Meaning & Definition of word "Whale"
to
Whale
/weɪl/
noun:
- 1. A very large marine mammal belonging to the order Cetacea, which includes both whales and dolphins, characterized by breathing air through a blowhole.
- Example: The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever existed.
- 2. Any of various species of large aquatic mammals that are known for their intelligence and social behavior.
- Example: Scientists are still learning about the complex social structures of orcas, also known as killer whales.
- 3. A person or thing of immense size or importance.
- Example: He is a whale in the business world, making multi-million dollar deals.
verb:
- 1. To hunt or catch whales.
- Example: Whalers used to sail the oceans in search of the great leviathans.
- 2. To move or act with strength, especially in a powerful manner.
- Example: The team whaled on their rivals, securing a strong victory.
Etymology
From Old English 'hwæl', related to Dutch 'walvis' and German 'Walfisch'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
whale of a time:
A very enjoyable time.
white whale:
An obsession or something one pursues obsessively despite repeated failures.
Related Words
cetacean:
A member of the order Cetacea, which includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
marine mammal:
A mammal that is primarily adapted to life in the ocean.
Slang Meanings of whale
Meaning: A person who spends a great deal of money in a casino.
Example Sentence: He’s a whale at the poker table, always betting big.
Meaning: To do something in a huge, overwhelming way.
Example Sentence: They decided to whale the project out before the deadline.