whispering
- that whispers; making a sound like a whisper.
- like a whisper.
- given to whispering; gossipy.
- conversing in whispers.
Origin of whispering
whisper
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Origin of whisper
Examples from the Web for whispering
Contemporary Examples of whispering
Whispering to himself and bowing, he touches his forehead to the ground.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban ValleyMatt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman
November 15, 2014
The budget is a mess and officials in Trenton are whispering about a state takeover of the city's finances.
The Leak of a Mysterious Video Could Change the Outcome of Newark’s Mayor’s RaceCharles Upton Sahm
May 5, 2014
The World Wide Web is whispering that it's actually a reference to Avril Lavigne's own, well, “kitty.”
Avril Lavigne’s Dumb ‘Hello Kitty’ Video Is Rife with Cultural AppropriationAmy Zimmerman
April 25, 2014
I studied them to see if they were whispering to each other, to talk about what to do.
Bonus—read his A Time of Gifts about his walk across Europe in 1933-1934 before a whispering fire.
My Favorite Books of 2013: Jill Lepore, Adelle Waldman, James Salter & MoreLucas Wittmann
December 15, 2013
Historical Examples of whispering
Already the inward monitor was whispering to her, "Arise, flee for your life!"
Harriet, The Moses of Her PeopleSarah H. Bradford
I could not refrain from whispering, "Don't cry—I am alive."
Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
The sergeant was already there, whispering to Colonel Winchester.
The Rock of ChickamaugaJoseph A. Altsheler
Suddenly there was a hum and a stir and a buzz of whispering in the room.
The Gentleman From IndianaBooth Tarkington
Memories of the past are whispering to him: 'Choose the flower.
The Gentleman From IndianaBooth Tarkington
whisper
- 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
- 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
Word Origin and History for whispering
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 whispering
whisper
see stage whisper.