# whisper

/ˈhwɪspɝ/ (US) · /wˈɪspɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/whisper
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to speak quietly

verb · CEFR B1

to speak very softly using your breath so that only someone close to you can hear.

For teachers: to utter words without vibration of the vocal cords, typically to maintain secrecy or avoid disturbing others.

- She leaned over to whisper the secret into her friend's ear during the movie.
- The witnesses began to whisper among themselves as the judge entered the room, creating a low hum of anxious conversation.

### 2. to send a private message

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to send a private message to one person in a public chat room.

For teachers: to transmit a private digital message to a specific user within a multi-user chat environment.

- If you have a question about the rules, just whisper the moderator.
- The streamer asked viewers to whisper their technical issues to the support bot rather than flooding the main chat.

### 3. a quiet voice

noun · CEFR B1

the act of speaking quietly or the quiet sound itself.

For teachers: the act or sound of speaking without sonant breath.

- They spoke in a whisper so they wouldn't wake the sleeping baby.
- The conversation dropped to a whisper as they approached the library's restricted archives.

### 4. a rumor

noun · CEFR B2

a secret piece of news or a rumor that people are talking about privately.

For teachers: a widely circulated rumor or report, often implying secrecy or lack of official confirmation.

- There are whispers that the company might close its local office next year.
- Despite official denials, whispers of a hostile takeover continued to circulate throughout the financial district.

Usage: Often used in the plural form 'whispers'.

### 5. a soft sound

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

a very quiet, rustling sound like wind in the trees.

For teachers: a low, sibilant sound reminiscent of quiet speech, often produced by natural elements.

- The only sound in the forest was the soft whisper of the wind through the pines.
- The distant whisper of the waves against the shore provided a rhythmic backdrop to the quiet evening.

### 6. a tiny amount

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a very small amount or a slight trace of something.

For teachers: a faint trace, hint, or slight suggestion of a quality or substance.

- The soup was good, but it needed just a whisper of salt to be perfect.
- The old house still held a whisper of the original owner's perfume, lingering faintly in the velvet curtains.

## Examples

- She spoke in a whisper so the baby wouldn't wake up.
- The students shared the secret in a whisper during the quiet study session at the library.
- The wind carried a faint whisper through the trees, creating an eerie atmosphere that made the hikers feel as though they were being watched.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.