wolf whistle
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
A two-note, high-pitched whistle made to express admiration of someone's (typically a woman's) physical appearance, especially in a way considered objectifying or rude.
The act or sound of such a whistle; also used metaphorically to describe any appreciative, often loud, vocal or non-verbal reaction to attractiveness.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with street harassment and a dated, sexist behaviour. Can be used self-reflexively or humorously in some contexts (e.g., describing a cartoon wolf's reaction). The focus is on the sound and the intention behind it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept and term are identical. The behaviour is perhaps more stereotypically associated with mid-20th century British and American construction workers.
Connotations
Universally negative when describing actual behaviour directed at a person. Seen as archaic, loutish, and objectifying.
Frequency
Usage as a noun ("give a wolf whistle") is more common than as a verb ("to wolf-whistle"). The term is less frequent in modern descriptive discourse about harassment, replaced by terms like 'catcalling'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone] + gives/lets out + a wolf whistle[Someone] + is wolf-whistled + atVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Wolf whistle and leer”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used. Could appear in discussions of workplace harassment policies.
Academic
Used in sociological, gender studies, or cultural history contexts to analyse sexist behaviour.
Everyday
Used to describe a specific, dated type of street harassment. Can be used humorously or ironically among friends.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The builders would wolf-whistle at any woman walking past the site.
- He was reprimanded for wolf-whistling at the new intern.
American English
- Some guys still think it's okay to wolf-whistle from their pickup trucks.
- The coach wolf-whistled to get the team's attention, but it came off all wrong.
adjective
British English
- He gave a wolf-whistle salute as she walked by.
- The documentary explored the wolf-whistle culture of the 1950s.
American English
- That wolf-whistle mentality is sadly not extinct.
- It was a wolf-whistle moment, but he kept his composure.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The man made a loud whistle. It was a wolf whistle.
- She does not like wolf whistles.
- He let out a low wolf whistle when she entered the room in her new dress.
- Wolf whistling is considered a form of harassment.
- The politician's speech was met with a sarcastic wolf whistle from the back of the crowd.
- Despite laws against it, wolf whistling from construction sites remains a problem in some cities.
- The film cleverly used the sound of a wolf whistle on the soundtrack to comment on the protagonist's newfound confidence.
- His attempt at a jovial wolf whistle was perceived as profoundly unprofessional in the office environment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cartoon WOLF (the animal) seeing someone and instinctively letting out a low, then high, WHISTLE of admiration.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN IS PREY / ADMIRATION IS AN INSTINCTUAL ANIMAL REACTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "вой волка" (wolf's howl). The action is whistling, not howling. The Russian equivalent is often "свистнуть вслед" или "отдать волчий свист" (the latter being a direct calque).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'wolf whistle' to describe any loud whistle (e.g., for a taxi). It has a specific amorous/leering connotation. Confusing the noun and verb forms (e.g., 'He wolf whistled' vs. 'He gave a wolf whistle').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these best describes a 'wolf whistle' in modern usage?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Overwhelmingly yes, as it is rooted in a tradition of men publicly evaluating women's appearance. It is very rarely directed at men.
Almost never when directed at a non-consenting stranger. It might be used in a jokey, consensual way between partners or friends, but the term itself carries negative connotations of objectification.
A wolf whistle is a specific type of catcall. Catcalling is the broader category of shouted comments, whistles, etc., while a wolf whistle refers specifically to the distinctive two-note whistle.
As a noun, it is typically two words: "wolf whistle". As a verb, it is often hyphenated: "to wolf-whistle".