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

Example Sentences

As I headed home, the hum of Lankershim and the neon blur of bars couldn’t drown out the quiet, unmistakable voice inside me whispering, “I think I just met my future husband.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Investors are betting that objective symbiosis and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s skilled Trump whispering will renew the pact with minimal changes.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

Jones said McSweeney was perceived "by a lot of MPs as the power behind the throne" and "whispering into his ear".

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

She still laughs about it now, whispering to my dad back then, half-horrified, half-amused: “BYOM? They want us to schlep raw meat to their house. Is that… something people do?”

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2026

As I carry Ben’s tray toward the whispering trees, Grandma Sarah calls, “Good luck!”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith