Whisker
noun
A long thin hair that grows from the face or body of many animals.
The cat's whiskers twitched as it smelled the fish.
Often appears as...
- cat's whiskers
- twitching whiskers
noun
A slight trace or small amount.
I won by a whisker in the race.
Often appears as...
- win by a whisker
- lose by a whisker
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
One of the long projecting hairs or bristles on the face of a cat, rat, etc.
He could see the rat's whiskers twitching in the dark.
Often appears as...
- rat's whiskers
- touch with whiskers
noun
Very fine hair on a person's face.
He had a whisker of a moustache.
Often appears as...
- grow a whisker
- shave whiskers
noun
A long thin hair that grows from the face or body of many animals.
The cat's whiskers twitched as it smelled the fish.
Often appears as...
- cat's whiskers
- twitching whiskers
noun
A slight trace or small amount.
I won by a whisker in the race.
Often appears as...
- win by a whisker
- lose by a whisker
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
One of the long projecting hairs or bristles on the face of a cat, rat, etc.
He could see the rat's whiskers twitching in the dark.
Often appears as...
- rat's whiskers
- touch with whiskers
noun
Very fine hair on a person's face.
He had a whisker of a moustache.
Often appears as...
- grow a whisker
- shave whiskers
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Animal Sensory Hairs
Whiskers on animals provide sensory information; they're not just for looks.
When navigating tight spaces, a mouse uses its whiskers to feel the way.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Regular Fur
Animal whiskers are different from their fur; they're thicker and more sensitive.
The dog's whiskers quivered, detecting even the slightest breeze.
Pro Tip 1/2Animal Sensory Hairs
Whiskers on animals provide sensory information; they're not just for looks.
When navigating tight spaces, a mouse uses its whiskers to feel the way.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Regular Fur
Animal whiskers are different from their fur; they're thicker and more sensitive.
The dog's whiskers quivered, detecting even the slightest breeze.
Pro Tip 1/2Animal Sensory Hairs
Whiskers on animals provide sensory information; they're not just for looks.
When navigating tight spaces, a mouse uses its whiskers to feel the way.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Regular Fur
Animal whiskers are different from their fur; they're thicker and more sensitive.
The dog's whiskers quivered, detecting even the slightest breeze.
Never forget "Whisker"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Drew Berry: Animations...
The other strand is bundled up into the other sausage. These things that look like whiskers that are sticking out from either side are the dynamic scaffolding of the cell. They're called microtubules, that name's not important. But we're going to focus on the region labeled red here -- and it's the interface between the dynamic scaffolding and the chromosomes.
Video examples
Best of Tiny Animals PIPE...
scorpion not by looking but by just like feeling the vibrations by its whiskers that makes it a superhero it's a very territorial animal it's a very aggressive animal actually and rather like a wolf it protects or it defends its territory by howling at the moon so the little creature walks up onto a
Video examples
How Do Cats Use Their...
It really is very, very quick. I've seen still photographs of it happening, but there's nothing like actually seeing the whole motion. So, I think we got it there, but it is very, very quick. John's trying to observe the cat's whiskers as they move forward into the attack position.
Video examples
Rescuing Adorable Grey...
sealed species on earth and the uk has a globally important population they're known to have exceptional senses such as eyesight hearing and highly sensitive whiskers which they use to detect movements underwater but also communicate with
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
there's nothing like actually seeing the whole motion so I think we got it there but it's very very very quick John's trying to observe the cat's whiskers as they move forward into the attack position let's just take the toy away
Video examples
How to talk (and listen)...
is usually hormone replacement therapy. Hormones are why I have a deeper voice and some sparse whiskers on my neck and a giant pimple on my chin. Basically, they put you through a second puberty it's a blast.
Video examples
The lovable (and lethal)...
Their whiskers, or vibrissae, are composed of keratin and full of nerve fibers that run deep into the connective tissue of their face. Sea lions have full directional control over these whiskers,
Video examples
Top 5 Animal Superpowers!...
but it's very very very quick John's trying to observe the cat's whiskers as they move forward into the Attack Position let's just take the toy away
Video examples
Cuba's Animal Underworld...
and cuba is their stronghold they're nimble climbers and have long whiskers to help them feel their way around the limestone alleys in the dark
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 325 PIPE...
if you're seeing his whiskers there he's got such nice long whiskers and four cats that's a very very important thing
Video examples
Drew Berry: Animations...
The other strand is bundled up into the other sausage. These things that look like whiskers that are sticking out from either side are the dynamic scaffolding of the cell. They're called microtubules, that name's not important. But we're going to focus on the region labeled red here -- and it's the interface between the dynamic scaffolding and the chromosomes.
Video examples
Best of Tiny Animals PIPE...
scorpion not by looking but by just like feeling the vibrations by its whiskers that makes it a superhero it's a very territorial animal it's a very aggressive animal actually and rather like a wolf it protects or it defends its territory by howling at the moon so the little creature walks up onto a
Video examples
How Do Cats Use Their...
