[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/whisker/)

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# whisker

noun (a whisker, whiskers)

«whisker» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. One of the long stiff hairs that grow near the mouth of a cat, a mouse, a seal and many other animals, used to feel things. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#m1)
2. (whiskers) Hair growing on a man's face. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#m2)
3. (informal) A very small amount or distance: "by a whisker" means only just. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science lessons, whiskers help animals such as cats feel their way in the dark and judge if they can fit through a gap. In sport and everyday talk, "won by a whisker" means won by a tiny amount. Phrases: "by a whisker", "within a whisker of", "the cat's whiskers" (old-fashioned: the very best).

### Examples

- The cat's whiskers twitched as it smelled the fish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#x1)
- Whiskers help a cat feel its way in the dark. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#x2)
- We won the race by a whisker. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#x3)
- She came within a whisker of beating the record. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#x4)
- Grandpa had grey whiskers on his chin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#x5)
- The mouse cleaned its whiskers with its paws. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#x6)
- Seals use their whiskers to find fish in murky water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#x7)
- In a moment not a tail or a whisker was to be seen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/#x8)

### Note

Countable: a whisker, whiskers. "Whiskered" means having whiskers. Do not confuse with "whisky" (an alcoholic drink) or "whisk" (a kitchen tool). Never cut a cat's whiskers; it needs them.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «whisker» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whisker/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«whisker» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/whisker.html) on Mova free.