wolf whistle

noun

1. a wolf call made by whistling, often characterized by two sliding sounds, a peal up to a higher note and then one up to a lower note and down.
2. a similar whistle used by a man to express physical attraction to a woman.

wolf whistle

noun

1. a whistle made by a man to express admiration of a woman's appearance

verb

1. whenintr, sometimes foll by at to make such a whistle (at someone)

Word History and Origins

Origin of wolf whistle¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The cheeky bird would flatter passersby with a well-timed wolf whistle, Martin said.

From Los Angeles Times

In her unpublished memoir, “I Am More Than a Wolf Whistle: The Story of Carolyn Bryant Donham,” Bryant wrote that she pleaded with her husband and his brother not to hurt the boy.

From Washington Post

Also in 2022, the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting obtained a copy of Mrs. Bryant’s unpublished memoir, “I Am More Than a Wolf Whistle.”

From Washington Post

The contents of the 99-page manuscript, titled “I Am More Than a Wolf Whistle,” were first reported by the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting.

From Los Angeles Times

She was the 21-year-old white proprietress of the store where, according to her testimony in the September 1955 trial of her husband and brother-in-law for the murder, Till made a sexually suggestive remark, grabbed her roughly by the waist and let loose a wolf whistle.

From New York Times