any of the larger marine mammals of the order Cetacea, especially as distinguished from the smaller dolphins and porpoises, having a fishlike body, forelimbs modified into flippers, and a head that is horizontally flattened, something big, great, or fine of its kind

a whale of a time, to be a whale, white whale

Formal and Informal Expressions of whales

In different contexts, you can replace 'whales' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'cetacean' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'big fish' is a commonplace synonym.

whales: Explore its Definition & Usage

whales Definition

1any of the larger marine mammals of the order Cetacea, especially as distinguished from the smaller dolphins and porpoises, having a fishlike body, forelimbs modified into flippers, and a head that is horizontally flattened
2something big, great, or fine of its kind

Using whales: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "whales" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The blue whale is the largest animal on earth.
Example
Whales are known for their songs and vocalizations.
Example
The whaling industry has caused a significant decline in whale populations.

whales Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for whales

cetacean
orca
baleen whale
toothed whale
sperm whale

Phrases with whales

a whale of a time
a very enjoyable or exciting experience
Example
We had a whale of a time at the amusement park.
to be a whale
to be an important or influential person
Example
He's a whale in the tech industry.
white whale
a rare, elusive, or highly valued object or goal
Example
For years, he searched for the perfect vintage car, his white whale.

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Summary: whales in Brief

Whales [hweylz, weylz] are large marine mammals with a fishlike body, flippers, and a horizontally flattened head. They are known for their songs and vocalizations, but have suffered a significant decline in population due to whaling. The phrase 'a whale of a time' refers to a very enjoyable experience, while 'to be a whale' means to be an important person.