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单词 whisper
释义

Definition of whisper in English:

whisper

verbˈwɪspəˈ(h)wɪspər
  • 1reporting verb Speak very softly using one's breath rather than one's throat, especially for the sake of secrecy.

    no object Alison was whispering in his ear
    with object he managed to whisper a faint goodbye
    with direct speech ‘Are you all right?’ he whispered
    Example sentencesExamples
    • Struggling for a last breath, he whispered the first thing that came to his mind.
    • She kneeled down next to him, clutched his throat and whispered a severe warning to him.
    • Gaffle raised a hand to Pintom's ear and whispered a short conversation.
    • He barely managed to whisper his response into the receiver.
    • The guys took a deep breath, whispered a prayer to the Lord above and opened their mouths to sing.
    • She can speak English but prefers to whisper in my ear rather than talking out loud in the noisy bar area.
    • I swallowed the lump that had gathered in my throat and whispered the words back.
    • In the mountains, the marines whisper to each other rather than talk: voices carry easily up here and they don't want to give themselves away to their enemy.
    • I practically whispered, my throat constricting and my eyes bright with unshed tears.
    • The sergeant managed to whisper something in Leila's ear that was faint to both Daniel's and Lance's own hearing.
    • So I just whisper it under my breath instead, which works out fine.
    • On the second day she whispered when she spoke, not wanting to wake her.
    • Sam managed to whisper in his ear before she felt she would be taken over by tears again.
    • Finally, Martin managed to whisper in my ear that he loved me and boarded the plane.
    • As she lay dying she managed to whisper a description of her attacker to the detective who found her.
    • Other diners are dotted around, whispering in conversation in reverence to the food.
    • He wanted to speak beautiful words, whispering sonnets of his own design into her ear.
    • A blond girl giggled softly as a boy whispered into her ear, his arm around her shoulders.
    • His eyes dart around and he whispers as he speaks as if what he's telling me is top secret.
    • I tried to whisper something under my breath but the teacher heard me and asked what I said.
    Synonyms
    murmur, mutter, mumble, speak/say softly, speak/say in muted tones, speak/say in hushed tones, speak/say sotto voce
    breathe, purr, say under one's breath
    1. 1.1be whispered Be rumoured.
      it was whispered that he would soon die
      Example sentencesExamples
      • It was whispered that government research continued at a nearby secret mountain complex where Special Ops field agents were trained.
      • Still, it was whispered that she had the gift of second sight.
      • It was whispered that these people were paid handsomely for crimes that could not be traced.
      • When the original SMiLE sessions were taking place, it was whispered that the material was far too bizarre to be released.
      • It was whispered that they spent all their time locked up at the Business School, frantically running from one lecture or work group to the next.
    2. 1.2literary (of leaves, wind, or water) rustle or murmur softly.
      Example sentencesExamples
      • The wind was whispering quietly in the trees, which were illuminated by a half hidden full moon.
      • I feel like growling, packing a bag and heading for a remote desert island where only the wind bothers to whisper.
      • The sun was now below the horizon and the evening breeze whispered around me.
      • She listened to the soft calling of the birds and the wind whispering through the trees.
      • Everything looked pale gray in the moonlight, and a slight breeze made the grasses whisper around me.
      • Roots burrow under my feet and leaves whisper to each other from opposite sides of the valley.
      • She felt like the wind whispering through the trees, but was nothing more than a shadow.
      • A cool wind was rising, causing the leaves to whisper against each other, their glossy darkness shimmering.
      • The birds were singing and even the soft breeze whispered in his ears, all helping to make the discomforting dream fade away.
      • The wind whispered through her hair and brought back memories of the day she met Connor.
      • It was really there, a wind that whispered to him like a lone siren singing her song.
      • The wind whispered through the trees, calling out to her in words.
      • Just as a lonely boat drifted into the next bay, the wind whispered softly in her ear…
      • The waves pounded below, and the wind whispered in from the ocean, jostling the lone pine that grew stunted from the rocky soil.
      • The wind made the trees sway and whisper their stories.
      • The flowers swayed in the breeze and the grass and leaves whispered with them.
      • The breeze whispered through the trees and swept Cat's long hair back from her face.
      • Melina's horse walked on the path as all around her the forest whispered with the wind.
      Synonyms
      rustle, murmur, sigh, moan, sough, whoosh, whir, swish, blow, breathe
      rare susurrate
noun ˈwɪspəˈ(h)wɪspər
  • 1A soft or confidential tone of voice; a whispered word or phrase.

