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Swish vs Whistling - What's the difference?

swish | whistling |

As nouns the difference between swish and whistling

is that swish is a short rustling, hissing or whistling sound, often made by friction while whistling is a shrill, breathy sound; a whistle.

As verbs the difference between swish and whistling

is that swish is to make a rustling sound while moving while whistling is .

As an adjective swish

is (british|colloquial) sophisticated; fashionable; smooth.

swish

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • (British, colloquial) sophisticated; fashionable; smooth.
  • This restaurant looks very swish — it even has linen tablecloths.
  • Attractive, stylish
  • * 2014 , , " Southampton hammer eight past hapless Sunderland in barmy encounter", The Guardian , 18 October 2014:
  • The Saints, who started the day third in the table, went marching on thanks to their own swish play and some staggering defending by the visitors.
  • effeminate.
  • Noun

    (es)
  • A short rustling, hissing or whistling sound, often made by friction.
  • A sound of liquid flowing inside a container.
  • *1898 , , (Moonfleet) Chapter 4
  • *:There were four or five men in the vault already, and I could hear more coming down the passage, and guessed from their heavy footsteps that they were carrying burdens. There was a sound, too, of dumping kegs down on the ground, with a swish of liquor inside them, and then the noise of casks being moved.
  • A movement of an animal's tail
  • A twig or bundle of twigs, used for administering beatings; a switch
  • (basketball) A successful basketball shot that does not touch the rim or backboard.
  • An effeminate male homosexual.
  • Verb

    (es)
  • To make a rustling sound while moving.
  • The cane swishes .
  • To flourish with a swishing sound.
  • to swish a cane back and forth
    (Coleridge)
  • (transitive, slang, dated) To flog; to lash.
  • (Thackeray)
  • (basketball) To make a successful basketball shot that does not touch the rim or backboard.
  • (gay slang) To mince or otherwise to behave in an effeminate manner.
  • I shall not swish ; I'll merely act limp-wristed.

    whistling

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • A shrill, breathy sound; a whistle.