whisper

verb whis·per \ ˈhwi-spər , ˈwi- \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of whisper

whispered; whispering play \ˈhwi-sp(ə-)riŋ, ˈwi-\

intransitive verb

1 : to speak softly with little or no vibration of the vocal cords especially to avoid being overheard

2 : to make a sibilant sound that resembles whispering

transitive verb

1 : to address in a whisper

2 : to utter or communicate in or as if in a whisper

See whisper defined for English-language learners

See whisper defined for kids

Examples of whisper in a Sentence

He whispered in my ear.
She leaned over and whispered to the girl next to her.
I couldn't hear what they were saying because they were whispering.
She leaned over and whispered something to the girl next to her.
“I'll be right back,” she whispered.
A soft breeze whispered through the trees.

Recent Examples of whisper from the Web

Fine, but what about James' 34.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 41.2 minutes per game in the last series against the Pacers? (Looks down at the floor, whispers) 36 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists against the Raptors last time around.

— joe vardon, cleveland.com, "If you think LeBron James torments the Pacers, meet the Raptors," 30 Apr. 2018
Teammates whispered answers to one another as a clock ticked down on a large screen.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Shad Derby Trivia Contest Tests Knowledge," 26 Apr. 2018
In the Miami Heat's 128-108 Game 3 playoff loss to Philadelphia here Thursday night, Whiteside whispered with five points and only two rebounds in 13 minutes.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "Why did the Heat lose Game 3? Start with Embiid showing up and Whiteside disappearing | Miami Herald," 19 Apr. 2018
Or maybe little Susie was kicking Tom’s seat and someone whispered it to the teacher.

— scott berson, charlotteobserver, "Lots of kids tattletale - but maybe that's a good thing, study says | Charlotte Observer," 6 Apr. 2018
There’s also the possibility that’s been whispered—and met with some skepticism in the league office and met with some skepticism in the league office—that an NFL franchise in London could be shared with a U.S. city.

— albert breer, SI.com, "By Buying Wembley, Is Shad Khan Setting the Stage for a Jaguars’ Move to London?," 26 Apr. 2018
The women would frequently whisper a few words of prayer in halting Arabic exalting the role of mothers in Islam while pressing the infants to their chests.

— alice martins, Washington Post, "Forced to deliver babies for the Islamic State, she shared moments tender, cruel and grotesque," 25 Apr. 2018
One man clutched his belongings in a trash bag, and the Honduran woman whispered prayers as the procession wound up a ramp to the hallway that leads to the U.S.

— kate morrissey, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Before migrant caravan reaches border, 90 request asylum at San Ysidro, more wait ouside," 24 Apr. 2018
There’s just too many whispers going around on Allen to the Browns and that’s too hard to ignore.

— drew davison and peter dawson, star-telegram, "Mock Draft 3.0: Cowboys coin flip of Calvin Ridley vs. Leighton Vander Esch? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whisper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of whisper

Middle English, from Old English hwisperian; akin to Old High German hwispalōn to whisper, Old Norse hvīsla — more at whistle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

whisper Synonyms

Synonyms

bruit (about), circulate, noise (about or abroad), rumor;

Related Words

bandy (about), blab, gossip, tattle;

bare, disclose, divulge, expose, let on (about), report, reveal, spill, tell;

hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, suggest;

broadcast, proclaim, propagate, publicize, spread;

whisper

noun

Definition of whisper

1 : something communicated by or as if by whispering; especially : rumor

whispers of scandal

2 a : an act or instance of whispering; especially : speech without vibration of the vocal cords

b : a sibilant sound that resembles whispered speech

3 : hint, trace

See whisper defined for English-language learners

Examples of whisper in a Sentence

She spoke in a whisper.
the whisper of the wind
I've heard whispers that the company might go out of business.

Recent Examples of whisper from the Web

There’s a whisper on the night wind, a star agleam to guide us.

— ernie cowan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Visit the High Sierra with a trip to Palomar Mountain," 11 May 2018
While the creatures are blind, their hearing is so keen that a shattering plate, the thump of boots, or any speech above a whisper could draw them.

— adi robertson, The Verge, "A Quiet Place blends horror and drama in a silent world," 5 Apr. 2018
With her voice hovering just above a whisper in her early scenes, her eyes do most of the work.

— kristen page-kirby, idahostatesman, "Coming-of-age tale that’s more honest than most | Idaho Statesman," 29 Mar. 2018
Kansas’ basketball players spoke just above a whisper during media interviews in an unusually quiet winners' locker room on Friday night at the Sprint Center.

— gary bedore, kansascity, "KU outlasts shorthanded K-State in Big 12 semi: 'That was not a jubilant locker room' | The Kansas City Star," 9 Mar. 2018
In an interview with The Star in July, Paul spoke in short phrases, barely above a whisper.

— robert king, Indianapolis Star, "Paul Henry Gingerich: Another birthday for a boy in prison," 17 Feb. 2015
An endorsement for an NFL receiver from Saints coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees simply speaks volumes, the difference between a scream and a whisper.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "For Ryan Pace and the Bears, the smart play is the safe one in this NFL draft," 24 Apr. 2018
In that quiet Beethoven, where Drake’s single notes were as jewels, Finley managed a tender whisper.

— peter dobrin, Philly.com, "Partnership of equals: pianist Julius Drake and bass-baritone Gerald Finley," 22 Apr. 2018
The league offers plenty of examples of ball-carriers from outside the Power 5 who found a way to juke the doubts and whispers.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego State's Rashaad Penny is the potential steal of NFL Draft," 20 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of whisper

1595

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

whisper Synonyms

Synonyms

canard, story, tale;

defamation, libel, slander;

hearsay;

fable, fabrication, fairy tale, falsehood, falsity, fib, lie, mendacity, prevarication, untruth, whopper;

WHISPER Defined for English Language Learners

whisper

verb

Definition of whisper for English Language Learners

: to speak very softly or quietly
: to produce a quiet sound

whisper

noun

Definition of whisper for English Language Learners

: a very soft and quiet way of speaking
: a soft and quiet sound
: a very small amount of something

WHISPER Defined for Kids

whisper

verb whis·per \ ˈhwi-spər , ˈwi- \

Definition of whisper for Students

whispered; whispering

1 : to speak softly and quietly

2 : to tell by speaking softly and quietly

“I would miss you, Nick,” I whispered. “I would.”
—Patricia MacLachlan, Sarah, Plain and Tall

3 : to make a low rustling sound

The wind whispered in the trees.

whisper

noun

Definition of whisper for Students

1 : a soft quiet way of speaking that can be heard only by people who are near

2 : the act of speaking softly and quietly

3 : something said softly and quietly

4 : ¹hint 2

a whisper of smoke

Learn More about whisper

See words that rhyme with whisper Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for whisper Spanish Central: Translation of whisper Nglish: Translation of whisper for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of whisper for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whisper

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whisper

Definition of whisper

Examples of whisper in a Sentence

Recent Examples of whisper from the Web

Origin and Etymology of whisper

whisper Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

whisper

Definition of whisper

Examples of whisper in a Sentence

Recent Examples of whisper from the Web

First Known Use of whisper

whisper Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to WHISPER

Related Phrases

WHISPER Defined for English Language Learners

whisper

Definition of whisper for English Language Learners

whisper

Definition of whisper for English Language Learners

WHISPER Defined for Kids

whisper

Definition of whisper for Students

whisper

Definition of whisper for Students

Learn More about whisper

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