Rustle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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rustle

[ˈrʌsəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

sound

Make a soft, muffled crackling sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper.

Synonyms

murmur, swish, whisper, whiz.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
rustle	Used to describe the soft, muffled sound made by things like leaves, paper, or clothing brushing against each other. The fallen leaves rustle gently in the wind She heard a faint rustle as she walked down the quiet street
whisper	Used to describe speaking very softly, usually so only one person can hear, often in a confidential or secretive manner. She leaned in close and whispered a secret to her friend The children were whispering in the back of the classroom
murmur	Commonly used to describe a low, continuous, and indistinct sound, often made by talking softly or by nature such as a stream. He could hear the murmur of the audience as he waited backstage The brook's gentle murmur was soothing
swish	Used to describe the sound of something moving quickly through the air or water, often in a graceful or elegant manner. The basketball swished through the net She heard the swish of the silk dress as she walked
whiz	Used to describe a rapid, high-pitched sound made by something moving quickly through the air. The race car whizzed past the spectators A bullet whizzed by his ear in the heat of battle

Examples of usage

The wind rustled the leaves in the trees.
She heard the rustle of paper as he turned the page.
He could hear the rustling of the grass underfoot.
The leaves rustled in the breeze.
I could hear the rustling of the bushes as the animals moved around.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sound

A soft, muffled crackling sound like that caused by the movement of dry leaves or paper.

Synonyms

murmur, swish, whisper, whiz.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
rustle	This word is suitable for describing soft, light, and quick sounds, particularly those made by leaves, paper, or clothing. The leaves rustled in the wind She gently rustled the papers on her desk
whisper	Used when referring to speaking very quietly and softly, so only a few people can hear. She whispered a secret into his ear He could barely hear the whisper of her voice in the noisy room
murmur	Best used to describe a soft, low, continuous sound, often made by people talking quietly or by the gentle movement of water. The students murmured among themselves We could hear the murmur of the brook as we walked
swish	Appropriate for describing a smooth, quick sound, often produced by something moving swiftly through the air or water. She heard the swish of the basketball going through the net He felt a swish as the curtain moved
whiz	Used to describe a quick, buzzing or humming sound, commonly associated with something moving very fast. Often used informally. The bullet whizzed past his ear She heard a whiz as the drone flew overhead

Examples of usage

The rustle of the leaves was soothing.
She could hear the rustle of the paper as he flipped through the pages.
The rustle of the curtains in the breeze was calming.
There was a faint rustle of fabric as she moved.
The rustle of the trees filled the forest.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Nature

In forests, rustling leaves can signal the presence of animals, from birds flapping their wings to squirrels scurrying.
During autumn, many trees lose their leaves, causing a symphony of rustling as they fall and blanket the ground.

Literature

Many poets and authors use the sound of rustling to evoke feelings of peace or mystery; it’s often described to set the mood.
In children's stories, rustling sounds can indicate adventure, like the movement of magical creatures in the woods.

Sound Studies

Rustling sounds are considered soft, non-threatening noises, often used in relaxation and meditation practices to create a calming atmosphere.
Studies show that background rustling can enhance focus, as it mimics natural ambient sounds that people find comforting.

Cultural References

In many cultures, rustling sounds in nature are linked to folklore and mystical stories where spirits move unseen.
Film soundtracks often include soft rustling to create tension or suspense, making viewers feel more engaged in a scene.

Origin of 'rustle'

Main points about word origin

The word 'rustle' comes from Middle English 'rustlen', which reflects the sound made when leaves or paper move.
Rooted in Old English 'rustlian', it originally described the sound of gentle movements or quick actions.

The word 'rustle' originated from Middle English 'rustlen', which is related to the Middle Dutch 'roestelen' meaning 'to make a rattling noise'. It has been used since the 14th century to describe the soft crackling sound of dry leaves or paper moving. Over time, 'rustle' has become associated with the gentle, soothing sound of movement in nature, such as the rustling of leaves in the wind.

See also: rust, rusted, rustic, rusting, rusty.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,338, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
20335 presuming
20336 abolitionist
20337 identifiers
20338 rustle
20339 disaffected
20340 fingered
20341 unwillingly
...