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Definition of whisker

whisker

/ˈwɪs.kɚ/
whis · ker
Plural:whiskers
•
Adjective:whiskered
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whisker Lexical Profile

whisker Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A long, projecting hair or bristle growing from the face or snout of many mammals, functioning as a highly sensitive tactile organ.

Example

"The cat twitched its whiskers as it investigated the unfamiliar scent in the garden."

2

A very small amount, distance, or margin.

Example

"The reigning champion missed qualifying for the Olympic finals by a mere whisker."

3

The hair growing on a man's face, particularly on the cheeks and chin.

Example

"The old sailor thoughtfully stroked his gray whiskers while gazing out at the stormy sea."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for whisker
Antonyms
View all antonyms for whisker

• Rhymes for whisker

• Nearby Words

whirly
whirlybird
whisk
whisker
whiskered
whiskery
whiskey

Word Origin & Etymology

Late 16th century: from the verb 'whisk' + '-er'. It originally meant 'anything that whisks or sweeps', and was later applied to facial hair due to its brush-like appearance.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Whisker. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/whisker
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