WordGarden.iowhish
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈɪʃ/
US
- /wˈɪʃ/
Meanings
Verb
to move with a soft rushing or swishing sound
Noun
a soft rushing or swishing sound
Beyond the definition
Think of a soft rushing or swishing sound, especially one made by quick movement through the air. A whish can be the sound itself, like the whish of tires on a wet road or a dress brushing past. It can also be a verb: something can whish by when it moves quickly with that light sound. The word often suggests speed, air, and a gentle hiss or swish rather than a loud noise.
The word "whish" describes a soft rushing, swishing, or lightly hissing sound. It is often used for something that moves quickly and makes a gentle sound as it passes through the air. For example, you might hear the whish of tires on wet pavement, the whish of clothing as someone turns, or the sound of something small speeding past you.
It can be used as a noun for the sound itself: "I heard a whish behind me." It can also be used as a verb: "The ball whished past my head." In this verb use, it means to move with a soft swishing or hissing sound. In some cases, it can also mean simply to make that kind of sound.
Compared with louder words like "whoosh," whish usually feels lighter and softer. It is not one of the most common everyday words, but it appears in descriptive writing when someone wants to show a quick, smooth movement and the quiet sound that goes with it.
Examples
- 1
Projectile motion
An arrow whished past his ear and disappeared into the trees.
- Usage
rare in everyday speech; more common in descriptive writing
- 2
Train movement
The train whished through the station without stopping.
- 3
Soft sound
She pulled the curtain aside with a soft whish.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- whishverb