Meaning & Definition of word "Whale"

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    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.