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Hushing: meaning, definitions and examples

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hushing

 

[ ˈhʌʃɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

sound reduction

Hushing refers to the act of making something quiet or reducing sound. This can involve speaking softly or creating an environment that minimizes noise.

Synonyms

muffling, quieting, silencing.

Examples of usage

  • She hushed the crowd before beginning her speech.
  • The librarian hushed the students in the library.
  • He hushed the dog to stop it from barking.
  • Hushing the music, they listened to the calm evening.
  • Parents often hush their children at bedtime.
Context #2 | Verb

reassuring

Hushing can also imply soothing someone, often used to comfort a person or animal who is upset. It involves calm and gentle sounds or words.

Synonyms

calming, comforting, soothing.

Examples of usage

  • She hushed the baby to sleep with a lullaby.
  • He hushed his friend, helping her feel better.
  • The caregiver hushed the frightened cat.
  • They hushed him softly after the scary story.
  • Grandma hushed the children during the storm.

Translations

Translations of the word "hushing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 silenciamento

🇮🇳 चुप कराना

🇩🇪 zum Schweigen bringen

🇮🇩 menghentikan suara

🇺🇦 приховування звуку

🇵🇱 uciszenie

🇯🇵 黙らせること

🇫🇷 faire taire

🇪🇸 silenciar

🇹🇷 susturma

🇰🇷 조용하게 하다

🇸🇦 إسكات

🇨🇿 utlumit

🇸🇰 utíšiť

🇨🇳 使安静

🇸🇮 utišati

🇮🇸 þagga niður

🇰🇿 тыныштандыру

🇬🇪 დუმილის დადება

🇦🇿 susdurma

🇲🇽 silenciar

Etymology

The word 'hushing' comes from the English verb 'hush', which dates back to the early 16th century. It is thought to have originated from a representation of the sound made when someone puts a finger to their lips to indicate silence—a soft, sibilant sound meant to quiet others. The term has evolved over time to encapsulate not only the physical act of quieting but also the emotional aspect of comforting and reassuring someone in distress. The use of 'hush' has been common in both verbal and written forms across various English dialects and has found its way into idiomatic expressions, often conveying gentleness and care.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,614, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.