hiss
to make or emit a sharp sound like that of the letter s prolonged, as a snake does, or as steam does when forced under pressure through a small opening.
to express disapproval or contempt by making this sound: The audience hissed when the actor forgot his lines.
to express disapproval of by hissing: The audience hissed the controversial play.
to silence or drive away by hissing (usually followed by away, down, etc.): They hissed down the author when he tried to speak.
to utter with a hiss.
a hissing sound, especially one made in disapproval.
Origin of hiss
1Other words for hiss
Other words from hiss
- hisser, noun
- hiss·ing·ly, adverb
- outhiss, verb (used with object)
- un·hissed, adjective
Words Nearby hiss
Other definitions for Hiss (2 of 2)
Alger, 1904–96, U.S. public official, accused of espionage 1948 and imprisoned for perjury 1950–54.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use hiss in a sentence
The contention was that a sellout was taking place led by, of all people, Richard Nixon, who originally exposed Alger hiss.
The End of the Illusion: America Finally Learns Its Limits | Jacob Heilbrunn | April 30, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTOthers hiss at reporters they disagree with, creating a toxic and tense environment.
When the hiss of reptiles turns to words, you hear something that you have never heard and will never forget.
Back in 2005, for instance, he argued that the U.S. housing bubble was starting to hiss badly.
Smith's method usually gives good results, as does also the more simple method of hiss (p. 263).
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
When it is inconvenient to stain before the smears have dried, capsules can be shown by the method of hiss.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddWith an explosive hiss, gray jets of live steam erupted from pipes around the edge of the room.
And Edom shall be desolate: every one that shall pass by it, shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all its plagues.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousAs the leader finished her remarks Mrs. Haight brought her teeth together with a snap and shot through them a little hiss.
Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
British Dictionary definitions for hiss (1 of 2)
/ (hɪs) /
a voiceless fricative sound like that of a prolonged s
such a sound uttered as an exclamation of derision, contempt, etc, esp by an audience or crowd
electronics receiver noise with a continuous spectrum, caused by thermal agitation, shot noise, etc
an exclamation of derision or disapproval
(intr) to produce or utter a hiss
(tr) to express with a hiss, usually to indicate derision or anger
(tr) to show derision or anger towards (a speaker, performer, etc) by hissing
Origin of hiss
1Derived forms of hiss
- hisser, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Hiss (2 of 2)
/ (hɪs) /
Alger. 1904–96, US government official: imprisoned (1950–54) for perjury in connection with alleged espionage activities
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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