Library / English Dictionary

WHISPER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

Synonyms:

susurration; voicelessness; whisper; whispering

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("whisper" is a kind of...):

speaking; speech production (the utterance of intelligible speech)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "whisper"):

stage whisper (a loud whisper that can be overheard; on the stage it is heard by the audience but it supposed to be inaudible to the rest of the cast)

Derivation:

whisper (speak softly; in a low voice)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind

Synonyms:

rustle; rustling; whisper; whispering

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("whisper" is a kind of...):

noise (sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound))

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Speak softly; in a low voice

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "whisper" is one way to...):

mouth; speak; talk; utter; verbalise; verbalize (express in speech)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue whisper

Antonym:

shout (utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking))

Derivation:

whisper (speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords)

whisperer (one who speaks in a whisper)

whispering (speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords)

Credits

 Context examples: 

“My father,” she whispered, “often walks about the room in this way; it is nothing unusual.”

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

The universe is listening to the whispers of your heart, dear Pisces.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

And yet, my dear, let me whisper, I felt a thrill of joy through me when I knew that no other woman was a cause of trouble.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,” observed Miss Bingley in a half whisper, “that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

"Look at that, Bill," Henry whispered.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He drew her to him, whispered in her ear, and kissed her.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"Let's give it to him," whispered Laurie to Jo, who nodded and asked at once...

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

And drawing him a little aside, she whispered her persuasion that Lucy could not stay much longer.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

“We’re in luck, Roddy,” whispered Jim. “Here’s one of the windows open.”

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“How do you like Mrs. Elton?” said Emma in a whisper.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)