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Whisper vs Swish - What's the difference?

whisper | swish |

In transitive terms the difference between whisper and swish

is that whisper is to mention privately and confidentially, or in a whisper while swish is to flourish with a swishing sound.

As nouns the difference between whisper and swish

is that whisper is the act of speaking in a quiet voice, especially, without vibration of the vocal cords while swish is a short rustling, hissing or whistling sound, often made by friction.

As verbs the difference between whisper and swish

is that whisper is 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 while swish is to make a rustling sound while moving.

As an adjective swish is

sophisticated; fashionable; smooth.

whisper

English

Noun

(Whispering) (en noun)
  • The act of speaking in a quiet voice, especially, without vibration of the vocal cords.
  • * 1883 , :
    • "Now, look here, Jim Hawkins," he said, in a steady whisper , that was no more than audible.
  • (usually in plural) A rumor.
    • There are whispers of rebellion all around.
  • (figurative) A faint trace or hint (of something).
    • The soup had just a whisper of basil.
  • (internet) A private message to an individual in a chat room.
  • * 2002 , Ralph Schroeder, The Social Life of Avatars (page 218)
    • The invisibility of private interactions in the form of whispers resolved an ethical concern in the research but reduced our ability to gauge the volume of interaction
  • * 2004 , Caroline A. Haythornthwaite, Michelle M. Kazmer, Learning, Culture and Community in Online Education (page 179)
    • Anyone logged in to the chat room can click on an individual name, highlighting it, and send a message — a whisper — that will be seen only by the selected person.

    Derived terms

    * stage whisper * whisper campaign

    Verb

    (en 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.
  • To mention privately and confidentially, or in a whisper.
  • * Bentley
    • They might buzz and whisper it one to another.
  • To make a low, sibilant sound.
  • * Thomson
    • the hollow, whispering breeze
  • To speak with suspicion or timorous caution; to converse in whispers, as in secret plotting.
  • * Bible, Psalms xli. 7
    • All that hate me whisper together against me.
  • (obsolete) To address in a whisper, or low voice.
  • * Shakespeare
    • and whisper one another in the ear
  • * Keble
    • where gentlest breezes whisper souls distressed
  • (obsolete) To prompt secretly or cautiously; to inform privately.
  • * Shakespeare
    • He came to whisper Wolsey.

    swish

    English

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • (British, colloquial) sophisticated; fashionable; smooth.
    • This restaurant looks very swish — it even has linen tablecloths.
  • Attractive, stylish
  • * 2014 , , " Southampton hammer eight past hapless Sunderland in barmy encounter", The Guardian , 18 October 2014:
    • The Saints, who started the day third in the table, went marching on thanks to their own swish play and some staggering defending by the visitors.
  • effeminate.

    • Noun

    (es)
  • A short rustling, hissing or whistling sound, often made by friction.
  • A sound of liquid flowing inside a container.
  • *1898 , , (Moonfleet) Chapter 4
  • *:There were four or five men in the vault already, and I could hear more coming down the passage, and guessed from their heavy footsteps that they were carrying burdens. There was a sound, too, of dumping kegs down on the ground, with a swish of liquor inside them, and then the noise of casks being moved.
  • A movement of an animal's tail
  • A twig or bundle of twigs, used for administering beatings; a switch
  • (basketball) A successful basketball shot that does not touch the rim or backboard.
  • An effeminate male homosexual.

    • Related terms

    * swoosh * whoosh

    Verb

    (es)
  • To make a rustling sound while moving.
    • The cane swishes .
  • To flourish with a swishing sound.
    • to swish a cane back and forth
    (Coleridge)
  • (transitive, slang, dated) To flog; to lash.
    • (Thackeray)
  • (basketball) To make a successful basketball shot that does not touch the rim or backboard.
  • (gay slang) To mince or otherwise to behave in an effeminate manner.
    • I shall not swish ; I'll merely act limp-wristed.