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

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

“I am now a grandmother,” she said to hoots from the audience.
If Clinton Runs for President, Cuomo’s on Board|David Freedlander|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Three actually, each occasion without fail receiving raucous hoots and holler from the audience.
‘Saturday Night Live’ Premiere: New Cast Members, Same Boring Show|Kevin Fallon|September 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.
Jake Gyllenhaal and More Actors Stand Up for Vet Awareness|Alyse Walsh|May 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Lastly, at his speech last night, Cruz got lots of hoots and hollers for his stump speech about guns/growth/freedom.
Why Does Ted Cruz Inspire Such Animosity?|David Frum|May 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST

She crawls inside his shirt and gropes him, to deafening hoots.
Why Enrique Iglesias Is Still Hot|Ramin Setoodeh|December 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He was greeted by hoots and jeers, but with absolute imperturbability he reorganised his forces and checked the enemy.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Captain Mayo pulled the cord oftener and sounded more prolonged, more imperious hoots.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
With outlandish hoots and yells, he posed the group and took several snapshots, which they were to call for later.
Patty's Friends|Carolyn Wells
The moon began to move over toward the west, and the only sounds heard were the hoots of owls or the barking of foxes.
The Motor Boys Overland|Clarence Young
"Hoots," she cried, and seizing him by the arm dragged him close to the child, who was alarmed and clung to Ma.
The White Queen of Okoyong|W.P. Livingstone

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

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