English Dictionary
Definition of “whisper”
whisper (ˈwɪspə
)
Definitions
verb
- to speak or utter (something) in a soft hushed tone, esp without vibration of the vocal cords
- (intr) to speak secretly or furtively, as in promoting intrigue, gossip, etc
- (intr) (of leaves, trees, etc) to make a low soft rustling sound
- (tr) to utter or suggest secretly or privately ⇒
to whisper treason
noun
- a low soft voice ⇒
to speak in a whisper
- something uttered in such a voice
- a low soft rustling sound
- a trace or suspicion
- informal a rumour or secret
Word Origin
Old English hwisprian; related to Old Norse hvīskra, Old High German hwispalōn, Dutch wispern
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
rumour,
report,
word,
story,
hint,
buzz,
gossip,
dirt,
goss,
innuendo,
insinuation,
scuttlebutt,
Translations
- British English:
whisper
When you whisper, you say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your throat, so that only one person can hear you.`Keep your voice down,' I whispered. Don't whisper. It's rude.ˈwɪspə VERB `Keep your voice down,' I whispered. Don't whisper. It's rude.
- Spanish:
susurrar
v
- French:
chuchoter
v
- German:
flüstern
v
- Chinese: 耳语 v
- Arabic: يَهْمِسُ v
- Portuguese: sussurrar v
- Russian: шептать v
- Croatian: šapat nm
- Czech: pošeptat v šeptat
- Danish: hviske v
- Dutch: fluisteren v
- Finnish: kuiskata v
- Greek: ψυθιρίζω v
- Italian: sussurrare v
- Japanese: ささやく v
- Korean: 속삭이다 v
- Norwegian: hviske v
- Polish: szepnąć v szeptać
- Brazilian Portuguese: sussurrar v
- European Spanish:
susurrar
v
- Swedish: viska v
- Thai: กระซิบ v
- Turkish: fısıldamak v
- Vietnamese: nói thầm v
Usage examples
The boy who'd stayed with Dayo was muttering Yoruba in a hoarse whisper.
Robert Wilson, INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS (2002)He came closer to James and dropped his voice to a whisper.
Country Life (2004)There isn't a whisper out of either one of them about adding more plants.
Globe and Mail (2003)Doughty by nature, doughty by location - as the ghost of Dickens might whisper.
Glasgow Herald (2001)He would take me out and whisper `You're the best-looking thing here tonight.
Steel, Elizabeth, Coping With Sudden Hair Loss (1988)
