whistle

Everyday

1. A whistle is a small object you blow into to make a loud, high sound. tree →
2. A whistle is the high sound made by blowing through a small gap or by a kettle, a bird or the wind. tree →
3. To whistle means to make a tune or high sound by blowing air through your lips or a whistle. tree →

In the lessons

In sport and PE, a referee blows a whistle to start and stop games. In safety, a whistle is a great thing to carry when hiking or camping: three blasts is a signal for help, and lifejackets often have a whistle. In science, a whistle makes sound by making air vibrate, and a kettle whistles when water boils. In everyday life people whistle a tune or whistle for a dog. Phrase: «blow the whistle» means tell people about something wrong.

Examples

• The referee blew the whistle for half-time. tree →
• Can you whistle a tune? tree →
• He whistled for his dog to come back. tree →
• Three blasts on a whistle means you need help. tree →
• The kettle whistled when the water boiled. tree →
• The wind whistled through the trees. tree →
• Our lifejackets each have a whistle. tree →
• Whereupon he went off indoors, whistling cheerfully. tree →

Note

The «t» is silent: say «WIS-ul». Regular verb: whistled, whistling. Countable noun. «Whistle-blower» = someone who reports wrongdoing. «Clean as a whistle» = very clean.

In Jewish tradition

In sport and PE, a referee blows a whistle to start and stop games. In safety, a whistle is a great thing to carry when hiking or camping: three blasts is a signal for help, and lifejackets often have a whistle. In science, a whistle makes sound by making air vibrate, and a kettle whistles when water boils. In everyday life people whistle a tune or whistle for a dog. Phrase: «blow the whistle» means tell people about something wrong.

Note

The «t» is silent: say «WIS-ul». Regular verb: whistled, whistling. Countable noun. «Whistle-blower» = someone who reports wrongdoing. «Clean as a whistle» = very clean.