Susurrus
noun /suːˈsɜː.rəs/ — A soft whispering or rustling sound
Definition
A murmuring or rustling sound, as of wind through leaves or low voices in a room — sound that is present without demanding attention.
Beyond the definition
The background music of the living world. A susurrus makes you aware that silence is not actually silence — it is the accumulation of small sounds.
Origin & history
Directly from Latin 'susurrus' (a whispering, a murmuring, a buzzing). One of those words that retained its original Latin form intact into English.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She could hear the susurrus of other diners — not words, just the warm ambient murmur of a full room.
The susurrus of wind through the reeds was the only sound that night.
Libraries have a particular susurrus — pages, breath, the soft percussion of thought.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Susurrus” when the meaning fits your context: A murmuring or rustling sound, as of wind through leaves or low voices in a room — sound that is present without demanding attention.
Synonyms
murmur, whisper, rustle, sibilance, undertone
Antonyms
clamour, roar, silence
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Susurrus" mean?
Susurrus is noun meaning: A soft whispering or rustling sound. A murmuring or rustling sound, as of wind through leaves or low voices in a room — sound that is present without demanding attention.
Where does the word "Susurrus" come from?
Directly from Latin 'susurrus' (a whispering, a murmuring, a buzzing). One of those words that retained its original Latin form intact into English.