stage whisper

American  

noun

1. a loud whisper on a stage, meant to be heard by the audience.

2. any whisper loud enough to be overheard.

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stage whisper British  

noun

1. a loud whisper from one actor to another onstage intended to be heard by the audience

2. any loud whisper that is intended to be overheard

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stage whisper Idioms  

1. A whisper loud enough to be overheard, as in Our three-year-old behaved beautifully at the ceremony, but then he asked in a stage whisper, “Why does that lady have blue hair?” This expression alludes to an actor's whisper on stage, which is meant to be heard by the audience. [Mid-1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of stage whisper

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stage whisper

In a stage whisper, Gerwig says, “Because we’re all going to die.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2023

Before sneaking upstairs as the last guests called cars, he turned and said in a stage whisper: “Shh. Don’t tell anyone.”

From New York Times ● Apr. 15, 2022

Because I can’t say,” she starts to stage whisper, “‘I’m actually an aac-tresss,’” and then cracks up laughing.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 26, 2018

Maul also took advantage of a particularly Tinseltown-esque fringe benefit: Universal Studios Hollywood employees can take free acting classes only a stage whisper away from the famous Universal Studios back lot.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 21, 2018

In a stage whisper, the old man asked, “Whyever is she blue?”

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor