whisper

chuchotement

Paroles dites si doucement que seule une personne proche peut les entendre.

En anglais simple : Speech in a very soft voice that only someone nearby can hear.

• She spoke in a whisper.
• I could barely hear his whisper.
• Their whispers broke the silence.

Comment l'utiliser : in a whisper (He answered in a whisper.)

Synonymes : murmur

Contraires : shout

Expressions courantes : in a whisper, soft whisper, barely a whisper

rumeur

Information ou idée qui circule discrètement entre les gens et peut être fausse.

En anglais simple : A story or suggestion passed quietly between people that may not be true.

• There are whispers of a strike.
• I heard a whisper about her resignation.
• Whispers of trouble spread through the office.

Comment l'utiliser : whispers of/about something (There were whispers of a possible merger.)

Synonymes : rumor, rumour

Expressions courantes : whisper of something, hear a whisper, whispers about something

soupçon, touche

Très petite quantité de quelque chose ou signe à peine perceptible de sa présence.

En anglais simple : A very small amount or slight sign of something.

• The sauce has a whisper of lemon.
• A whisper of pink colored the morning sky.
• Her smile held a whisper of sadness.

Comment l'utiliser : a whisper of something (The room smelled of roses with a whisper of lavender.)

Synonymes : hint, trace, touch

Expressions courantes : whisper of something, just a whisper

chuchoter

Parler à voix très basse, de façon à être entendu seulement par une personne proche.

En anglais simple : To speak very softly so that only someone close to you can hear.

• Please whisper in the library.
• She whispered a secret to me.
• What were you whispering about?

Comment l'utiliser : whisper something to someone (He whispered the answer to his sister.); whisper in someone’s ear (She whispered in my ear.); whisper that… (He whispered that it was time to leave.)

Synonymes : murmur

Contraires : shout

Expressions courantes : whisper to someone, whisper a secret, whisper something quietly