hiss

[ his ]
See synonyms for hiss on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
  1. 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.

  2. to express disapproval or contempt by making this sound: The audience hissed when the actor forgot his lines.

verb (used with object)
  1. to express disapproval of by hissing: The audience hissed the controversial play.

  2. to silence or drive away by hissing (usually followed by away, down, etc.): They hissed down the author when he tried to speak.

  1. to utter with a hiss.

noun
  1. a hissing sound, especially one made in disapproval.

Origin of hiss

1
1350–1400; Middle English hissen; probably imitative; compare Old English hyscan to jeer at, rail (derivative of husc jeering; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German hosc)

Other 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)

Hiss
[ his ]

noun
  1. 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

British Dictionary definitions for hiss (1 of 2)

hiss

/ (hɪs) /


noun
  1. a voiceless fricative sound like that of a prolonged s

  2. such a sound uttered as an exclamation of derision, contempt, etc, esp by an audience or crowd

  1. electronics receiver noise with a continuous spectrum, caused by thermal agitation, shot noise, etc

interjection
  1. an exclamation of derision or disapproval

verb
  1. (intr) to produce or utter a hiss

  2. (tr) to express with a hiss, usually to indicate derision or anger

  1. (tr) to show derision or anger towards (a speaker, performer, etc) by hissing

Origin of hiss

1
C14: of imitative origin

Derived forms of hiss

  • hisser, noun

British Dictionary definitions for Hiss (2 of 2)

Hiss

/ (hɪs) /


noun
  1. 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