    she spoke in a whisper
    Example sentencesExamples
    • ‘I suffered with the people,’ she said, her voice sinking to a whisper.
    • She kept hearing soft voices and whispers in her mind.
    • A friend suggests, ‘When you feel like shouting, drop your voice to a whisper.’
    • In a voice soft as a whisper, fine as silk, and barely recognizable, she asked, ‘Is it a trick?’
    • Juliet replied, her voice softer than a whisper.
    • His voice was but a whisper and my recovering ears just registered the word.
    • Her voice was barely a whisper but the words echoed in her head like a jackhammer.
    • Mr Robinson passed out because of the smoke, has severely impaired lungs and a voice box so badly damaged he can barely raise his voice above a whisper.
    • She touched the ruby lightly as she spoke, her voice nearing a whisper with every word spoken.
    • His voice was a whisper, the words forced out in one breath.
    • My uncle and mother were arguing, their voices held in hushed whispers.
    • Tall and owl-eyed, he speaks in a voice barely above a whisper at his spacious flat in a bourgeois neighbourhood of Rome.
    • ‘Oh my word,’ she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.
    • Then I heard whispers and lowered voices and then footsteps.
    • ‘I would never hurt you, Cole,’ he said again, his voice barely a whisper.
    • Then she too heard it, the snapping of a twig, and the whispers of voices.
    • I know something unpleasant happened to her, but I was only a small child and when I was around adult voices turned into whispers.
    • I awoke to the hushed whispers of several voices; it was becoming very difficult to breath and it was stifling hot.
    • During the last few words, Nathan's voice dropped to a whisper.
    • Geraldine's tone of voice lowered to a whisper.
    Synonyms
    murmur, mutter, mumble, low voice, hushed tone, undertone
    1. 1.1 A rumour or piece of gossip.
      whispers of a blossoming romance
      Example sentencesExamples
      • None of the allegations, hints and whispers lead anywhere.
      • He added: ‘There have been rumours and whispers, but I can say there will be no pay and display parking in Radcliffe.’
      • They existed as unsung heroes, their deeds of chivalry no more than whispers and rumours among the populace.
      • By now, the release of a Catherine Breillat film is a ritual: whispers of scandal give way to full-blown outrage and a polarized critical reception.
      • After that win there were the same whispers that Campbell had reported at the Olympics.
      • And yet, there are hints and whispers of a brave new phenomenon in the modelling industry.
      • Already depressed about his marriage, the whispers and false rumours saw Temple plunge into despair, and ultimately suicide.
      • Rumours and whispers were circulating last night that he had been on an all day bender since 7am that morning!
      • The game was evenly poised and the stand was full of rumours and whispers of the developing situation at Mansfield Park.
      • It was just whispers at first, reminiscent of those early rumours that eventually coalesced into the late-lamented National Post.
      • The crowd's reaction was a mixture of whispers and excited gossip about the newly discovered relative.
      • Hints and whispers had been emerging for months that something was on the cards.
      • So there are hints, whispers, rumours, emails and questions but, significantly, no answers.
      • So, once again, we're into the world of whispers and sources, rumours, winks and knowing nods.
      • The hints and whispers pointed ever more to Kelly, who friends say believed his name would be kept out of the row.
      • Downstairs, the servants are closer to the underbelly of society, the whispers and the rumours.
      • Nevertheless, there have been whispers of scandal.
      • Everywhere she walked, she was accompanied by rumours and whispers.
      • There was a rumour, a whisper, of a deeper malaise in the state.
