whispering

[ˈ(h)wɪspəɹɪŋ]
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whisper

Whispering refers to speaking very quietly so others can barely hear what you say. It's often used when you want to share something confidential or intimate.

When people are whispering, they usually talk about something sensitive or private. You might catch snippets of a conversation that sounds like whispering in the background, where friends are sharing secrets with each other in hushed tones. In some cases, whispering can be used for fun, like when kids play "whisper" and try to see who can sneak up on others without making a sound.

How common is "whispering"?

Word whispering is considered rare in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.
Definitions

verb

  • To speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound.

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noun

  • Something that is whispered; gossip; a rumor.

adjective

  • That whispers

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Real examples of "whispering" in context

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