noun
whisker
ihs-kuh
Whisker (noun) means one of the long stiff hairs growing near the mouth of a cat or other animal. Example: “The cat's whiskers twitched as it sniffed the air.”
noun
1
One of the long stiff hairs growing near the mouth of a cat or other animal.
"The cat's whiskers twitched as it sniffed the air."
2
A hair growing on a man's face, especially at the side.
"He hadn't shaved in days and had a rough stubble of whiskers."
3
A very small amount or distance.
"They lost the match by a whisker."
How to use whisker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe long facial hairs of an animal (or a man), or, informally, a tiny margin.
Common pairings
cat's whiskers
win by a whisker
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Word forms
- Plural
- whiskers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cat's _____ twitched as it sniffed the air.
Etymology
From Middle English wisker, formed from the verb whisk plus -er, originally referring to something that whisks or brushes lightly.
Synonyms
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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.
