whisper

[ hwis-per, wis-per ]

/ ˈʰwɪs pər, ˈwɪs pər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR whisper ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for whisper

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
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
“Lilly… Ledbetter…” we whisper to ourselves as we frown at men.
Getting to Know the ‘Beyoncé Voter’|Kelly Williams Brown|July 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A woman came up to whisper about a case of public corruption.
A Woman Blogger’s Scoop Helped Save Tunisia From Islamists|Thomas A. Bass|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He could sink it to a whisper and still be audible, while in open-air meetings he could easily make himself heard by thousands.
Successful Methods of Public Speaking|Grenville Kleiser
"A lazy man always hez the most trouble," said Shif'less Sol in a whisper to the others.
The Riflemen of the Ohio|Joseph A. Altsheler
“Here we are,” said Kenneth, in a whisper, as the light now shone down upon them.
Three Boys|George Manville Fenn
The night breeze seemed to whisper this, as they rustled in the ravine below; strange voices muttered it in his ears.
A Country Sweetheart|Dora Russell
The chorus of hidden men by the fire rose in a low murmur that was like the whisper of the desert in the night.
The Garden Of Allah|Robert Hichens

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

Word Origin and History for whisper

whisper

Old English hwisprian "speak very softly" (only in a Northumbrian gloss for Latin murmurare), from Proto-Germanic *khwis- (cf. Middle Dutch wispelen, Old High German hwispalon, German wispeln, wispern, Old Norse hviskra "to whisper"), imitative and probably related to Old English hwistlian "to whistle." Related: Whispered; whispering. The noun is from 1590s.

Idioms and Phrases with whisper

whisper

see stage whisper.

whisper

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of whisper

Examples from the Web for whisper

whisper

verb

noun

Word Origin for whisper

whisper

whisper