      • The same pattern followed: rumours, whispers, a nudge and wink, but very little in the way of hard evidence to back up theories that ‘they were all at it’.
      Synonyms
      rumour, story, report, speculation, insinuation, suggestion, hint
      (whispers), gossip, hearsay, word, scandal, tittle-tattle, idle talk
      French on dit, bavardage
      German Kaffeeklatsch
      West Indian labrish, shu-shu
      informal buzz
      British informal goss
      North American informal scuttlebutt
      Australian/New Zealand informal furphy
      South African informal skinder
      rare bruit
    2. 1.2literary A soft rustling or murmuring sound.
      the thunder of the surf became a muted whisper
      Example sentencesExamples
      • The tide was just going out, so the whole beach was calm, not even a whisper of a breeze.
      • The only sound is the faint whisper of the air-conditioning.
      • As the Ladies in Waiting gently assisted the queen on to the wharf there was a whisper of sound like the folds of her dress, like the rustle of dry leaves in a soft wind.
      • For a while the only sound was the hushed whisper of the passing river.
      • It came as silently as a whisper of the wind.
      • The only sound inside was the soft whisper of dust against the shields.
      • In the distant night, a whisper of sound caught Yuen's attention.
      • There was no sound besides the light whisper of the breeze.
      • It was not a sound either; Ayame was certain it was impossible to hear anything above the soft whispers of the wind and the rush of the water against the shore.
      • Smiling silently, she listened to the whisper of the wind.
      Synonyms
      rustle, murmur, sigh, moan, sough, whoosh, whir, swish
      rare susurration
      babble, burble, purl, lap
      literary plash
    3. 1.3usually in singular A slight trace; a hint.
      he didn't show even a whisper of interest
      Example sentencesExamples
      • This season, he has eight goals in 22 games - better than one in three - and yet there is hardly a whisper of a Fowler resurrection.
      • A whisper of mystery turns all eyes to the throne.
      • What is of interest, however, is that he has suffered barely a whisper of criticism from the left wing media or political classes.
      • The police believed him without a whisper of doubt.
      • He listened to it late at night, huddled with earphones on and shades drawn, to hear music that brought him a whisper of sanity and took him away from the horrors of his day.
      • He did after all confess, without a whisper of remorse, to carrying out the bombing.
      • One of their airmen had died, yet there wasn't a whisper of regret.
      • In 2002 DeLay was elected majority leader without a whisper of challenge.
      • When not a whisper of a reply came I reached out and gently touched her cheek.
      • Will a future generation even get a whisper of the political and cultural history that these acres spawned and which defined what is Bombay / Mumbai?
      • How can you just carry me off like this, depriving me of internet access without even a whisper of warning?
      • She ungrudgingly accepts her fate without a whisper of frustration.
      • I haven't heard a whisper of praise about her from any quarter in at least two years, and with good reason.
      • It carries a hint of greed and a whisper of skulduggery.
      • A whisper of a smile played on Amy's lips and Rebecca returned it.
      • For all that, however, we have heard not a whisper of apology from those responsible.
      • They lost by five points and returned home without a whisper of dissent.
      • I could detect a whisper of mint, incredibly refreshing with the lamb.
      • There was a whisper of TV interest from a ‘major UK network’ today.
      • But I am sorry that, in the name of health, we can be dictated to with scarcely a whisper of protest.
      Synonyms
      trace, scrap, touch, tinge, hint, suggestion, suspicion, soupçon, whiff, inkling, scintilla, whit, spark, glimmer, flicker, atom, speck, bit, ounce, drop, dash, jot, iota, shred, crumb, morsel, fragment, vestige, grain, spot, mite, modicum

