What does whickered mean?
Whickered is a verb meaning to make a short, light, high-pitched sound, especially the squeak or chirp of a bird or another small animal. Its form is the past tense and past participle of the older verb whicker. In ordinary writing, the word is relatively uncommon but immediately recognizable: it describes a sound that is sharper and more delicate than a squawk and often suggests quick, repeated vocalizations from a small creature. A writer might use it instead of a broader term such as chirped or squeaked when the particular quality of the sound matters. The word is chiefly an English-language, onomatopoeic verb used in British and American writing. It is especially evocative when a bird or other small animal interrupts a scene with a brief, high note. Whickered is therefore useful less for complex meaning than for its vivid sound and descriptive force.
verbTo make a short, light, high-pitched squeaking or chirping sound, especially as a bird or small animal does.
- To make a short, light, high-pitched squeaking or chirping sound, especially as a bird or small animal does.
"A wren whickered from the hedgerow and vanished into the ivy."
"The wren whickered from the hedgerow and vanished into the ivy."
"The dog whickered softly and curled up beside its owner."
Whickered captures the tiny, high-pitched interruption that can make a small animal sound as though it is clearing its throat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of whickered
Whickered is the past tense and past participle of whicker. The base verb appeared in early modern English and is generally classed as an imitative formation, coined to represent a squeaking or high-pitched sound. It is not securely traceable to a classical root, so etymological cognates are not confidently identifiable.
Related word forms
How whickered is actually used
A somewhat literary and onomatopoeic verb, used chiefly for the high-pitched sounds of birds and small animals. It is more specific than a general term such as called and usually implies a brief, light sound.
Easily confused with whickered
Whiskering or whispering describes speech, whereas whickering describes a short, high-pitched squeak or chirp.