fizzle
Americanverb (used without object)
noun
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a fizzling, hissing, or sputtering.
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Informal. a failure; fiasco.
verb
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to make a hissing or bubbling sound
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informal (often foll by out) to fail or die out, esp after a promising start
noun
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a hissing or bubbling sound; fizz
-
informal an outright failure; fiasco
Etymology
Origin of fizzle
1525–35; earlier fysel to break wind, frequentative of *fise < Old Norse fīsa to break wind; akin to feist
Explanation
When something fizzles, it ends in a slow, sad way. Your bake sale may get off to a great start, only to fizzle once you've sold all the brownies and are left with nothing but oatmeal raisin cookies. The word fizzle has two uses — first, for talking about a failure or disappointment. Your party is a fizzle if no one shows up, and your cheerfulness is bound to fizzle after an experience like that. The second meaning is a hissing or sputtering sound, just like the word itself sounds — like the fizzle of a backyard firework or the fizzle of static on the radio as you switch stations.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was such disappointment for a fiercely loyal set of fans to watch this season fizzle away to relegation.
From BBC • May 25, 2026
The Ebola outbreak could swell into the next great pandemic, or it could be contained and fizzle out, which is certainly the preferable option.
From Salon • May 20, 2026
The e-commerce platform called the offer “neither credible nor attractive” after a rollout by GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen appeared to fizzle.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
But the sizzle soon turned into a fizzle.
From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025
Slowly the bits of anger that were still floating around inside me fizzle out like flat soda.
From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
