Learn English – Describe the whistle one makes when surprised

single-word-requests

There are many ways that a person might whistle. I'm searching for a word that describes the slow, contemplative whistle that one might make when digesting new and surprising information.

Is there a better way to describe that whistle that is "slow, contemplative"?

Best Answer

I single word that describes that whistling sound might not exist, but interjections or exclamations like "whew" as proposed by @Josh61 or the similar "phew" might come close

phew

exclamation

a breathy, almost whistling sound used variously to express a sense of relief or to express surprise, disgust, etc.
Collins Dictionary

The Oxford Learner's Dictionary uses the following phrase as an example of whistle

He gave a low long whistle of surprise.
Oxford Learner's Dictionary

You could say long or prolonged whistle, as in "let out a prolonged whistle of admiration."

prolonged

adjective

Continuing for a long time or longer than usual; lengthy
OED

Here's an example in a book about golf

One of the caddies gave a prolonged whistle of surprise and admiration. Who was this new, unknown, and infinitely mild-looking champion who made the club hum through the air like a hornet?
Google Books: The Greatest Golf Stories Ever Told By Jeff Silverman

Google Books Ngram Viewer shows an idiomatic construct of the form "adjective whistle of noun." The two most common phrases are "low whistle of surprise" and "low whistle of appreciation."

The most common adjectives according to Google Books Ngram are low and long, both were used in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary example

  • low
  • long
  • slow
  • prolonged

the most common noun is the one you are looking for, and the one used in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary example, surprise

  • surprise
  • appreciation
  • admiration
  • amazement
  • astonishment
  • dismay
  • incredulity

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