whisper

[ hwis-per, wis-per ]

/ ˈʰwɪs pər, ˈwɪs pər /

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See synonyms for: whisper / whispered / whispering on Thesaurus.com

Definition of whisper

verb (used without object)

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

Phonetics. to produce utterance substituting breath for phonation.

to talk softly and privately (often implying gossip, slander, plotting, or the like): The king knew that the courtiers were whispering.

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

verb (used with object)

to utter with soft, low sounds, using the breath, lips, etc.: He whispered endearments to her.

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

to say or tell in a whisper; tell privately.

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

noun

the mode of utterance, or the voice, of a person who whispers: to speak in a whisper.

a word or remark uttered by whispering.

a rumor or insinuation: Whispers circulated about the affair.

a soft, rustling sound like a whisper: the whisper of leaves in the wind.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of whisper

before 950; Middle English whisperen (v.), Old English hwisprian; cognate with German wispern; akin to Old Norse hviskra to whisper, hvīsla to whistle. See whine

Words nearby whisper

whiskey sour, whisky, whisky-jack, whisky mac, Whisky Rebellion, whisper, whispered, whisperer, whispering, whispering campaign, whispering gallery

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use whisper in a sentence

The whispers have played out alongside long-running discussions about the lack of clear leadership on park issues, duplication of efforts and overhead among various Balboa Park groups and struggles to execute major park initiatives and projects.
Two Balboa Park Groups Are in Talks to Merge|Lisa Halverstadt|October 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego
During the summer, there were whispers among Parisian food circles and on social media of assault allegations involving Sekine.
Chef Behind Parisian New-Wave Hit Dersou Dies|Eileen W. Cho|September 29, 2020|Eater
There are whispers of McDonald’s locations that have breakfast buffets.
Fast-Food Buffets Are a Thing of the Past. Some Doubt They Ever Even Existed.|MM Carrigan|September 29, 2020|Eater
The whisper number, for example, calls for just 670,000 new jobs, about half of what economists expect.
Jittery investors eye today’s big jobs report as markets rebound from an epic sell-off|Bernhard Warner|September 4, 2020|Fortune

Once Greene and Lobb moved it into the symplectic world, the problem gave way with a whisper.
New Geometric Perspective Cracks Old Problem About Rectangles|Kevin Hartnett|June 25, 2020|Quanta Magazine
He speaks in a whisper, flanked by the two locals who set up the meeting.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The substitute nurse says to him in a stage whisper, “You know, the doctor says no vodka.”
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some residents took to the secret-sharing app Whisper to disclose their biggest fears.
‘I’m Flipping Out’: Dallas Residents’ Worst Ebola Fears|The Daily Beast|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Supporters of the Putin regime were pointed out in a whisper.
From Moscow to Queens, Down Sergei Dovlatov Way|Daniel Genis|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Darren was the kind of man who'd lug a sofa bed up three flights of stairs without a whisper of complaint.
Let Us Now Praise Famous Rednecks and Their Unjustly Unsung Kin|Allison Glock|August 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These words were uttered in a guarded whisper by a boy about seventeen years of age, to a great dog that stood by his side.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
The voice died out in a broken whisper, and two hot tears fell on Black Sheep's forehead.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
He saw the tips of the fir trees shimmer, and heard them whisper as the breeze turned their needles towards the light.
Three More John Silence Stories|Algernon Blackwood
"The angels don't whisper such blessed dreams to me," returned Dorothy, sadly.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
A voice came from somewhere, a voice asking somebody also in a whisper to put the lights out.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White

British Dictionary definitions for whisper

whisper

/ (ˈwɪspə) /

verb

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

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

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

(tr) to utter or suggest secretly or privatelyto whisper treason

noun

a low soft voiceto speak in a whisper

something uttered in such a voice

a low soft rustling sound

a trace or suspicion

informal a rumour or secret

Word Origin for whisper

Old English hwisprian; related to Old Norse hvīskra, Old High German hwispalōn, Dutch wispern

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with whisper

whisper

see stage whisper.

whisper

Definition of whisper

Origin of whisper

Words nearby whisper

Words related to whisper

How to use whisper in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for whisper

Word Origin for whisper

Other Idioms and Phrases with whisper