It really is very, very quick. I've seen still photographs of it happening, but there's nothing like actually seeing the whole motion. So, I think we got it there, but it is very, very quick. John's trying to observe the cat's whiskers as they move forward into the attack position.
Video examples
Rescuing Adorable Grey...
sealed species on earth and the uk has a globally important population they're known to have exceptional senses such as eyesight hearing and highly sensitive whiskers which they use to detect movements underwater but also communicate with
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
there's nothing like actually seeing the whole motion so I think we got it there but it's very very very quick John's trying to observe the cat's whiskers as they move forward into the attack position let's just take the toy away
Video examples
How to talk (and listen)...
is usually hormone replacement therapy. Hormones are why I have a deeper voice and some sparse whiskers on my neck and a giant pimple on my chin. Basically, they put you through a second puberty it's a blast.
Video examples
The lovable (and lethal)...
Their whiskers, or vibrissae, are composed of keratin and full of nerve fibers that run deep into the connective tissue of their face. Sea lions have full directional control over these whiskers,
Video examples
Top 5 Animal Superpowers!...
but it's very very very quick John's trying to observe the cat's whiskers as they move forward into the Attack Position let's just take the toy away
Video examples
Cuba's Animal Underworld...
and cuba is their stronghold they're nimble climbers and have long whiskers to help them feel their way around the limestone alleys in the dark
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 325 PIPE...
if you're seeing his whiskers there he's got such nice long whiskers and four cats that's a very very important thing
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Sloane Crosley
American Writer
There is no such thing as a crazy dog person in New York. Are there people who are completely insane about their dogs? Hordes. But cat people may as well have whiskers and tails themselves. That's because their pets' lack of social need taps straight into our worst fears as the human inhabitants of New York.
Quote examples
Seth Shostak
American Scientist
Heads are a good deal, and I think they would be a common feature. It's hard to think of species that don't have heads, although there are some. It's good to have a head because it puts some of the sensory organs - eyes, ears, whiskers or whatever - next to the CPU, the brain.
Quote examples
David Roberts
The United States came within a whisker of invading Utah in 1858 and starting a civil war three years before the Civil War. Because the conflict ended up fizzling out, it's not the most dramatic story about the West.
Quote examples
Alexander Armstrong
English Actor
So, if I ever find myself hankering for the long, respectful silences of the olden days, I remind myself that classical music broadcasting was a whisker away from becoming one long silence itself.
Quote examples
Helen Craig
English Writer
Mice are very difficult to do front on, but they have nicely human little hands and feet, and whiskers and tails are great for expressing emotion.
Quote examples
Lincoln Chafee
American Politician
In the executive branch, winning by a whisker is as good as winning in a landslide, but not so in the Senate.
Quote examples
Herman J. Mankiewicz
American Writer
You know it's hard to hear what a bearded man is saying. He can't speak above a whisker.
Quote examples
Steve Young
American Athlete
I can hit the whiskers on a cat with a football from a distance of forty yards.
Quote examples
P. T. Usha
Indian Athlete
If I missed bronze by whisker, it was due to lack of experience.
Quote examples
Sloane Crosley
American Writer
There is no such thing as a crazy dog person in New York. Are there people who are completely insane about their dogs? Hordes. But cat people may as well have whiskers and tails themselves. That's because their pets' lack of social need taps straight into our worst fears as the human inhabitants of New York.
Quote examples
Seth Shostak
American Scientist
Heads are a good deal, and I think they would be a common feature. It's hard to think of species that don't have heads, although there are some. It's good to have a head because it puts some of the sensory organs - eyes, ears, whiskers or whatever - next to the CPU, the brain.
Quote examples
David Roberts
The United States came within a whisker of invading Utah in 1858 and starting a civil war three years before the Civil War. Because the conflict ended up fizzling out, it's not the most dramatic story about the West.
Quote examples
Alexander Armstrong
English Actor
So, if I ever find myself hankering for the long, respectful silences of the olden days, I remind myself that classical music broadcasting was a whisker away from becoming one long silence itself.
Quote examples
Helen Craig
English Writer
Mice are very difficult to do front on, but they have nicely human little hands and feet, and whiskers and tails are great for expressing emotion.
Quote examples
Lincoln Chafee
American Politician
In the executive branch, winning by a whisker is as good as winning in a landslide, but not so in the Senate.
Quote examples
Herman J. Mankiewicz
American Writer
You know it's hard to hear what a bearded man is saying. He can't speak above a whisker.
Quote examples
Steve Young
American Athlete
I can hit the whiskers on a cat with a football from a distance of forty yards.
Quote examples
P. T. Usha
Indian Athlete
If I missed bronze by whisker, it was due to lack of experience.
Example 1 of 9
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension