stage whisper

noun

1. a loud whisper on a stage, meant to be heard by the audience.
2. any whisper loud enough to be overheard.

stage whisper

noun

1. a loud whisper from one actor to another onstage intended to be heard by the audience
2. any loud whisper that is intended to be overheard

Word History and Origins

Origin of stage whisper¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Idioms and Phrases

A whisper loud enough to be overheard, as in Our three-year-old behaved beautifully at the ceremony, but then he asked in a stage whisper, “Why does that lady have blue hair?” This expression alludes to an actor's whisper on stage, which is meant to be heard by the audience. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

It’s things like consistently scheduling events on dates when I said I couldn’t make it, stage whispers with other colleagues about upcoming plans when I’m right there, among other slights.

From New York Times

And she said” — his voice dropped to a stage whisper — “‘He’s going to be very big.’”

From New York Times

A Republican official in a “deep-red county,” he recounts, his voice dropping to a stage whisper, told him, “You have no idea how many Republicans are going to quietly vote for you.”

From New York Times

When I asked her about it, at first, she leaned over in a stage whisper: “Women are better than men,” she said.

From Washington Post

Then, spying me, the group races off ahead of us, amid stage whispers of “It’s him!” and “Link’s here!”

From Literature