fizzle
[ fiz-uhl ]
/ ˈfɪz əl /
verb (used without object), fiz·zled, fiz·zling.
to make a hissing or sputtering sound, especially one that dies out weakly.
Informal. to fail ignominiously after a good start (often followed by out): The reform movement fizzled out because of poor leadership.
noun
a fizzling, hissing, or sputtering.
Informal. a failure; fiasco.
Origin of fizzle
1525–35; earlier fysel to break wind, frequentative of *fise < Old Norse fīsa to break wind; akin to feist
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for fizzle
British Dictionary definitions for fizzle
fizzle
/ (ˈfɪzəl) /
verb (intr)
to make a hissing or bubbling sound
(often foll by out) informal to fail or die out, esp after a promising start
noun
a hissing or bubbling sound; fizz
informal an outright failure; fiasco
Word Origin for fizzle
C16: probably from obsolete fist to break wind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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