English Meaning & Definitions
The long, stiff projecting hairs growing on the face of a cat, mouse, or other mammal, typically used as feelers.
- “The cat twitched its white whiskers as it watched the mouse hole.”
- “A seal uses its sensitive whiskers to detect prey in murky water.”
The hair growing on a man's face, especially on the cheeks or sides of the chin (sideburns).
- “He rubbed his hand over the gray whiskers on his jaw.”
- “The old sailor had a thick growth of whiskers framing his weathered face.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “whiskers”.
Derived from 'whisker', which originated in the late 16th century (originally meaning something that moves rapidly or sweeps, or a person/thing that is large). It is related to 'whisk' (from Old Norse 'viska', meaning a wisp or brush). The application to the long, stiff facial hair of cats and other animals developed in the early 17th century due to their resemblance to small brushes.
Cats use their whiskers to 'whisk' through tight spaces safely.
Frequently Asked Questions About “whiskers”
1. What is the meaning of “whiskers” in English?
In English, whiskers (noun) is defined as: “The long, stiff projecting hairs growing on the face of a cat, mouse, or other mammal, typically used as feelers.”.
2. How do you use “whiskers” in a sentence?
“The cat twitched its white whiskers as it watched the mouse hole.”
3. What are English synonyms of “whiskers”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “whiskers”?
Derived from 'whisker', which originated in the late 16th century (originally meaning something that moves rapidly or sweeps, or a person/thing that is large). It is related to 'whisk' (from Old Norse 'viska', meaning a wisp or brush). The application to the long, stiff facial hair of cats and other animals developed in the early 17th century due to their resemblance to small brushes.
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