What does susurrate mean?
Susurrate means to whisper or speak very softly, and it can also describe a faint, murmuring sound. Its unusual sound makes it especially suited to literary and poetic contexts: wind can susurrate through branches, insects can susurrate in summer foliage, or a person can susurrate a confidential message. The word carries a gentle, secretive quality, suggesting speech meant to be heard only at close range, but it can equally evoke an almost inaudible natural sound. Although it may suggest whispering, it is not necessarily restricted to the deliberate act of speaking quietly. Modern English uses are uncommon, making susurrate more evocative than practical. Its close relatives include the noun susurration, meaning a whispering or murmuring sound, and the adjective susurrous, meaning whispering, murmuring, or rustling.
verbTo speak in a low voice or whisper, especially softly and repeatedly. It can also describe a faint, murmuring sound.
- To speak softly in a whisper.
- To make a faint, continuous murmuring or rustling sound.
"The wind began to susurrate through the tall grass."
"She leaned closer and began to susurrate the child's name."
"Dry leaves susurrated beneath their feet as the procession passed."
Susurrate captures the gentle hush of whispering, and even of sounds that seem to whisper without words.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of susurrate
Susurrate comes from Latin susurrare, meaning “to whisper” or “to mutter,” which was derived from susurrus, “a whisper” or “a murmur.” The word entered English in the early 17th century and has remained literary and comparatively uncommon. Its relatives include the noun susurration and the adjective susurrous, both preserving the same Latin element and its association with whispering sounds.
Related word forms
How susurrate is actually used
This is a rare, literary verb, used chiefly in formal or poetic writing. It conveys a soft, continuous murmur rather than ordinary casual speech.