hiss
verb (used without object)
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.
hisses
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pluralof hiss.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof hiss (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
hissverb (used without object)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.
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.
The camera cuts to Elizabeth’s actual surroundings: a New York City apartment, where the radiator clacks and hisses in place of a crackling fire, and the view is brick, not snow-dusted pasture.
From Salon ● Dec. 25, 2025
I’m particularly fond of how the Na’vi express themselves in hisses and coyote yips and exhale the foreign name Jake Sully like a sneeze.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 16, 2025
As the helium hisses out, the volunteers flatten the plastic skin, tucking in Snoopy’s ears or SpongeBob’s nose to prepare for the final roll.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 25, 2025
The only sounds definitively recorded from adult female ostriches were hisses.
From Science Daily ● May 23, 2024
But the cat just narrows his eyes, flattens his one ear, and hisses back at me.
From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