Derivatives

  • whispery

  • adjective
    • At Bangalore, there are moments when Knopfler's guttural whispery vocals, particularly when the score demands a softer tone, seem to be drowned out by the percussion and strings.
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Lead guitar and vocalist Andrew Kenny, has a relaxed and often whispery quality on the mic that is a perfect compliment to AMS's sound.
      • Live Earlimart had layers of swirly, feedbacky sound along with their trademark whispery vocals-made for a really intense, compelling performance.
      • Stina Nordenstam doesn't play live, barely does interviews, generally resists being photographed and sings in a small, whispery voice that sounds as if it's escaping between bouts of sobbing.
      • The title track is a rhythmic ballad suitable for singing along to, and the rest of the album is an invitation to explore his whispery lyrics and classic instruments.

Origin

Old English hwisprian, of Germanic origin; related to German wispeln, from the imitative base of whistle.

  • whistle from Old English:

    The first meaning of whistle was ‘a small pipe or flute’. Its origin seems to lie in imitation, for it mimics the physical process of whistling. Whisper (Old English) comes from the same root. In wet your whistle, or have a drink, the whistle is your mouth or throat. The first example of its use is by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Reeve's Tale. To blow the whistle on someone responsible for doing something wrong is to inform on them. The expression comes from a referee blowing a whistle to indicate that a player has broken the rules. When first used in the 1930s it meant ‘bring to an abrupt halt’, but by the 1970s it had come to refer specifically to people exposing wrongdoing in government or industry. In the 1930s a whistle-stop was a small American town on a railway. If a passenger wanted to get off the conductor would sound a whistle to tell the driver he had to stop. A whistle-stop tour was one made by a politician before an election that took in even these obscure places.

Rhymes

crisper
 
 

Definition of whisper in US English:

whisper

verbˈ(h)wɪspərˈ(h)wispər
  • 1reporting verb Speak very softly using one's breath without one's vocal cords, especially for the sake of privacy.

    Alison was whispering in his ear
    with object he managed to whisper a faint goodbye
    with direct speech “Are you all right?” he whispered
    Example sentencesExamples
    • I practically whispered, my throat constricting and my eyes bright with unshed tears.
    • Gaffle raised a hand to Pintom's ear and whispered a short conversation.
    • He wanted to speak beautiful words, whispering sonnets of his own design into her ear.
    • As she lay dying she managed to whisper a description of her attacker to the detective who found her.
    • A blond girl giggled softly as a boy whispered into her ear, his arm around her shoulders.
    • In the mountains, the marines whisper to each other rather than talk: voices carry easily up here and they don't want to give themselves away to their enemy.
    • The guys took a deep breath, whispered a prayer to the Lord above and opened their mouths to sing.
    • I tried to whisper something under my breath but the teacher heard me and asked what I said.
    • She kneeled down next to him, clutched his throat and whispered a severe warning to him.
    • The sergeant managed to whisper something in Leila's ear that was faint to both Daniel's and Lance's own hearing.
    • Other diners are dotted around, whispering in conversation in reverence to the food.
    • On the second day she whispered when she spoke, not wanting to wake her.
    • His eyes dart around and he whispers as he speaks as if what he's telling me is top secret.
    • Sam managed to whisper in his ear before she felt she would be taken over by tears again.
    • I swallowed the lump that had gathered in my throat and whispered the words back.
    • Struggling for a last breath, he whispered the first thing that came to his mind.
    • So I just whisper it under my breath instead, which works out fine.
    • He barely managed to whisper his response into the receiver.
    • Finally, Martin managed to whisper in my ear that he loved me and boarded the plane.
    • She can speak English but prefers to whisper in my ear rather than talking out loud in the noisy bar area.
    Synonyms
    murmur, mutter, mumble, say softly, speak softly, say in muted tones, speak in muted tones, say in hushed tones, speak in hushed tones, say sotto voce, speak sotto voce
    1. 1.1be whispered Be rumored.
      it was whispered that he would soon die
      Example sentencesExamples
      • It was whispered that they spent all their time locked up at the Business School, frantically running from one lecture or work group to the next.
      • Still, it was whispered that she had the gift of second sight.
      • It was whispered that these people were paid handsomely for crimes that could not be traced.
      • When the original SMiLE sessions were taking place, it was whispered that the material was far too bizarre to be released.
      • It was whispered that government research continued at a nearby secret mountain complex where Special Ops field agents were trained.
    2. 1.2literary (of leaves, wind, or water) rustle or murmur softly.
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Roots burrow under my feet and leaves whisper to each other from opposite sides of the valley.
      • She felt like the wind whispering through the trees, but was nothing more than a shadow.
      • The wind made the trees sway and whisper their stories.
      • A cool wind was rising, causing the leaves to whisper against each other, their glossy darkness shimmering.
      • Everything looked pale gray in the moonlight, and a slight breeze made the grasses whisper around me.
      • The sun was now below the horizon and the evening breeze whispered around me.
      • It was really there, a wind that whispered to him like a lone siren singing her song.
      • The birds were singing and even the soft breeze whispered in his ears, all helping to make the discomforting dream fade away.
      • The wind was whispering quietly in the trees, which were illuminated by a half hidden full moon.
      • The wind whispered through her hair and brought back memories of the day she met Connor.
      • She listened to the soft calling of the birds and the wind whispering through the trees.
      • The breeze whispered through the trees and swept Cat's long hair back from her face.
      • The wind whispered through the trees, calling out to her in words.
      • Just as a lonely boat drifted into the next bay, the wind whispered softly in her ear…
      • The waves pounded below, and the wind whispered in from the ocean, jostling the lone pine that grew stunted from the rocky soil.
      • I feel like growling, packing a bag and heading for a remote desert island where only the wind bothers to whisper.
      • The flowers swayed in the breeze and the grass and leaves whispered with them.
      • Melina's horse walked on the path as all around her the forest whispered with the wind.
      Synonyms
      rustle, murmur, sigh, moan, sough, whoosh, whir, swish, blow, breathe
nounˈ(h)wɪspərˈ(h)wispər
  • 1A soft or confidential tone of voice; a whispered word or phrase.

