sizzle

American  

[siz-uhl] / ˈsɪz əl /

verb (used without object)

sizzled, sizzling

1. to make a hissing sound, as in frying or burning.

   Synonyms:

   hiss, crackle, spatter, sputter

2. Informal. to be very hot.

   It's sizzling out.

3. Informal. to be very angry; harbor deep resentment.

   I'm still sizzling over that insult.

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verb (used with object)

sizzled, sizzling

1. to fry or burn with or as if with a hissing sound.

   to sizzle steaks on the grill; The sun sizzles the pavement.

noun

1. a sizzling sound.

sizzle British  

/ ˈsɪzəl /

verb

1. to make the hissing sound characteristic of frying fat

2. informal to be very hot

3. informal to be very angry

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noun

1. a hissing sound

Other Word Forms

• sizzler noun
• sizzlingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of sizzle

1595–1605; imitative; -le

Example Sentences

Let them sizzle lightly in the fat before the crumbs go in; that’s how the spices bloom.

From Salon

Deeply felt longing is its own kind of sizzle.

From The Wall Street Journal

I run toward the smell of sautéed garlic as fast as my legs will take me, but I can hear my sister’s parting words through the noisy sizzle.

From Literature

The silk sizzled and shrank as the handkerchief blazed.

From Literature

"The leads are captivating and their chemistry sizzles," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• broil
• crackle
• fizzle
• grill
• roast
• sear
• sputter