🍃 A soft sound 🐄 Stealing cattle 📄 Making a soft sound

rustling

3.4

Making a soft sound like leaves when they move

adjective
/ˈrʌslɪŋ/

: susurrante

The rustling leaves created a calming atmosphere in the quiet forest.

Examples

As she turned the pages of the old book, the rustling sound filled the library.
Beyond, trees and shrubs sprout and profusion leaves blurred as though rustling in a breeze.
The child listened to the rustling grass as the wind gently blew through the field.

Synonyms

to ruffle

vsrustling

7 4.2

Disturb a smooth surface so small waves appear

refers to a gentle audible movement rather than an action that disturbs surfaces

to whisper through

vsrustling

Literature

1 4.2

A soft quiet sound that moves through things like wind in grass

describes that gentle sound but without implying movement through things

to sough

vsrustling

Archaic

1 9.9

A soft, low sighing sound made by wind or water

covers that gentle noise more broadly, not only natural elements

to susurrate

vsrustling

Literature

9.9

To make a soft whispering or rustling sound like leaves

is the common, simple way to describe that gentle whispering noise

rustly

vsrustling

6.6

Making a soft sound like leaves rubbing together

focuses on the same gentle moving sound but in everyday wording

soughing

vsrustling

Archaic

9.9

A soft rustling sound that wind makes in trees or leaves

is used for the same gentle noise but not limited to wind

murmuring

vsrustling

4.7

Making a low continuous sound like soft voices or gentle waves

is similar but emphasizes light, whispering movement rather than low continuity

to whiffle

vsrustling

7.3

To move or blow gently, making a soft rustling sound

denotes the same soft sound but without the quick movement focus

to wiffle

vsrustling

8.4

To make a soft swishing sound when something moves quickly through the air

describes the same soft noise but usually from slower, gentler movement

How Loud

to rattle

151 2.2

to swish

20 4.1

rustling

3.4

murmur

36 4.1

whisper

85 2.0

Surface Forms

rustling positive

Morphology

rustling = rustle (transparent) = rustle + ing

Standard present-participle adjective formed from 'rustle' describing something that makes a soft sound; meaning is predictable for learners.

Etymology

Rustling as an adjective comes from the sound-word rustle, which imitates a soft, whispering noise like leaves or paper ('a soft, whispering sound'). So calling something rustling means it is making that gentle, whisper-like sound.