whisker
5 synonyms for whisker, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — One of the long stiff hairs growing near the mouth of a cat or other animal.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use whisker
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cat's whiskers
win by a whisker
Etymology
From Middle English wisker, formed from the verb whisk plus -er, originally referring to something that whisks or brushes lightly.
Full origin of whisker →Frequently asked questions
What does “whisker” mean?
The word “whisker” means one of the long stiff hairs growing near the mouth of a cat or other animal. In plain terms, the long facial hairs of an animal (or a man), or, informally, a tiny margin.
How do you pronounce “whisker”?
“Whisker” is pronounced ihs-kuh (/ʍɪskə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “whisker” in a sentence?
Here is “whisker” used in a sentence: “The cat's whiskers twitched as it sniffed the air.”
What part of speech is “whisker”?
“Whisker” is a noun.
Where does the word “whisker” come from?
The word “whisker” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wisker, formed from the verb whisk plus -er, originally referring to something that whisks or brushes lightly.
How many meanings does “whisker” have?
“Whisker” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the long stiff hairs growing near the mouth of a cat or other animal.
