whispering
Use Whispering in a sentence
pər00:10
Whispering
is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
verb (used without object)
1.
to speak with soft, hushed sounds, using the breath, lips, etc., but with no vibration of the vocal cords.
2.
Phonetics. to produce utterance substituting breath for phonation.
3.
to talk softly and privately (often implying gossip, slander, plotting, or the like): The king knew that the courtiers were whispering.
4.
(of trees, water, breezes, etc.) to make a soft, rustling sound like that of whispering.
verb (used with object)
5.
to utter with soft, low sounds, using the breath, lips, etc.: He whispered endearments to her.
6.
Phonetics. to utter (speech sounds) substituting breath for phonation.
7.
to say or tell in a whisper; tell privately.
8.
to speak to or tell (a person) in a whisper or privately.
noun
9.
the mode of utterance, or the voice, of a person who whispers: to speak in a whisper.
10.
a word or remark uttered by whispering.
11.
a rumor or insinuation: Whispers circulated about the affair.
12.
a soft, rustling sound like a whisper: the whisper of leaves in the wind.
Origin:
before 950; Middle English whisperen (v.), Old English hwisprian; cognate with German wispern; akin to Old Norse hviskra to whisper, hvīsla to whistle. See whine
before 950; Middle English whisperen (v.), Old English hwisprian; cognate with German wispern; akin to Old Norse hviskra to whisper, hvīsla to whistle. See whine
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To whispering
Collins
World English Dictionary
whisper (ˈwɪspə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to speak or utter (something) in a soft hushed tone, esp without vibration of the vocal cords |
| 2. | (intr) to speak secretly or furtively, as in promoting intrigue, gossip, etc |
| 3. | (intr) (of leaves, trees, etc) to make a low soft rustling sound |
| 4. | (tr) to utter or suggest secretly or privately: to whisper treason |
| —n | |
| 5. | a low soft voice: to speak in a whisper |
| 6. | something uttered in such a voice |
| 7. | a low soft rustling sound |
| 8. | a trace or suspicion |
| 9. | informal a rumour or secret |
| [Old English hwisprian; related to Old Norse hvīskra, Old High German hwispalōn, Dutch wispern] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
whisper
O.E. hwisprian "speak very softly" (only in a Northumbrian gloss for L. murmurare), from P.Gmc. *khwis- (cf. M.Du. wispelen, O.H.G. hwispalon, Ger. wispeln, wispern, O.N. hviskra "to whisper"), imitative and probably related to O.E. hwistlian "to whistle." The noun is from 1596.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Whispering can strain the vocal cords more than speaking does.
The site was filthy, stinky and surrounded by appalled tourists taking photos and whispering about the hippies' odd behavior.
She started whispering to herself and stabbing at the paper with her pen.
The contrast between the sallow, whispering prisoners and their ebullient captors could scarcely be more striking.
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