hoot

¹

[hoot]

verb (used without object)

1. to cry out or shout, especially in disapproval or derision.

   Synonyms: hiss, boo, jeer

2. to utter the cry characteristic of an owl.

3. to utter a similar sound.

4. Chiefly British.,  to blow a horn or whistle; toot.

verb (used with object)

1. to assail with shouts of disapproval or derision.

   The fans hooted the umpire.

   Synonyms: razz, boo

2. to drive out, off, or away by hooting.

3. to express in hoots.

   The crowd hooted its disagreement with the speaker.

noun

1. the cry of an owl.

2. any similar sound, as an inarticulate shout.

3. a cry or shout, especially of disapproval or derision.

4. British.,  a horn, siren, or whistle, especially a factory whistle.

5. Informal.,  the least bit of concern, interest, or thought; trifle.

   His religion doesn't matter a hoot to me.

6. Slang.,  an extremely funny person, situation, or event.

   Your cousin is such a hoot!

hoot

²

Or hoots

[hoot]

interjection

Scot. and North England.

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

hoot

¹

/ huːt /

noun

1. the mournful wavering cry of some owls

2. a similar sound, such as that of a train whistle

3. a jeer of derision

4. informal,  an amusing person or thing

   the weekend was a hoot

5. not to care at all

verb

1. (often foll by at) to jeer or yell (something) contemptuously (at someone)

2. (tr) to drive (political speakers, actors on stage, etc) off or away by hooting

3. (intr) to make a hoot

4. (intr) to blow a horn

hoot

²

/ huːts, huːt /

interjection

1. an exclamation of impatience or dissatisfaction: a supposed Scotticism

hoot

³

/ huːt /

noun

1. a slang word for money

Other Word Forms

• hootingly adverb
• unhooted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoot¹

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

Origin of hoot²

First recorded in 1600–10; hoot ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “shout of disapproval or derision”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoot¹

C13 hoten, of imitative origin

Origin of hoot²

C17: of unknown origin

Origin of hoot³

from Māori utu price

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. not give / care a hoot, to not care at all: null not givecare two hoots.

   I don't give a hoot.

see not give a damn (hoot).

Example Sentences

When I shared this story with a friend, she gave a small, sympathetic hoot and said, “Do you want to hear how many times I’ve misplaced my phone this week?”

From Salon

The audience in Dallas — the city where the comedian began her stand-up career and later set her self-titled network sitcom — hoots and hollers in response.

From Los Angeles Times

A crowd came out waving blue and yellow national flags, cheering as the buses carrying the freed men passed hooting their horns.

From BBC

But us football fans must recognize that not everyone hoots and hollers for the conversion on a long third down or a legendary pick six.

From Salon

Heard less for the testimony than to hoot at the accompanying circus.

From Salon

Related Words

• boo 
• heckle 
• hiss 
• howl 
• jeer 
• scream 
• whistle