susurration

American  

[soo-suh-rey-shuhn] / ˌsu səˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a soft murmur; whisper.

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Etymology

Origin of susurration

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin susurrātiōn- (stem of susurrātiō ), equivalent to susurrāt(us) (past participle of susurrāre; see susurrus, -ate ¹) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

The delicate-sounding word susurration comes by its gentleness naturally — it’s a very soft whispering sound that can barely be heard. Susurration is a sound made with very little stirring of the vocal cords, resulting in the softest of sounds. The effect is as soft and calming as the word itself. This word is onomatopoeic, meaning it sounds like what it means: a susurration creates a sense of soft sound swirling around your ears pleasantly. This is the opposite of words like racket and cacophony — loud, unpleasant noises. A susurration is so soft you might not even notice it at all.

Example Sentences

The soothing susurration of a thickly wooded forest calls to Van Pelt.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 1, 2023

The Armenian-American composer Mary Kouyoumdjian’s “I Haven’t the Words” was a restless, questioning susurration precipitated by the tumults of 2020, including the pandemic lockdowns and George Floyd’s murder.

From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2023

I like the susurration of that middle line, and the sly nod to the capital city in the last one.

From Washington Post • Mar. 27, 2022

Prum thinks that long ago, an earlier version of the bird’s courtship dance incidentally produced a feathery susurration.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2019

And when we are kneeling, heads bowed slightly, I can hear from all around us a susurration, like the rustling of insects in tall dry grass: a cloud of whispers.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood