whispering

[hwis-per-ing, wis-]

noun

1. whispered talk or conversation.

2. rumor, hearsay, or gossip.

3. a whispered sound.

adjective

1. that whispers; making a sound like a whisper.

2. like a whisper.

3. given to whispering; gossipy.

4. conversing in whispers.

Other Word Forms

• whisperingly adverb
• half-whisperingly adverb
• unwhispering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of whispering¹

before 1000; Middle English (noun), Old English hwisprunge. See whisper, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

At a rehearsal of the season’s opening concert before our interview, I noted a few workers whispering with each other about 30 yards from stage.

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It’s the market whispering what headlines haven’t caught up to: The next phase of this credit cycle may have already begun.

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"He gave Melanie a hug and then Melanie had a minute with him, talking to him, but she was whispering in his ear," he said.

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Senior Chinese diplomats are reportedly whispering sweet nothings in Indian ears.

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For me, more than anything, it was anxiety whispering in my ear: Do you want to spend four days preparing for the chance that you’ll just embarrass yourself?

Read more on Salon