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Definition of pennywhistle

pennywhistle

/ˈpɛn.iˌwɪs.əl/
pen · ny · whis · tle
Plural:pennywhistles
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pennywhistle Lexical Profile

pennywhistle Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, inexpensive six-holed fipple flute typically made of metal or plastic, widely used in traditional Irish, Scottish, and South African kwela music.

Example

"The folk band featured a lively melody played on a traditional tin pennywhistle."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for pennywhistle

• Nearby Words

pennsylvania garter snake
pennsylvanian
penny
pennywhistle
pennywise
pennywort
pennyworth

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-19th-century Britain from penny and whistle, as street musicians and children commonly purchased these inexpensive tin flutes for a single penny.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pennywhistle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pennywhistle
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