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”; cf. 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 had more trouble with voiceless consonants than voiced ones—one of the sample sentences for this type of SD reduced my voice to a whisper on nearly every syllable.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

Speaking in a strained whisper, the effect of a rare illness of the vocal cords, Page suggested that Hassabis’s company-building endeavors might be similarly pointless.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

He said she used "all of her remaining strength" in her final moments to whisper a message for daughter Maddie and him "that will sustain me for the rest of my life".

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

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

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Hannie shuffled up the bed, even closer to me, and lowered her voice to a whisper.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Related Words

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