whispering

1 of 2

noun

whis·​per·​ing ˈ(h)wi-sp(ə-)riŋ 

1

a

: whispered speech

b

: gossip, rumor

2

: a sibilant sound : whisper

whispering

2 of 2

adjective

1

: making a sibilant sound

2

: spreading confidential and especially derogatory reports

… whispering tongues can poison truth …

—Samuel Taylor Coleridge

whisperingly

ˈ(h)wi-sp(ə-)riŋ-lē 

adverb

Examples of whispering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Don’t bother whispering, though; the rule applies only to the trains. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

The whispering earring is a little topaz gem that speaks to you. —Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

Adjective

With additional notes of nutmeg oil, coriander, and musk the scent profile is rich and understated—it’ll make a whispering statement without smelling like everyone else in the room. —Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026

Budj Bim assigned the weeping she-oak (Casuarina) trees, whose whispering voices can be heard in the wind, to be the guardian spirits of the landscape. —Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing whispering

• whispering campaign
• whispering sweet nothings