whisper1 verbwhisper2 noun
whisperwhis‧per1 /ˈwɪspə $ -ər/ ●●● W3 verb 
WORD ORIGINwhisper1
Origin:
Old English hwisprianVERB TABLE
whisper
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | whisper |
| he, she, it | whispers | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | whispered |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have whispered |
| he, she, it | has whispered | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had whispered |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will whisper |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have whispered |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am whispering |
| he, she, it | is whispering | |
| you, we, they | are whispering | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was whispering |
| you, we, they | were whispering | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been whispering |
| he, she, it | has been whispering | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been whispering |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be whispering |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been whispering |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- ""Don't wake the baby,'' whispered Jemima.
- Fran leant over and whispered something in her sister's ear.
- Those two always sit in the back of the room and whisper.
- We had to whisper because Jill's mother was in the next room.
- Why are you two whispering?
- You don't have to whisper - there's no one around.
- I whispered, quietly yet urgently, that there was a bear nearby.
- I heard them whispering to the other sailors several times, but I did not suspect what they were planning.
- Repeat, whispering up to eight in an even stream as you breathe out.
THESAURUSdifferent ways of saying something
to say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your full voice: · ‘Don’t wake the baby,’ Jenny whispered.
to say something quietly without pronouncing the words clearly: · He mumbled his thanks.
to say something quietly, especially when you are annoyed but do not want someone to hear you complaining: · ‘This is ridiculous,’ he muttered under his breath.· She muttered something about having to go home early.
to say something in a soft slow gentle voice: · She stroked his hair and murmured, ‘Don’t worry. You’ll be all right.’
to say something in a low angry voice: · ‘As I was saying,’ Lewis growled, ‘it needs to be finished today.’
to say something in a nasty angry way: · ‘Get out of my way!’ he snarled.
to say something suddenly and loudly: · ‘How beautiful!’ she exclaimed.
to suddenly say something without thinking, especially something embarrassing or secret: · It was partly nervousness that had made him blurt out the question.
to speak with a lot of pauses and repeated sounds, because you have a speech problem, or because you are nervous or excited: · ‘I’ll, I’ll only be a m-moment,’ he stammered.
Longman Language Activatorto damage the reputation of someone or something · If a representative gets drunk at a convention, it may harm their firm's reputation.· Sabine was completely loyal to you. She would never do anything to damage your reputation.
to give a group or place a bad reputation by behaving in an unacceptable way: · Students who are rude and scruffy give the school a bad name.· The regular brawling and violence in the bar had given it a bad name.· He was the type of person that gives insurance salesmen a bad name.
formal to damage the reputation of the organization that you work for or the job that you do by doing something bad or illegal - use this especially in legal or official contexts: · This is exactly the kind of incident that brings international companies into disrepute.· The officers were charged with bringing the police force into disrepute.
to make people stop trusting or believing in someone or something: · There was a plot by certain members of the opposition to discredit the government.· The old leaders were discredited by the massive defeats at Verdun and Flanders.· Through your selfishness, you have brought discredit on yourself and your whole family.
a cruel and unfair attack on someone's character: · All too often politicians discredit themselves by engaging in character assassination.
something that harms someone's character, reputation etc in someone's opinion: a slur/stain on somebody's character/reputation etc: · Baker accused the press of casting a slur on his reputation.· He was discharged from the army without a stain on his character.
an attempt to damage the reputation of a political opponent by secretly spreading false ideas about them, for example by telling a newspaper that they have done bad or dishonest things: · Kingsley denies all the rumours, saying he's the victim of a vicious smear campaign.smear campaign/whispering campaign against: · Allegations of instability, untrustworthiness and lack of political judgement - all these were part of the whispering campaign against her.
to say something quietly or unclearly to say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your voice: · "Don't wake the baby,'' whispered Jemima.· You don't have to whisper - there's no one around.whisper something in somebody's ear: · Fran leant over and whispered something in her sister's ear.
to say something quietly, especially when you are annoyed but do not want someone to hear you complaining: · "Why do I have to do all the work?'' she muttered.· Grant went out, muttering something about having to see a client.mutter to yourself: · He was always muttering to himself about all the experiments he had to do that week.
to say something quietly without pronouncing the words clearly, so that it is difficult to understand: · He mumbled something I didn't hear.mumble that: · All I could do was mumble that I regretted I hadn't taken my degree.mumble a reply/an apology/your thanks etc: · Kaye could only mumble an apology.
to say something in a soft low voice, that is difficult to hear clearly: · He began stroking her hair and gently murmuring her name.· The child murmured something in its sleep.· She heard the priest murmuring a prayer at the front of the church.
