whale

1 of 3

noun

ˈ(h)wāl 

plural whales

often attributive

1

or plural whale : any of various very large, aquatic, marine mammals (order Cetacea) that have a torpedo-shaped body with a thick layer of blubber, paddle-shaped forelimbs but no hind limbs, a horizontally flattened tail, and nostrils that open externally at the top of the head

also : cetacean see baleen whale, toothed whale

2

: one that is impressive especially in size

a whale of a difference

a whale of a good time

whalelike

ˈ(h)wāl-ˌlīk 

adjective

whale

2 of 3

verb (1)

whaled; whaling

intransitive verb

: to engage in whale fishing

whale

3 of 3

verb (2)

whaled; whaling

transitive verb

1

: lash, thrash

2

: to strike or hit vigorously

3

: to defeat soundly

Synonyms

Noun

• behemoth
• blockbuster
• colossus
• dinosaur
• dreadnought
• elephant
• giant
• Goliath
• jumbo
• leviathan
• mammoth
• mastodon
• monster
• titan
• whopper

Verb (2)

• bang
• bash
• bat
• belt
• biff
• bludgeon
• bob
• bonk
• bop
• box
• bust
• clap
• clip
• clobber
• clock
• clout
• crack
• hammer
• hit
• knock
• nail
• paste
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slog
• slug
• smack
• smite
• sock
• strike
• swat
• swipe
• tag
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• whack
• zap

Examples of whale in a Sentence

Noun

a whale of a pickup truck

Verb (2)

whaled the ball so hard that it sailed over the fence and into the neighbor's yard

whaled the rug with a broom to knock the dirt out of it

mercilessly whaled the pickpocket for stealing from her purse

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Most of today’s longevity estimates are probably skewed by an overrepresentation of younger whales, the team writes in the paper. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024

Our little guys played with cute stuffed whales, ate homemade Madelines, and drank apple juice while our dedicated concierge collected our passport information. —Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024

State of play: Whale response teams are monitoring the whales and could attempt a rescue if conditions allow. —Mike Deehan, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024

See dolphins or whales on a boat tour One of the most awe-inspiring experiences happens from December through February when the coastal Virginia waters become a playground for migrating humpback whales. —AFAR Media, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hwæl; akin to Old High German hwal whale and perhaps to Latin squalus sea fish

Verb (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1700, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing whale

• Antarctic minke whale
• a whale of a time
• baleen whale
• beaked whale
• blue whale
• bowhead whale
• common minke whale
• fin whale
• gray whale
• great white whale
• killer whale
• minke whale
• northern minke whale
• pilot whale
• right whale
• sei whale
• southern minke whale
• sperm whale
• toothed whale
• whalebone whale
• whale shark
• whale watch
• white whale

Kids Definition

whale

1 of 3 noun

ˈhwā(ə)l 

ˈwā(ə)l

plural whales or whale

1

: a water-dwelling mammal (as a humpback whale or a killer whale) that is a cetacean of usually very large size with a torpedo-shaped body, front limbs modified into flippers but no hind limbs, and a tail flattened and extended to the sides as flukes and that usually breathes through an opening on top of the head compare baleen whale, toothed whale

2

: something large enough to catch attention

it made a whale of a difference

whale

2 of 3 verb

whaled; whaling

: to hunt whales

whale

3 of 3 verb

whaled; whaling

1

: thrash sense 2a

2

: to hit hard

whaled the ball

Etymology

Noun

Old English hwæl "whale"

Verb

origin unknown