatopoeia to mimic the sound of air passing through lips or a small tube. Historically, whistles have been used across cultures for signaling, communication, and music. In modern English-speaking cultures, a referee's whistle is a powerful symbol in sports, instantly commanding attention and signifying a stoppage of play. The phrase 'blow the whistle' metaphorically means to expose wrongdoing.
Meaning 2：a small sound-making tube (whistle)
whistle
/ˈwɪsl/
v./n.
a small tube that you blow into to make a loud, high sound, often used by referees, coaches, or police officers.
a small sound-making tube
➕
/ə smɔːl saʊnd-ˈmeɪkɪŋ tjuːb/
v./n.
A small device, typically a tube, that produces a loud, high-pitched sound when air is blown through it, commonly used for giving signals or commands.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The coach always wears a silver whistle around his neck during practice.
During training sessions, the coach consistently has a silver whistle hanging from a cord on his neck.
🔗 Collocations
safety whistle – a whistle carried for emergencies to attract help
blow the whistle – to use a whistle to make a sound; idiomatically, to report illegal or unacceptable activities
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
whistle-stop (adj.) – involving brief stops in several places, like a political campaign tour
Wordbook
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