What does whiffle mean?
Whiffle most commonly denotes a lightweight plastic ball, generally fitted with holes, that is used instead of a regulation baseball in informal games. Its name became established in American English through baseball, where it also came to mean a weakly hit or slowly pitched ball. By extension, a “whiffle” could denote an inept or ineffective player, although that use is now dated and chiefly associated with baseball slang. As a verb, whiffle can describe pitching or striking a ball weakly and can also refer to a soft swishing sound or movement. The word has a playful, nostalgic quality: it evokes informal summer games rather than organized competition. Its modern sense is firmly established in North America, especially in the United States and Canada. For readers encountering it outside a baseball context, the perforated plastic ball is the most useful reference point, while the older figurative and verbal senses are uncommon.
A lightweight, usually perforated plastic ball used in place of a baseball in informal games. In older baseball usage, it also referred to a weakly struck or slowly pitched ball and, figuratively, an inept player.
"He brought a whiffle to the park so they could play after dinner."
The plastic-ball sense is standard and dominant in North American informal English. The sense meaning an inept player is dated baseball slang.
To pitch or hit a ball weakly, or to make or move with a soft swishing sound.
"The ball whiffled softly through the evening air."
Uncommon and chiefly associated with baseball descriptions or informal use.
The plural is used when referring to several separate balls; the word is more often used as a collective name for the ball or the game.
"The shop sells whiffles by the dozen."
A whiffle makes baseball possible on a summer afternoon—and calling an inept player a “whiffle” was once a baseball player’s harshest verdict.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does whiffle come from?
Whiffle developed in North American English in the early 20th century in connection with baseball. It belongs to an imitative family associated with whiff, an earlier word suggesting a light blow or swishing sound, and the longer form became especially associated with weak pitching, striking, and the lightweight ball.
Related word forms
How whiffle is actually used
Informal and chiefly North American. The plastic-ball sense is now dominant; the player sense is dated baseball slang, while the verb is uncommon outside descriptions of weak pitching or striking and soft, swishing movement.
Easily confused with whiffle
A whiff is a brief smell or a failed attempt to hit or catch something, whereas a whiffle is a light ball used in informal baseball.