whisper
WIHS-puh
Whisper (verb) means to speak very quietly, using breath rather than the full voice, so only someone nearby can hear. Example: “She leaned over and whispered the secret in his ear.”
verb
1
To speak very quietly, using breath rather than the full voice, so only someone nearby can hear.
"She leaned over and whispered the secret in his ear."
"Don't whisper during the exam, or you'll be disqualified."
"The children whispered to each other as the teacher walked past their desks."
noun
1
A very quiet way of speaking, or an unconfirmed rumour.
"He spoke in a whisper so as not to wake the baby."
"There were whispers around the office about layoffs."
"I heard a faint whisper from behind the curtain and turned round."
How to use whisper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo speak very softly, or a soft, quiet sound or rumour.
Common pairings
whisper in someone's ear
a whisper of doubt
rumours and whispers
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Word forms
- Plural
- whispers
- Third person singular
- whispers
- Past tense
- whispered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She leaned over and _____ the secret in his ear.
Etymology
From Old English hwisprian, "to murmur or mutter" — imitative in origin, echoing the soft hissing sound of quiet speech.
Synonyms
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mutter
murmur
hiss softly
undertone
hush
murmuring
susurration
rustle
rustling
whispering
voicelessness
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “whisper” mean?
The word “whisper” means to speak very quietly, using breath rather than the full voice, so only someone nearby can hear. In plain terms, to speak very softly, or a soft, quiet sound or rumour.
How do you pronounce “whisper”?
“Whisper” is pronounced WIHS-puh (/ˈ(h)wɪspɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “whisper” in a sentence?
Here is “whisper” used in a sentence: “She leaned over and whispered the secret in his ear.”
What part of speech is “whisper”?
Depending on how it is used, “whisper” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “whisper” come from?
The word “whisper” comes from Old English. From Old English hwisprian, "to murmur or mutter" — imitative in origin, echoing the soft hissing sound of quiet speech.
Is “whisper” a common word?
“Whisper” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “whisper” have?
“Whisper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to speak very quietly, using breath rather than the full voice, so only someone nearby can hear.
What is the difference between whisper and mutter?
To whisper is to speak very quietly using breath rather than the full voice, usually so only someone nearby can hear, while to mutter is to speak in a low, often unclear or grumbling voice, typically out of annoyance. Whispering is about volume and secrecy, whereas muttering is more about tone and clarity.
Can whisper be used to mean a rumor?
Yes, as a noun a whisper can refer to an unconfirmed rumor, as in 'there were whispers about the company merging.' This figurative sense builds on the idea of information passed quietly and informally rather than announced openly.
Is 'whisper' only used for speech?
No, whisper can also describe other soft, quiet sounds, such as wind whispering through trees, though its core meaning centers on speaking very quietly with breath rather than full voice.
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