    she spoke in a whisper
    Example sentencesExamples
    • Geraldine's tone of voice lowered to a whisper.
    • Then I heard whispers and lowered voices and then footsteps.
    • I awoke to the hushed whispers of several voices; it was becoming very difficult to breath and it was stifling hot.
    • Mr Robinson passed out because of the smoke, has severely impaired lungs and a voice box so badly damaged he can barely raise his voice above a whisper.
    • In a voice soft as a whisper, fine as silk, and barely recognizable, she asked, ‘Is it a trick?’
    • ‘I would never hurt you, Cole,’ he said again, his voice barely a whisper.
    • My uncle and mother were arguing, their voices held in hushed whispers.
    • Her voice was barely a whisper but the words echoed in her head like a jackhammer.
    • His voice was but a whisper and my recovering ears just registered the word.
    • ‘I suffered with the people,’ she said, her voice sinking to a whisper.
    • I know something unpleasant happened to her, but I was only a small child and when I was around adult voices turned into whispers.
    • ‘Oh my word,’ she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.
    • His voice was a whisper, the words forced out in one breath.
    • Juliet replied, her voice softer than a whisper.
    • During the last few words, Nathan's voice dropped to a whisper.
    • She touched the ruby lightly as she spoke, her voice nearing a whisper with every word spoken.
    • A friend suggests, ‘When you feel like shouting, drop your voice to a whisper.’
    • She kept hearing soft voices and whispers in her mind.
    • Then she too heard it, the snapping of a twig, and the whispers of voices.
    • Tall and owl-eyed, he speaks in a voice barely above a whisper at his spacious flat in a bourgeois neighbourhood of Rome.
    Synonyms
    murmur, mutter, mumble, low voice, hushed tone, undertone
    1. 1.1 A rumor or piece of gossip.
      whispers of a blossoming romance
      Example sentencesExamples
      • Everywhere she walked, she was accompanied by rumours and whispers.
      • By now, the release of a Catherine Breillat film is a ritual: whispers of scandal give way to full-blown outrage and a polarized critical reception.
      • Hints and whispers had been emerging for months that something was on the cards.
      • The same pattern followed: rumours, whispers, a nudge and wink, but very little in the way of hard evidence to back up theories that ‘they were all at it’.
      • So there are hints, whispers, rumours, emails and questions but, significantly, no answers.
      • Downstairs, the servants are closer to the underbelly of society, the whispers and the rumours.
      • And yet, there are hints and whispers of a brave new phenomenon in the modelling industry.
      • The hints and whispers pointed ever more to Kelly, who friends say believed his name would be kept out of the row.
      • He added: ‘There have been rumours and whispers, but I can say there will be no pay and display parking in Radcliffe.’
      • So, once again, we're into the world of whispers and sources, rumours, winks and knowing nods.
      • They existed as unsung heroes, their deeds of chivalry no more than whispers and rumours among the populace.
      • The crowd's reaction was a mixture of whispers and excited gossip about the newly discovered relative.
      • The game was evenly poised and the stand was full of rumours and whispers of the developing situation at Mansfield Park.
      • Rumours and whispers were circulating last night that he had been on an all day bender since 7am that morning!
      • Nevertheless, there have been whispers of scandal.
      • It was just whispers at first, reminiscent of those early rumours that eventually coalesced into the late-lamented National Post.
      • Already depressed about his marriage, the whispers and false rumours saw Temple plunge into despair, and ultimately suicide.
