whistling
Definition
Noun: 1. The act or sound of producing a clear, high-pitched tone by forcing breath through a small opening between one's lips or teeth, or by using a whistle. It refers to the action itself or the resulting sound, often used for signaling, attracting attention, or making music. 2. A similar high-pitched sound produced by something moving rapidly through the air or by steam/air escaping forcefully through a small opening. This describes a noise that resembles human whistling.
Usage and Examples
- As a signal or summons:
- The lifeguard's sharp whistling got everyone's attention.
- We knew the tea was ready when we heard the kettle's whistling.
- As a tuneful activity:
- He walked down the street, his happy whistling echoing between the buildings.
- Her constant whistling of that pop song is starting to drive me crazy.
- As a sound produced by fast movement or air:
- The whistling of the wind through the cracks in the old window was eerie.
- We heard the whistling of the arrow as it flew past our heads.
Advanced Usage
- "To be whistling in the dark": This idiom means to pretend to be cheerful or confident in a frightening or uncertain situation to hide one's fear.
- He said everything would be fine, but I think he was just whistling in the dark.
Variants and Related Words
- Whistle (verb/noun): The action or the device that produces the sound.
- He learned to whistle a complicated tune. (verb)
- The referee blew his whistle. (noun)
- Whistler (noun): A person or thing that whistles.
- She's an excellent whistler and can mimic bird calls.
Synonyms
- Shrill sound: Shriek, screech (for high-pitched, often unpleasant sounds like wind).
- Tuneful sound: Trilling, piping (for musical whistling).
- Signal: Blast, toot (specifically for a whistle instrument).
Related Phrases
- Whistling past the graveyard: Similar to "whistling in the dark," it means trying to stay cheerful in a dire situation to ward off fear.
- Their optimistic talk about the economy is like whistling past the graveyard.
Noun
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the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle
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the whistle signalled the end of the game
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the act of whistling a tune
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his cheerful whistling indicated that he enjoyed his work
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the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
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