hoot

¹ American  

[hoot] / hut /

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.

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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!

idioms

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

   I don't give a hoot.

hoot ² American  

[hoot] / hut /

Or hoots

interjection

Scot. and North England.

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

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hoot ¹ British  

/ 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

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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 British  

/ huːts, huːt /

interjection

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

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hoot ³ British  

/ huːt /

noun

1. a slang word for money

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hoot More Idioms  

1. see not give a damn (hoot).

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Other Word Forms

• hootingly adverb
• unhooted adjective

Etymology

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”)

Example Sentences

Crowds hoot and cheer as the contraptions float into the darkening sky, while referees judge the magnificence of their aerial explosions.

From Barron's • Nov. 1, 2025

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

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2025

Megan says life since the pods has "been a hoot" and the couple are "having the best time ever".

From BBC • Sep. 2, 2025

But as August fare goes, it’s a sticky, sweaty hoot, well cast and paced like a disreputable beach read, even if you might sporadically wish Werner Herzog had gotten first crack at this material.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2025

His scorn for boys who give a hoot about how they look is devastating.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

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