whisper Hear it!

whisper Definition

whis·per (hwis′pər, wis′-)

intransitive verb

  1. to speak very softly, esp. without the resonance produced by the vibration of the vocal cords
  2. to talk quietly or furtively, as in gossiping, maligning, or plotting
  3. to make a soft, rustling sound like a whisper, as the leaves of a tree

Etymology: ME whisperen < OE hwisprian, akin to wispern < IE base *wei-, to whiz, hiss > whine, whistle

transitive verb

  1. to say very softly, esp. by whispering
  2. to tell (something) to (someone) privately or as a secret

noun

  1. the act or an instance of whispering; specif., soft, low speech produced with breath but, usually, without vibrating the vocal cords to speak in a whisper
    1. something whispered
    2. a secret, hint, rumor, etc.
  3. a soft, rustling sound like a whisper

whisper Related Forms

whis′·perer noun

whisper Synonyms

whisper

n.

  1. A low, sibilant sound

    rustle, noise, murmur, hum, buzz, drone, undertone, hissing, susurration.

  2. A guarded utterance

    disclosure, divulgence, confidence, aside, stage whisper, disclosure, secret, rumor, hint, secret message, underground report.

whisper Synonyms

whisper

v.

speak softly, speak in a whisper, speak under one's breath, speak in an undertone, tell, talk low, speak confidentially, mutter, murmur, susurrate, rustle, speak into someone's ear.

Antonyms yell*, speak aloud, shout.

whisper Usage Examples

Object

  • breeze: I am as free as a whispering breeze, and untroubled as a young child at play.
  • conversation: The oxygen machine drowned out the sound of any whispered conversations.
  • vocal: Etant Donnes combine such an approach with whispered vocals to evoke a peculiarly personal contribution.
  • voice: It was a voice, a whispering voice, in my very ear.
  • prayer: Whispering a little prayer, we sent it spinning into the river.
  • word: The words whispered at the back of her mind.

Converse of object

  • hush: A quiet, hushed whisper upon which the weight of the blood of kings weighs.
  • hear: Do you still hear the whisper Telling you to not let go?

Preposition: into

ear: They can be read silently, quietly to oneself, or whispered into the ear of a loved one.

Adjective modifier

  • faint: How will our ears drink in His well-known voice, Whose faintest whispers make our soul rejoice!
  • Chinese: In December 2004 I became, through Chinese whispers, a product of the culture of bad news.
  • careless: Every single wrong note and careless whisper has long since evaporated and what we're left with is a concentrated glass of amber perfection.
  • loud: Somewhere someone cocked a pistol, and there was the loud whisper of a sword being drawn from a scabbard.
  • gentle: Fear must release me to my God Anger must leave me, As a gentle whisper in the wind Death must lose its sting.
  • soft: The soft whisper of a voice this is a sign of God's presence in the world.

Modifying Another Word

  • hoarsely: Sir James indicates off, whispering hoarsely: TITLE: " The man sitting facing us is Roger Balfour!
  • softly: A softly whispered greeting On this your special day, To let you know we think of you Every single day.

Noun used with modifier

daimonique: Daimonique whispers, " I dunno who he is.

Preposition: in

  • ear: The person who whispers in the ear of the King is more important than the King.
  • corridor: The very same group who all hate each other and spend large parts of the day whispering in corridors about ' The Others ' .