Phrase guide

have a whale of a time

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To enjoy oneself greatly: to have a very good time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • We had a whale of a time at the party Saturday night.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: have a ball

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: have a good time

History

Etymology

Compare whale (“something or someone excellent”); thus, not just any good time but rather a great time.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: pitää hauskaa — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • French: s'amuser comme un petit fou — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • French: s'éclater — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Hungarian: nagyon/borzasztóan jól érzi magát — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Hungarian: remekül/ragyogóan érzi magát — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Hungarian: remekül szórakozik — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Icelandic: skemmta sér konunglega — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Japanese: 堪能する (tannō suru) — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Japanese: 満喫する (mankitsu suru) — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Polish: bardzo dobrze się bawić — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Spanish: pasarlo la mar de bien — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Spanish: disfrutar como un enano — to enjoy oneself greatly
  • Spanish: pasarlo pipa — to enjoy oneself greatly