to say something extremely quietly, especially a criticism or something rude, so that no one will hear what you are saying: · "Stupid idiot,'' he said under his breath as the old man walked away.
to say a few words in a low rough voice, especially when you are not really interested in what someone is saying to you: · "What about a stripy wallpaper for this room?'' "I dunno,'' he grunted.· She grunted something I didn't catch.
to speak to produce words with your voice: · How old are babies when they learn to speak?· Sean didn't speak the whole time we were in the car.· Don't interrupt me when I'm speaking.speak up (=speak louder): · Can you speak up? -- I can't hear you.
to produce words with your voice in order to have a conversation, tell people what you think etc: · You're not supposed to talk in the library.· Please don't all talk at the same time.
to speak very quietly, using your breath rather than your voice: · We had to whisper because Jill's mother was in the next room.· Why are you two whispering?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
‘I’ve missed you,’ he whispered in her ear.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Britta gave him a conspiratorial smile. a couple whispering sweet nothings to each other They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
1[intransitive, transitive] to speak or say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your voice: ‘I’ve missed you,’ he whispered in her ear. Britta gave him a conspiratorial smile.· He whispered something into his wife’s ear.
(=quiet speech) They spoke in hushed tones at the table.
They spoke in hushed tones at the table. a couple whispering sweet nothings to each other They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying.· The boy is about to reach out for it when Dixie whispers urgently in his ear.· She leaned across to two men on a neighbouring table and whispered urgently between their lowered heads.
NOUN· In Holly's ear Feldstein whispered of the circulation of the samizdat writings.· I strained my eyes to see their faces, my ears to catch their whispered voices.
· She whispered his name over and over: Mr Sargent, Mr Sargent.· She whispered her name to me.
· A voice whispered that the work was nonsense, too far removed from the interests of the age to be of value.· His voice was whispered, incredulous; something about the curious paths of his own life caused him endless surprise.· When he had woken up that morning the voices were waiting, whispering out on the staircase.· Arianna, a voice inside her whispered.· Play him at his own game, a small voice whispered.· A little voice inside her whispered that Luke had never intended his generous words to be taken literally.· When they cut the engine, Tabitha could hear tiny voices whispering to them.· He was right, a distant voice in her mind whispered mockingly.
· Some of the people whispered words in response to the priest's holy things.· And never shall I forget those whispered words.· For had not Caswell been beautiful - his full, sensuous lips, whispering honeyed words.· Inna whispered secret words of comfort and hope into Rachel's ear.· He displayed an ordinary military radio and whispered a few words and made their village disappear.· Tallis dragged the animal down and soothed it, stroking its muzzle and whispering soft words.· Anita said one more time, whispering the word like a prayer.
VERB· The lawyer believed his colleagues had begun to whisper about him behind his back.· In utter confidence she begins to sweetly whisper her secrets to the writer, who listens, transfixed.· Little Billy began to hear somebody whispering in his ear.· He or she begins to whisper, and in the voice is hypnotism, liberation, energy, possibly even truth.· Behind them, in the forest, a tiny wind began to whisper, and a faint awareness stirred the air.· Yet it began to be whispered secretly that he was dying.· She pulled Philippa aside and began to whisper to her.
· I heard them whispering to the other sailors several times, but I did not suspect what they were planning.· From her piggyback vantage point she heard dry reeds whisper and water splash.· Beyond one open doorway Alan heard children whispering in the dark - many children.· Test the hearing to whispered voice or watch ticking.· She could hear them whispering in the passage.· We entered the outskirts of Yaroslavl and I heard the others whispering to themselves.· I heard him whispering to my master all evening, and I was sorry I had laughed at him.· I hear a black boy whisper to the other.
· Then he leaned forward and whispered something into his left ear.· One of his soldiers leaned forward and whispered to hirn; the Prime Minister shook his head.· Magrat leaned over and whispered something in her husband's ear.· The thin figure leaned over and whispered in the sleeper's ear.
You don’t have to whisper, no one can hear us.whisper about What are you two whispering about over there?whisper something to somebody James leaned over to whisper something to Michael. ‘I’ve missed you,’ he whispered in her ear.► see thesaurus at say2[transitive] to say or suggest something privately or secretlywhisper that Staff were whispering that the company was about to go out of business.whisper1 verbwhisper2 noun
whisperwhisper2 ●●● W3 noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Both spoke to each other in whispers.
- But Dai Huang was not around to hear their whispers.
