whistler: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-frequency wordNeutral, can be informal or technical depending on context.
Quick answer
What does “whistler” mean?
A person who whistles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who whistles.
A person who whistles; an animal, especially a bird, known for its whistling call; something that produces a whistling sound, such as a kettle or a radio atmospheric phenomenon.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The bird 'whistler' is more common in Commonwealth/UK ornithology (e.g., Golden Whistler). In the US, colloquially refers to someone adept at whistling.
Connotations
Generally neutral. 'The Whistler' can refer to a famous series of British radio thrillers or an American comic book/movie character, carrying cultural baggage.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “whistler” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a good whistler.The [animal/bird] known as a whistler.A whistler of [tunes/songs].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “whistler” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The chap was whistling a merry tune.
- Stop whistling in the library, please.
American English
- He was whistling while he worked.
- She whistled for a cab.
adverb
British English
- He walked away whistling cheerfully.
- The wind blew whistling through the trees.
American English
- She left the room whistling softly.
- The bullet flew whistling past his ear.
adjective
British English
- The whistling kettle is ready.
- We heard a whistling sound from the engine.
American English
- The whistling tea kettle boiled.
- A whistling noise came from the pipes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Possibly in entertainment business: 'We hired a professional whistler for the advert.'
Academic
Used in ornithology and physics/atmospheric science. 'The study focused on the migratory patterns of the Rufous Whistler.' 'The VLF receiver detected a whistler.'
Everyday
Refers to a person. 'My grandad was a fantastic whistler; he could whistle entire symphonies.'
Technical
Physics: A very low frequency electromagnetic wave generated by lightning. Ornithology: A bird of the family Pachycephalidae.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “whistler”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “whistler”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “whistler”
- Misspelling as 'whisler' or 'whistle'.
- Confusing 'whistler' (person/thing) with 'whistleblower' (informer).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency word. It's most common in specific contexts like birdwatching or as an informal descriptor for a person who whistles well.
Yes. It commonly refers to certain birds (e.g., the Golden Whistler) and, in physics, to a type of very low frequency radio wave caused by lightning.
A 'whistler' typically implies a degree of skill, habit, or notoriety in whistling, whereas 'someone who whistles' is a more general description of the action.
A long-running American radio mystery series (1942-1955) titled 'The Whistler', known for its haunting theme whistle and twist endings.
A person who whistles.
Whistler is usually neutral, can be informal or technical depending on context. in register.
Whistler: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɪs.lər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɪs.lɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To put (or set) the cat among the pigeons/whistlers (UK variant, rare).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'whistle' + '-er' (a person/thing that does something). Like a 'baker' bakes, a 'whistler' whistles.
Conceptual Metaphor
WHISTLING IS PRODUCING A HIGH, CLEAR SOUND; A WHISTLER IS A SOURCE OF A PURE TONE.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'whistler' a technical term?