hiss

¹ American  

[his] / hɪs /

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.

   Synonyms:

   heckle, razz, boo

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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.

   Synonyms:

   heckle, razz, boo

3. to utter with a hiss.

noun

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

Hiss ² American  

[his] / hɪs /

noun

1. Alger, 1904–96, U.S. public official, accused of espionage 1948 and imprisoned for perjury 1950–54.

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hiss ¹ British  

/ 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

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

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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

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

Hiss ² British  

/ hɪs /

noun

1. Alger. 1904–96, US government official: imprisoned (1950–54) for perjury in connection with alleged espionage activities

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Other Word Forms

• hisser noun
• hissingly adverb
• outhiss verb (used with object)
• unhissed adjective

Etymology

Origin of hiss

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 )

Example Sentences

The theater reopened this past weekend with “The Great Bank Robbery,” a 30-minute-plus show in which audiences are encouraged to boo, hiss and swoon over the characters, a Bird Cage tradition since 1954.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

As Aggie explodes at this overreach, you can almost hear Nile’s inner voice exuberantly hiss, “Bingo.”

From Salon • Nov. 19, 2025

“Not My World” is one of the better tracks on the record because it leans minimal, letting the hiss and click of the rhythm bump against a buzzing synth that almost risks irritation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

A hiss and puff of compressed air shapes the smooth leather, bringing to life an all-American cowboy boot in a factory on China's eastern coast.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2025

The steam engine gave another hiss, and the wheels began to roll.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

• boo
• hoot
• jeer
• seethe
• shout down
• spit
• wheeze
• whirr
• whisper
• whistle