hiss

HIS/hɪs/

Pluralhisses

Verbhisses, hissing, hissed

7 meanings of hiss

Practice

1
the noisenouncountable
A sibilant sound, like that made by a snake or escaping steam.
The cornered cat answered the dog with a furious hiss.
A faint hiss from the speakers told us the recording had begun.
Similarfizz, sizzle
2
make the noiseverbintransitive
To make a sharp sibilant sound like a snake or escaping air, or to give off steam or gas with such a sound.
Geese hiss to warn intruders away from their nests.
The tire hissed as the air slowly leaked out.
3
angry whisperverbtransitive
To say something in a sharp, sibilant whisper, especially angrily or urgently.
"Don't move," she hissed, pulling him into the shadows.
Leaning across the table, he began to hiss that they had to leave before anyone noticed them.
UsageOften used like say, after the words spoken: "Don't move," she hissed.
Similarwhisper
Oppositeshout, yell
4
verbtransitive or intransitive
To condemn someone or something, or express contempt, by making a hissing sound.
The audience hissed the politician off the stage.
Theatergoers hiss whenever the traitor appears in the second act.
UsageOften hiss someone off the stage.
Similarboo, jeer, heckle, catcall
Oppositecheer, applaud, clap
5
nouncountable
A sibilant sound made to show disapproval or contempt for someone or something.
A loud hiss rose from the gallery when the senator finished speaking.
The villain's entrance drew hisses from every corner of the theater.
Similarboo, jeer, catcall, hoot, raspberry
Oppositecheer, applause
6
verbintransitive
To travel through the air or across a surface while producing a hissing sound.
The bullet hissed past his ear and struck the wall.
Sparks hiss off the grinding wheel and scatter on the floor.
UsageUsually with a word of direction, as in hissed past his ear.
Similarwhistle, whiz, whoosh, zip, fizz

Less common meaning

7
verbtransitive
To summon or get the attention of someone by making a hissing sound.
Hiding behind the curtain, the stage manager hissed at the young actor until he finally looked over.
In the crowded market, vendors hiss at passing tourists and wave them over to see their rugs.
UsageUsually hiss at someone.

Practice

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Origin

The Middle English verb hissen probably began as an imitation of the sound itself. Words that can be compared with it are Middle Dutch hissen, "to shoo or chase away," and Middle Low German hissen, which meant to hound, chase or incite.