Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for hoot on Thesaurus.com verb (used without object) to cry out or shout, especially in disapproval or derision. to utter the cry characteristic of an owl. to utter a similar sound. Chiefly British to blow a horn or whistle; toot. Show More
to assail with shouts of disapproval or derision: The fans hooted the umpire. to drive out, off, or away by hooting. to express in hoots: The crowd hooted its disagreement with the speaker. Show More
the cry of an owl. any similar sound, as an inarticulate shout. a cry or shout, especially of disapproval or derision. British a horn, siren, or whistle, especially a factory whistle. Informal the least bit of concern, interest, or thought; trifle: His religion doesn't matter a hoot to me. Slang an extremely funny person, situation, or event: Your cousin is such a hoot! Show More
not give /care a hoot, Informal .to not care at all: I don't give a hoot. Also not give /care two hoots. Show More
Origin of hoot 1 1150–1200; Middle English hoten, huten, houten (verb); perhaps imitative
Related forms hoot·ing·ly , adverb un·hoot·ed , adjective interjection Scot. and North England (used as an expression of impatience, dissatisfaction, objection, or dislike.) Show More
Origin of hoot 2 1675–85; compare Swedish hut, Welsh hwt, Irish ut begone!
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hoot Contemporary Examples of hoot Hoot ers is cleverly asking me to “Give a Hoot ” about breast cancer.
I thought you were a hoot on Community as the lawyer for the estate of Pierce.
The Explosion at the Wig Factory was about as big of a hoot as you can comfortably call a tragedy like an explosion.
The Palestinian Authority didn't give a hoot what the reasons were.
“ John F. Kennedy Jr. was a hoot to do at his first convention,” Sheehan says.
Historical Examples of hoot Anyway, we can tell in a minute or two, 'cause them owls are sure to hoot again.
But I thought that there was a hoot of laughter in the high wail of the wind.
It was between nine and ten o'clock that Jack heard the hoot of an owl.
Take away the castles, and not even a German would give a hoot for it.
He grinned to himself, and just then the hoot of an owl sounded.
British Dictionary definitions for hoot the mournful wavering cry of some owls a similar sound, such as that of a train whistle a jeer of derision informal an amusing person or thing the weekend was a hoot not give a hoot not to care at all Show More
(often foll by at) to jeer or yell (something) contemptuously (at someone) (tr) to drive (political speakers, actors on stage, etc) off or away by hooting (intr) to make a hoot (intr) British to blow a horn Show More
Word Origin for hoot C13 hoten, of imitative origin
an exclamation of impatience or dissatisfaction: a supposed Scotticism Show More
Word Origin for hoot C17: of unknown origin
Australian and NZ a slang word for money Show More
Word Origin for hoot from Māori utu price
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
Word Origin and History for hoot v. "to call or shout in disapproval or scorn," c.1600, probably related to or from huten , "to shout, call out" (c.1200), probably ultimately imitative. First used of bird cries, especially that of the owl, mid-15c. Related: Hooted ; hooting . As a noun from mid-15c. Meaning "a laugh, something funny" is first recorded 1942. Slang sense of "smallest amount or particle" (The hoot you don't give when you don't care) is from 1891.
"A dod blasted ole fool!" answered the captain, who, till now, had been merely an amused on-looker. "Ye know all this rumpus wont do nobuddy a hoot o' good--not a hoot." ["Alonge Traverse Shores," Traverse City, Michigan, 1891] Hooter in the same sense is from 1839.
HOOTER . Probably a corruption of iota . Common in New York in such phrases as "I don't care a hooter for him." "This note ain't worth a hooter." [John Russell Bartlett, "Dictionary of Americanisms," 1877] Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with hoot see not give a damn (hoot).
Show More
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
