whisper

[ hwis-per, wis-per ]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of whisper¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English whisperen (verb), Old English hwisprian; akin to German wispern, Old Norse hviskra, hvīsla “to whistle”; whine

Word History and Origins

Origin of whisper¹

Old English hwisprian; related to Old Norse hvīskra, Old High German hwispalōn, Dutch wispern

Idioms and Phrases

see stage whisper .

Example Sentences

He speaks in a whisper, flanked by the two locals who set up the meeting.

From The Daily Beast

The substitute nurse says to him in a stage whisper, “You know, the doctor says no vodka.”

From The Daily Beast

Some residents took to the secret-sharing app Whisper to disclose their biggest fears.

From The Daily Beast

Supporters of the Putin regime were pointed out in a whisper.

From The Daily Beast

Darren was the kind of man who'd lug a sofa bed up three flights of stairs without a whisper of complaint.

From The Daily Beast

These words were uttered in a guarded whisper by a boy about seventeen years of age, to a great dog that stood by his side.

From Project Gutenberg

The voice died out in a broken whisper, and two hot tears fell on Black Sheep's forehead.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw the tips of the fir trees shimmer, and heard them whisper as the breeze turned their needles towards the light.

From Project Gutenberg

"The angels don't whisper such blessed dreams to me," returned Dorothy, sadly.

From Project Gutenberg

A voice came from somewhere, a voice asking somebody also in a whisper to put the lights out.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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