stage whisper

noun

1. a loud whisper on a stage, meant to be heard by the audience.
2. any whisper loud enough to be overheard.

stage whisper

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stage whisper¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

The substitute nurse says to him in a stage whisper, “You know, the doctor says no vodka.”

From The Daily Beast

But suddenly someone said in a stage whisper, “Police custody, one week!”

From The Daily Beast

"I 'm not going to say one word about it," said he, in a stage whisper that even the Knight himself overheard.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, I think I can manage them, Jerry returned in a confident stage whisper.

From Project Gutenberg

I leant forward as if imparting a secret of great importance, and said, in a stage whisper: "Germans!"

From Project Gutenberg

“Never mind, honey,” his imperturbable wife assured him in a stage whisper.

From Project Gutenberg

"Something horrid," said Anthony's younger sister to her elder in a stage whisper.

From Project Gutenberg