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

He raised his eyebrows, then said in a stage whisper: “Bob didn’t wear any underwear.”

From New York Times ● May 25, 2022

“I want to keep this about my music,” Frost’s Jackson says at one point, in that sly stage whisper.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 1, 2022

Obviously, don’t stage whisper “Is that all right with you?” to your hard-up friend every time your posse drifts towards a potential spot.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 17, 2019

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

Halsey lowered his voice to a stage whisper.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older