Meaning

A nocturnal insectivorous bird of North America (Antrostomus vociferus, syn. Caprimulgus vociferus), a type of nightjar, named after its characteristic call..

Definitions by Sense

1. A nocturnal insectivorous bird of North America (Antrostomus vociferus, syn. Caprimulgus vociferus), a type of nightjar, named after its characteristic call.
2. The distinctive call of the above bird.

Example Sentences

“Seems like I heard a whippoorwill callinʼ, and I thought to myself, Go on away from here, weʼll whip ole Will when we find him.”

The bird sang his whippoorwills all night.

From across the road a bird sang 'Whippoorwill, whippoorwill!'

Somewhere in the darkness a few cold-sounding frogs lamented the lost summer, and the bird which the Chippewa called muck-a-wiss sang whippoorwill.

For I'm sure 'tis a bird that now sings 'Whippoorwill, Whippoorwill, whippoorwill, whippoorwill, whippoorwill!'

Word Forms

• whippoorwills
• whip-poor-will
• whippowill
• whip-o-will
• whip-o'-will

Synonyms for whippoorwill

Related Words

When Should You Use Whippoorwill?

Use whippoorwill when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions