whisper

American  

[hwis-per, wis-per] / ˈʰwɪs pər, ˈwɪs pər /

verb (used without object)

1. to speak with soft, hushed sounds, using the breath, lips, etc., but with no vibration of the vocal cords.

2. Phonetics. to produce utterance substituting breath for phonation.

3. to talk softly and privately (often implying gossip, slander, plotting, or the like).

   The king knew that the courtiers were whispering.

4. (of trees, water, breezes, etc.) to make a soft, rustling sound like that of whispering.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter with soft, low sounds, using the breath, lips, etc..

   He whispered endearments to her.

2. Phonetics. to utter (speech sounds) substituting breath for phonation.

3. to say or tell in a whisper; tell privately.

4. to speak to or tell (a person) in a whisper or privately.

noun

1. the mode of utterance, or the voice, of a person who whispers.

   to speak in a whisper.

2. a word or remark uttered by whispering.

3. a rumor or insinuation.

   Whispers circulated about the affair.

4. a soft, rustling sound like a whisper.

   the whisper of leaves in the wind.

whisper British  

/ ˈwɪspə /

verb

1. to speak or utter (something) in a soft hushed tone, esp without vibration of the vocal cords

2. (intr) to speak secretly or furtively, as in promoting intrigue, gossip, etc

3. (intr) (of leaves, trees, etc) to make a low soft rustling sound

4. (tr) to utter or suggest secretly or privately

   to whisper treason

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noun

1. a low soft voice

   to speak in a whisper

2. something uttered in such a voice

3. a low soft rustling sound

4. a trace or suspicion

5. informal a rumour or secret

whisper Idioms  

1. see stage whisper.

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Etymology

Origin of whisper

First recorded before 950; Middle English whisperen (verb), Old English hwisprian; akin to German wispern, Old Norse hviskra, hvīsla “to whistle”; whine

Explanation

Psst! When you speak very quietly, so that hardly anyone can hear, you're whispering, or speaking in a whisper. A whisper is the opposite of a shout. When teachers talk about using your outside voice (when you're outside) and your inside voice (for speaking normally), the whisper is even quieter than the inside voice. This word can apply to other sounds too: you could say the wind is whispering. Whispers really do sound a lot like "Psst psst psst" to anyone who can't hear the exact words. You're likely to hear a lot of whispering in the library.

Example Sentences

"I am very scared," said one student, their voice barely above a whisper.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

“That’s right, your shoulder’s coming down,” she said in her calming whisper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Pike perch tartare from Lake Oulujärvi rests on malt bread with capers and dill oil and a whisper of pine tar.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

What are the questions we might whisper to ourselves?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

She went on, almost forgetting in her excitement to keep her voice to a whisper, while I slowly took in the fact that she was talking about our guards.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• buzz
• confide
• hiss
• mumble
• murmur
• mutter
• sigh