whale

• Grand mammifère marin de l'ordre des cétacés, connu pour sa taille imposante et son habitat aquatique.

A large marine mammal of the order Cetacea, known for its size and aquatic habitat.

1. A2formal

   A very large marine mammal that breathes air through a blowhole and gives birth to live young.

   Baleine (mammifère marin)

   • We saw a whale breaching the surface of the ocean.
   • Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth.
   • Whales migrate thousands of miles every year.

2. Something very largeB2informal

   Used informally to describe something that is extremely large or impressive.

   Quelque chose de très grand

   • He caught a whale of a fish on his fishing trip.
   • That was a whale of a story she told us.
   • We had a whale of a time at the amusement park.

   Synonymesbehemothcolossusgianthulkleviathanmammothmonsterwhopper

• Verbe signifiant frapper violemment, battre ou donner des coups ; également utilisé familièrement pour indiquer qu'on fait quelque chose de manière excellente ou avec énergie.

A verb meaning to thrash, beat, or strike vigorously; also used informally to mean to excel or perform exceptionally well at something.

1. To thrash or beatB2informalamerican

   To strike or hit someone or something with great force.

   frapper violemment

   • He whaled on the punching bag until he was exhausted.
   • The boxer whaled his opponent with a series of powerful punches.
   • She whaled the table with her fist in frustration.

   Synonymesbatterbeatclobberfloghammerhitpoundpummelstrikethrash

2. To defeat soundlyB2informalamerican

   To defeat an opponent decisively in a competition or game.

   battre à plate couture

   • Our team whaled the competition in the championship game.
   • They whaled us in the debate last night.
   • The home team whaled the visitors 10-0.

   Synonymesbeatclobberdrubhammerpummelroutsmashthrashtrouncewallop