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Whistle vs Whiffle - What's the difference?

whistle | whiffle |

In intransitive terms the difference between whistle and whiffle

is that whistle is to move in such a way as to create a whistling sound while whiffle is to waver, or shake, as if moved by gusts of wind; to shift, turn, or veer about.

In transitive terms the difference between whistle and whiffle

is that whistle is to send, signal, or call by a whistle while whiffle is to wave or shake quickly; to cause to whiffle.

As nouns the difference between whistle and whiffle

is that whistle is a device designed to be placed in the mouth in order, or driven by steam or otherwise, to make a whistling sound while whiffle is a short blow or gust.

As verbs the difference between whistle and whiffle

is that whistle is to make a shrill, high-pitched sound by forcing air through the mouth. To produce a whistling sound, restrictions to the flow of air are created using the teeth, tongue and lips while whiffle is to blow a short gust.

whistle

Noun

(en noun)
  • A device designed to be placed in the mouth in order, or driven by steam or otherwise, to make a whistling sound.
  • An act of whistling.
  • A shrill, high-pitched sound made by whistling.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=5 , passage=We expressed our readiness, and in ten minutes were in the station wagon, rolling rapidly down the long drive, for it was then after nine.
  • Any high-pitched sound similar to the sound made by whistling.
  • the whistle of the wind in the trees
  • (Cockney rhyming slang) A suit (from whistle and flute ).
  • * 2005 , Wally Payne, A Minority of One: A Monkey's Tale Continued
  • We soldiers changed into our No.1 dress uniforms, Sid into his best whistle and we set off for the church.
  • The mouth and throat; so called as being the organs of whistling.
  • * Walton
  • Let's drink the other cup to wet our whistles .

    Derived terms

    * bells and whistles * * it's not the whistle that pulls the train * wet one's whistle * whistle-blower * whistle pig * whistle-stop * whistle walk

    Verb

    (whistl)
  • (ambitransitive) To make a shrill, high-pitched sound by forcing air through the mouth. To produce a whistling sound, restrictions to the flow of air are created using the teeth, tongue and lips.
  • Never whistle at a funeral.
    She was whistling a happy tune.
  • To move in such a way as to create a whistling sound.
  • A bullet whistled past.
  • To send, signal, or call by a whistle.
  • * Addison
  • He chanced to miss his dog; we stood still till he had whistled him up.

    Derived terms

    * whistle Dixie * whistle in the dark * whistle past the graveyard

    See also

    * (wikipedia "whistle")

    whiffle

    English

    (whiffling)

    Alternative forms

    * wiffle

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A short blow or gust
  • (obsolete) Something small or insignificant; a trifle.
  • (obsolete) A fife or small flute.
  • (Douce)

    Verb

    (whiffl)
  • to blow a short gust
  • to waffle, talk aimlessly
  • (British) to waste time
  • to travel quickly, whizz, whistle, with an accompanying wind-like sound
  • (ornithology, of a bird) to descending rapidly from a height once the decision to land has been made, involving fast side-slipping first one way and then the other
  • To waver, or shake, as if moved by gusts of wind; to shift, turn, or veer about.
  • (Dampier)
  • To wave or shake quickly; to cause to whiffle.
  • To change from one opinion or course to another; to use evasions; to prevaricate; to be fickle.
  • * I. Watts
  • A person of whiffling and unsteady turn of mind cannot keep close to a point of controversy.
  • To disperse with, or as with, a whiff, or puff; to scatter.
  • Derived terms

    * wiffleball

    References