Meaning & use

whisper

verb·Everyday

To speak very softly and quietly, often to keep others from hearing.

See it in a sentence

She leaned over and whispered the secret directly into his ear.

The students whispered to each other while the teacher wrote on the board.

A note on using this word

Whisper contrasts with 'mutter,' which suggests low, unclear speech, often out of annoyance rather than secrecy.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A very quiet, soft way of speaking, or an unconfirmed rumor.

There was a whisper going around the office that layoffs were coming.

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