sizzle

Formssizzles, sizzling, sizzled

Pluralsizzles

1. 1
   verbintransitive

   To make the sharp hissing sound produced when liquid meets a very hot surface.

   Raindrops sizzle when they land on the sun-baked metal roof.

   The steaks sizzled loudly over the open flame.

   Similarhiss, crackle, spit, sputter

   Note

   An echoic word at its root: it probably grew from Middle English sissen, 'to hiss, buzz, hum', with the frequentative suffix -le, which marks a sound repeated over and over. A sizzle is a hiss that keeps going. The food or liquid is the subject and no object follows: sausages sizzle on the barbecue, and rain sizzles on hot metal.

2. 2
   verbcolloquialtransitive

   To cook something over high heat so that it makes a sharp hissing sound.

   They sizzle thin slices of beef on the hot griddle.

   We sizzled the shrimp in garlic butter for a few minutes.

   Similarfry, sear

3. 3
   nouncountable

   The sharp hissing noise produced when liquid meets a hot surface.

   A loud sizzle rose from the pan as the butter melted.

   The sizzle of rain on hot pavement filled the street.

   Similarhiss, crackle, sputter

4. 4
   verbintransitive

   To be exciting, dazzling, or full of energy.

   The romance between the leads sizzles on screen.

   Performances like these sizzle with raw energy.

   Similarsparkle, crackle, fizz, buzz, dazzle

   Oppositefizzle

   Note

   Here the sound has become a quality. What sizzles gives off energy rather than steam. The verb often takes with, which names what the thing is charged with: a song sizzles with energy. The noun carries the same figure in the 'zing' noun, where a performance can have a lot of sizzle.

5. 5
   noununcountable

   Energy, excitement, or flair that makes something stand out.

   The marketing campaign had plenty of sizzle but little substance.

   Her speech brought sizzle to an otherwise dull evening.

   Similarpizzazz, flair, excitement, glamour, zing

6. 6
   nouncolloquialcountable

   A round of cooking something over heat so that it makes a sharp hissing sound.

   A short sizzle in hot oil gives the dumplings a crisp bottom.

   The recipe calls for a brief sizzle before adding the sauce.

   Similarsear, fry

7. 7
   nouncountable or uncountableabbreviationellipsis

   Short form of sizzle reel.

   The producers sent over a sizzle to attract investors.

   Her sizzle landed the network deal.

   Note

   A clipping that drops the second word of sizzle reel, the short promotional video a videographer or animator uses to show off their work. The short form is common in film, television and advertising. It can be countable (sent over a sizzle) or used without an article, like the full phrase it stands for.

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