- Control over the full range from thunderous chords to glittering passage work to a mere whisper of a pianissimo was total.
- His words ended in a harsh whisper.
- The driver conferred in hurried whispers with the men, and we climbed in quickly.
- Throughout presidential history, there have been whispers.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives Britta gave him a conspiratorial smile. a couple whispering sweet nothings to each other They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
1a very quiet voice you make using your breath and no soundin a whisper· Her voice came out as a hoarse whisper.
· ‘Where are you going?’ I said in a loud whisper.
· When he spoke, it was in a low whisper.
(=a loud whisper that you intend everyone to hear)· 'What’s going on?' Rory said, in a stage whisper.
· They spoke in the hushed whispers of churchgoers.
· ‘Daddy!’ he said in an urgent whisper.
· ‘Let me go!’ she said in a fierce whisper.
(=used when you share a secret with someone)· ‘Does she suspect anything?’ said Ruth in a conspiratorial whisper.
phrases· They spoke in quick, urgent whispers.
(=only a little louder than a whisper)· 'Not me', he said, in a voice barely above a whisper.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Britta gave him a conspiratorial smile.· He whispered something into his wife’s ear.
(=quiet speech) They spoke in hushed tones at the table.
They spoke in hushed tones at the table. a couple whispering sweet nothings to each other They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying.· He dropped to a conspiratorial stage whisper with Margaret: Where is she anyway?
· When she started talking again her voice was not much louder than a whisper.· No one dared to object to him directly about his dim light, though some people grumbled about it in loud whispers.
NOUN· He dropped to a conspiratorial stage whisper with Margaret: Where is she anyway?
VERB· I asked in a whisper, fearing suspicious spirits, listening gods, and Edna.
· But Dai Huang was not around to hear their whispers.· How many of you have been hearing whispers in your mind that you have been ignoring? ....· I hear whispers, black boys.· Alexei heard a whisper of sound at his back, but he did not turn.· I believe I hear them laugh and whisper.· And when I picked it up, I could only hear a whisper.· Ask the students if they think they can hear a whisper from one end of the class to the other.
· But they say it in a whisper.· Suffice it to say that the whisper eventually turned into a shout and the five-foot pile of dirt was reduced considerably.· Regan, the chief stagehand, said in a harsh whisper.
· But in between all these things something happens which is only spoken of in hushed whispers.· He could not speak above a whisper.· Dexter eased himself across the room and spoke in a whisper.· They spoke among themselves in whispers, which fell off into sibilant monosyllables, and then into nothing at all.· Both spoke to each other in whispers.· They clung to each other, speaking in desperate whispers, sharing the shock and terror of a recently confirmed test result.
· But when the moment came, when he heard her, talking in a fear-ridden whisper, it wrenched at him.· They talk and laugh in whispers, their gestures efficient and contained.· Tashie had made everyone take off their shoes and promise not to talk or even whisper.· After he went to sleep, she and I talked in whispers.· Islington's brave battler can still barely talk above a whisper.· They were talking in whispers, laughing.
‘Where are we going?’ he asked in a whisper.2a piece of news or information that has not been officially announced and may or may not be true SYN rumourwhisper of The first whisper of the redundancies came from the newspapers.whisper that There are whispers that the actor was seen checking into a hospital last week.3a whisper of something literary a low soft sound made by something such as the windCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa hoarse whisper· Her voice came out as a hoarse whisper.a loud whisper· ‘Where are you going?’ I said in a loud whisper.a low/soft whisper· When he spoke, it was in a low whisper.a stage whisper (=a loud whisper that you intend everyone to hear)· 'What’s going on?' Rory said, in a stage whisper.a hushed whisper· They spoke in the hushed whispers of churchgoers.an urgent whisper· ‘Daddy!’ he said in an urgent whisper.a fierce whisper· ‘Let me go!’ she said in a fierce whisper.a conspiratorial whisper (=used when you share a secret with someone)· ‘Does she suspect anything?’ said Ruth in a conspiratorial whisper.phrasesspeak/talk in whispers· They spoke in quick, urgent whispers.barely/hardly/scarcely above a whisper (=only a little louder than a whisper)· 'Not me', he said, in a voice barely above a whisper.- chugger
- chum
- chummy
- chump
- chunder
- chunk
- chunky
- Chunnel
- chunter
- church
- Church Commissioners
- churchgoer
- Churchillian
- Churchill, Sir Winston
- churchman
- Church of England
- Church of Ireland
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Church of Scotland
- church school
- churchwarden
- churchwoman
- churchyard
- churlish
- churn