Phrase guide

stage whisper

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈsteɪdʒ ˈwɪs.pə/
  • US: /ˈsteɪdʒ ˈwɪs.pɚ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, theater

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Any loud whisper intended to be overheard.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To perform a stage whisper.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, theater

Examples

  • There is some evidence to suggest that in whispered speech, particularly stage whispered speech, the larynx is raised appreciably.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

a loud whisper that can be overheard; on the stage it is heard by the audience but it supposed to be inaudible to the rest of the cast

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: whisper, whispering, susurration, voicelessness

History

Etymology

stage + whisper

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: apart — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear
  • Finnish: teatterikuiskaus — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear
  • French: aparté — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear
  • Italian: in petto — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear
  • Polish: szept sceniczny — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear
  • Polish: szept teatralny — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear
  • Russian: гро́мкий шёпот (grómkij šópot) — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear
  • Russian: театра́льный шёпот (teatrálʹnyj šópot) — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear
  • Russian: в сто́рону (v stóronu) — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear
  • Swedish: teaterviskning — (theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough for the audience to hear