/ ˈwɪspə(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
to speak very quietly to sb so that other people cannot hear what you are saying
SYN murmur :
[ v ]
Don't you know it's rude to whisper?
What are you two whispering about?
[ v speech ]
'Can you meet me tonight?' he whispered.
[ vn ]
She leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
[ v that ]
He whispered to me that he was afraid.
2.
[ often passive ] to say or suggest sth about sb/sth in a private or secret way :
[ vn that ]
It was whispered that he would soon die and he did.
[also v that ]
3.
[ v ] ( literary ) ( of leaves, the wind, etc. ) to make a soft, quiet sound
■ noun
1.
a low quiet voice or the sound it makes
SYN murmur :
They spoke in whispers .
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
—see also stage whisper
2.
(also whis·per·ing ) ( literary ) a soft sound
SYN murmur :
I could hear the whispering of the sea.
3.
a piece of news that is spread by being talked about but may not be true
SYN rumour :
I've heard whispers that he's leaving.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English hwisprian , of Germanic origin; related to German wispeln , from the imitative base of whistle .