whisper
- Top 3000
Sense 1
- verb
- B2
to say something using your breath instead of your full voice, so that only someone very close can hear you
She whispered something in his ear and they both laughed.
Please whisper — the baby has only just fallen asleep.
Two students were whispering at the back of the classroom.
He lost his voice and could only whisper for three days.
Common collocations: whisper to someone · whisper in someone's ear · whisper a secret · whisper softly · stop whispering
Part of: Speaking, Talking to people
Sense 2
- noun
- B1
a way of speaking that uses only breath, so that the words come out very quietly
He answered in a whisper so that nobody else would hear.
Her voice dropped to a whisper when she mentioned his illness.
I could barely catch his whisper over the noisy engine.
Common collocations: in a whisper · a low whisper · drop to a whisper · a hoarse whisper · speak in whispers
Part of: Speaking, Talking to people
Sense 3 · less common
- noun
- C1
a piece of news that people pass on quietly to each other and that may not be true
There are whispers that the factory may close next year.
Whispers about the new manager spread quickly through the whole building.
He heard the first whispers of trouble months before the news.
Common collocations: whispers of a takeover · hear whispers · whispers spread · the first whispers
Part of: Speaking, Talking to people, Media