whales: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal; informal in metaphorical/extended uses.
Quick answer
What does “whales” mean?
Large marine mammals of the order Cetacea, characterized by their size, blowholes, and aquatic lifestyle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Large marine mammals of the order Cetacea, characterized by their size, blowholes, and aquatic lifestyle.
Used metaphorically to refer to something very large, important, or dominant in a field; also, in gambling/crypto contexts, a person or entity with extremely large holdings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The metaphorical phrase 'a whale of a time' is slightly more common in UK English.
Connotations
Equally positive/neutral for the animal. In business/gaming metaphors ('whale client'), connotations are context-dependent (powerful vs. exploitative).
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “whales” in a Sentence
[observe/watch/see] whales[protect/conserve/save] whales[hunt/spot/hear] whalesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “whales” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They went to Scotland to whale-watch.
- The documentary whaled on about conservation for hours.
American English
- We're planning to whale watch in Alaska.
- He whaled on his opponent in the debate.
adjective
British English
- The whale-watching trip was spectacular.
- It was a whale-sized portion of chips.
American English
- The whale-watching tour left at dawn.
- They faced a whale of a problem with the budget.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a major client or investor who spends/loses large sums (e.g., 'catering to the casino whales').
Academic
Used in marine biology, ecology, and conservation studies.
Everyday
Common in discussions about nature, documentaries, and wildlife tourism.
Technical
Specific to cetology (the study of cetaceans), with classifications like baleen vs. toothed whales.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “whales”
- Misspelling as 'wales' (the country).
- Using singular 'whale' when plural is more natural for general statements (e.g., 'Whales are mammals' not 'A whale is a mammal' in introductory contexts).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but rarely. 'To whale' can mean to hunt whales (archaic) or, informally, to strike repeatedly ('whale on someone'). The compound 'whale-watch' is more common.
All dolphins are a type of toothed whale (family Delphinidae within Odontoceti). In common usage, 'whale' often refers to the larger cetaceans, but scientifically, dolphins are a subset of whales.
It uses 'whale' as an intensifier meaning 'exceptionally large.' Thus, an exceptionally large amount of time implies a great, enjoyable experience.
No, 'whales' is spelled identically. However, related terms like 'whalebone' may be hyphenated differently.
Large marine mammals of the order Cetacea, characterized by their size, blowholes, and aquatic lifestyle.
Whales is usually neutral to formal; informal in metaphorical/extended uses. in register.
Whales: in British English it is pronounced /weɪlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /weɪlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a whale of a time (a great time)”
- “have a whale of a job (a very difficult task)”
- “big fish/whale (important person)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WHALES are so big, they could have a 'WAIL' of a tail – think of their loud songs and huge size.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIZE/IMPORTANCE IS BIGNESS (e.g., 'a whale of a problem'), NATURE IS A DOMAIN OF GIANTS.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'whale' typically refer to?