whispering

American  

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

noun

1. whispered talk or conversation.

2. rumor, hearsay, or gossip.

3. a whispered sound.

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adjective

1. that whispers; making a sound like a whisper.

2. like a whisper.

3. given to whispering; gossipy.

4. conversing in whispers.

Other Word Forms

• half-whisperingly
  adverb
• unwhispering
  adjective
• whisperingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of whispering

before 1000; Middle English (noun), Old English hwisprunge. See whisper, -ing ², -ing ¹

Explanation

Whispering is what you do when you speak so softly that you can barely be heard. Most teachers have a rule that there's no whispering allowed while the class is taking a test. Whispering involves using your breath, rather than your vocal cords, to speak very quietly. You might hear whispering in the quiet section of the library or during a play or movie — it's used for communicating secrets or simply to avoid bothering other people. The word can also be used as an adjective for sounds that resemble a whisper, like the whispering wind through the trees on a breezy day.

Example Sentences

"The Whispering Dark" is that book, a dark academia that transports the reader to fictional Godbole University where Delaney Meyers-Petrov is new, recently accepted into a program that trains students to move between parallel worlds.

From Salon • Dec. 10, 2022

His building was more than a 100 years old and home to several businesses including the Whispering Hills Market, Stuck Junction Saloon, and The Attic, an event venue.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 29, 2022

The accompanying album, Whispering Jack, is the biggest seller by an Australian artist in the nation's history.

From BBC • Aug. 23, 2022

Whispering to each other like prisoners in tiny cells, we agreed we would rather be discovered than hide out in the bathroom all morning.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2022

"I rode beside Robb Stark in the Whispering Wood," he muttered.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin