hoot

[ hoot ]

/ hut /

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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.

verb (used with object)

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.

noun

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!

OTHER WORDS FOR hoot

1 jeer, boo, hiss.

5 boo, razz.

See synonyms for hoot on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about hoot

not give / care a hoot,Informal. to not care at all: I don't give a hoot.Also not give / care two hoots.

Origin of hoot

First recorded in 1200–1250; Middle English verb houten, whoten; imitative of the sound

OTHER WORDS FROM hoot

hoot·ing·ly, adverbun·hoot·ed, adjective

Words nearby hoot

Hoorn, hoosegow, Hoosier, Hoosier cabinet, Hoosier State, hoot, hootch, hootchinoo, hootchy-kootchy, hootenanny, hooter

Other definitions for hoot (2 of 2)

hoot²

or hoots

[ hoot ]

/ hut /

interjection Scot. and North England.

(used as an expression of impatience, dissatisfaction, objection, or dislike.)

Origin of hoot

First recorded in 1600–10; hoot¹ (in the sense “shout of disapproval or derision”)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hoot in a sentence

Bogusky, who says he has enormous respect for the Olympic athletes themselves, says he can’t remember another time when consumers could look for a symbol that says a company doesn’t really give a hoot about human rights.
Olympic Sponsors Are Banking on Public Indifference to China's Human Rights Abuses|Bruce Horovitz|February 3, 2022|Time
Now there’ll be this big historical marker, which I think is just a hoot.
The FBI break-in that exposed J. Edgar Hoover’s misdeeds to be honored with historical marker|Tom Jackman|September 1, 2021|Washington Post
You might hear the hoot of an owl, the swoosh of a bat’s wings, the croaking of frogs, the sawing of crickets, or even just the wind whispering through grass or trees.
Everything You Need to Know to Take Your Kids Stargazing|lwhelan|July 18, 2021|Outside Online
Mager initially had made hoots and sounds like those of loon chicks in hopes that would attract the bird.
How a group of strangers came together to rescue a lonely loon on a small lake in Virginia|Dana Hedgpeth|May 28, 2021|Washington Post

Just before sunrise, we were woken by a cacophony of hoots and realized that every single one of those cacti was home to an owl.
How to Choose Your Own Adventure in Baja|Wes Siler|March 9, 2021|Outside Online
Hooters is cleverly asking me to “Give a Hoot” about breast cancer.
The Misogynistic Companies Jumping On The Breast Cancer Bandwagon|Emily Shire|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lawrence is a freaking hoot in American Hustle, who takes her Big Scenes and sets them on fire.
The Tightest Oscar Race: Jennifer Lawrence vs. Lupita Nyong’o for Best Supporting Actress|Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I thought you were a hoot on Community as the lawyer for the estate of Pierce.
Kentucky’s Finest Antihero: Walton Goggins on Justified’s Chameleon Villain|Allen Barra|February 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The first four letters in hootenanny spell hoot -- and The Seeger Sessions was fun -- with a purpose.
Springsteen, Seeger, and the Joy of Political Music|Howard Wolfson|February 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Explosion at the Wig Factory was about as big of a hoot as you can comfortably call a tragedy like an explosion.
‘American Hustle’ Is Overrated|Kevin Fallon|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now men laughed at him, pointed to him with their fingers, and made their children mock and hoot the penniless insolvent.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
And there was music in all the saloons and restaurants; it rose and fell with the noise of the tin horn and the hoot of the happy.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
When the owls beat their wings and gave the mating call and hoot, it was like a foam of noise rising over a river of silence.
Kari the Elephant|Dhan Gopal Mukerji
The soft hoot of a little owl came through the dusk, and between its calls the men's voices rose and fell.
Summer|Edith Wharton
The owl, whose matin hoot announces the appearance of the sun, had already given its melancholy note.
The Border Rifles|Gustave Aimard

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (1 of 3)

hoot¹

/ (huːt) /

noun

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 thingthe weekend was a hoot

not give a hoot not to care at all

verb

(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

Word Origin for hoot

C13 hoten, of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (2 of 3)

hoot²

hoots (huːts)

/ (huːt) /

interjection

an exclamation of impatience or dissatisfaction: a supposed Scotticism

Word Origin for hoot

C17: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (3 of 3)

hoot³

/ (huːt) /

noun

Australian and NZ a slang word for money

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with hoot

hoot

see not give a damn (hoot).

hoot

OTHER WORDS FOR hoot

Idioms about hoot

Origin of hoot

OTHER WORDS FROM hoot

Words nearby hoot

Other definitions for hoot (2 of 2)

or hoots

Origin of hoot

Words related to hoot

How to use hoot in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (1 of 3)

Word Origin for hoot

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (2 of 3)

hoots (huːts)

Word Origin for hoot

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (3 of 3)

Word Origin for hoot

Other Idioms and Phrases with hoot