whig: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, historical, academic
Quick answer
What does “whig” mean?
A member of a British political party (c. 1679–1859) that sought to limit royal power and increase parliamentary authority, or an American political party (c.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a British political party (c. 1679–1859) that sought to limit royal power and increase parliamentary authority, or an American political party (c. 1834–1855) opposed to the Democrats.
A person who supports progressive or liberal policies, especially in historical contexts; used to denote principled opposition to autocratic rule. The term is sometimes used more loosely to mean a nonconformist or someone who opposes tyranny.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'Whig' refers to the pre-19th/early 19th century political party. In American English, it refers to the political party active from the 1830s to the 1850s. The British Whigs were precursors to the Liberal Party; the American Whigs were a major party opposed to the Democrats.
Connotations
Both usages carry connotations of historical political reform, opposition to executive overreach, and a degree of elitism. The term is neutral-to-positive in academic history but is anachronistic in contemporary use.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, limited to historical and political science texts. Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “whig” in a Sentence
the Whigs [plural subject] + past tense verba Whig + nounsupporter of the WhigsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “whig” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Whig politician gave a famous speech on reform.
- She holds a Whig interpretation of constitutional history.
American English
- He was a Whig candidate for Congress in 1848.
- The newspaper's editorial stance was traditionally Whig.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Common in historical and political science texts discussing 17th-19th century British politics or pre-Civil War American politics.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a precise term for specific historical political factions and in the term 'Whig history'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “whig”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “whig”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “whig”
- Using 'Whig' to refer to a modern political party (e.g., the UK Liberal Democrats).
- Confusing American Whigs with the modern Republican Party (they are distinct).
- Misspelling as 'wig' (the hairpiece).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the historical British and American Whig parties are defunct. The name is not used by any major modern political party.
Historically, Whigs generally supported constitutional monarchy, parliamentary supremacy, and reform. Tories generally supported a stronger monarchy, the established Anglican Church, and traditional social structures.
No, 'Whig' is not used as a verb in standard English. It functions only as a noun (a member of the party) or a historical adjective.
The origin is uncertain but likely from 'whiggamor', a Scottish term for a cattle driver, used as a derogatory nickname for Scottish Presbyterians and later for the political faction. The 'h' distinguishes it from 'wig' (hairpiece).
A member of a British political party (c. 1679–1859) that sought to limit royal power and increase parliamentary authority, or an American political party (c.
Whig is usually formal, historical, academic in register.
Whig: in British English it is pronounced /wɪɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /wɪɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Whig history (a historiographical term for viewing history as inevitable progress)”
- “on the Whig side of the argument”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WIG on a judge. Whigs wanted the 'rule of law' (Parliament/judges) over the 'rule of a head' (the King). The 'h' in Whig is silent, like the 'h' in the history they are part of.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL PROGRESS IS A JOURNEY FORWARD (Whigs were seen as driving progress). OPPOSITION TO TYRANNY IS BEING A WHIG.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Whig history'?