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!

SYNONYMS FOR hoot

1, 5 jeer, boo, hiss.

5 razz.

See synonyms for hoot on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!

Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

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Idioms for 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 hoten, huten, houten; 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

Definition 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

1675–85; compare Swedish hut,Welsh hwt,Irish ut begone!

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for hoot

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

Idioms and Phrases with hoot

hoot

see not give a damn (hoot).

MEANINGS

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hoot

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

SYNONYMS FOR hoot

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Idioms for hoot

Origin of hoot

OTHER WORDS FROM hoot

Words nearby hoot

Definition for hoot (2 of 2)

or hoots

interjection Scot. and North England.

Origin of hoot

Example sentences from the Web for hoot

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (1 of 3)

noun

verb

Word Origin for hoot

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (2 of 3)

hoots (huːts)

interjection

Word Origin for hoot

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (3 of 3)

noun

Word Origin for hoot

Idioms and Phrases with hoot

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

hoot

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

SYNONYMS FOR hoot

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Idioms for hoot

Origin of hoot

OTHER WORDS FROM hoot

Words nearby hoot

Definition for hoot (2 of 2)

or hoots

interjection Scot. and North England.

Origin of hoot

Words related to hoot

Example sentences from the Web for hoot

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (1 of 3)

noun

verb

Word Origin for hoot

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (2 of 3)

hoots (huːts)

interjection

Word Origin for hoot

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (3 of 3)

noun

Word Origin for hoot

Idioms and Phrases with hoot