      • After that win there were the same whispers that Campbell had reported at the Olympics.
      • None of the allegations, hints and whispers lead anywhere.
      • There was a rumour, a whisper, of a deeper malaise in the state.
      Synonyms
      rumour, story, report, speculation, insinuation, suggestion, hint
    2. 1.2literary A soft rustling or murmuring sound.
      the thunder of the surf became a muted whisper
      Example sentencesExamples
      • It came as silently as a whisper of the wind.
      • For a while the only sound was the hushed whisper of the passing river.
      • In the distant night, a whisper of sound caught Yuen's attention.
      • The only sound inside was the soft whisper of dust against the shields.
      • There was no sound besides the light whisper of the breeze.
      • Smiling silently, she listened to the whisper of the wind.
      • It was not a sound either; Ayame was certain it was impossible to hear anything above the soft whispers of the wind and the rush of the water against the shore.
      • The tide was just going out, so the whole beach was calm, not even a whisper of a breeze.
      • The only sound is the faint whisper of the air-conditioning.
      • As the Ladies in Waiting gently assisted the queen on to the wharf there was a whisper of sound like the folds of her dress, like the rustle of dry leaves in a soft wind.
      Synonyms
      rustle, murmur, sigh, moan, sough, whoosh, whir, swish
      babble, burble, purl, lap
    3. 1.3usually in singular A slight trace; a hint.
      he didn't show even a whisper of interest
      Example sentencesExamples
      • He listened to it late at night, huddled with earphones on and shades drawn, to hear music that brought him a whisper of sanity and took him away from the horrors of his day.
      • When not a whisper of a reply came I reached out and gently touched her cheek.
      • One of their airmen had died, yet there wasn't a whisper of regret.
      • The police believed him without a whisper of doubt.
      • How can you just carry me off like this, depriving me of internet access without even a whisper of warning?
      • There was a whisper of TV interest from a ‘major UK network’ today.
      • This season, he has eight goals in 22 games - better than one in three - and yet there is hardly a whisper of a Fowler resurrection.
      • But I am sorry that, in the name of health, we can be dictated to with scarcely a whisper of protest.
      • I haven't heard a whisper of praise about her from any quarter in at least two years, and with good reason.
      • He did after all confess, without a whisper of remorse, to carrying out the bombing.
      • Will a future generation even get a whisper of the political and cultural history that these acres spawned and which defined what is Bombay / Mumbai?
      • In 2002 DeLay was elected majority leader without a whisper of challenge.
      • They lost by five points and returned home without a whisper of dissent.
      • A whisper of mystery turns all eyes to the throne.
      • I could detect a whisper of mint, incredibly refreshing with the lamb.
      • She ungrudgingly accepts her fate without a whisper of frustration.
      • It carries a hint of greed and a whisper of skulduggery.
      • A whisper of a smile played on Amy's lips and Rebecca returned it.
      • What is of interest, however, is that he has suffered barely a whisper of criticism from the left wing media or political classes.
      • For all that, however, we have heard not a whisper of apology from those responsible.
      Synonyms
      trace, scrap, touch, tinge, hint, suggestion, suspicion, soupçon, whiff, inkling, scintilla, whit, spark, glimmer, flicker, atom, speck, bit, ounce, drop, dash, jot, iota, shred, crumb, morsel, fragment, vestige, grain, spot, mite, modicum

Origin

Old English hwisprian, of Germanic origin; related to German wispeln, from the imitative base of whistle.

 
 
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