hiss

Noun

1. A sibilant sound, such as that made by a snake or escaping steam; an unvoiced fricative.
2. An expression of disapproval made using such a sound.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To make a hiss, a sibilant sound of air escaping.
2. (transitive) To call someone by hissing.
3. (intransitive, transitive) To condemn or express contempt (for someone or something) by hissing.
4. (transitive) To utter (something) with a hissing sound.
5. (intransitive) To move with a hissing sound.
6. (transitive) To emit or eject (something) with a hissing sound.
7. (transitive) To whisper, especially angrily or urgently.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/hɪs/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: hissen

Cognate with Middle Dutch: hissen

Cognate with Middle Low German: hissen

In summary

From Middle English hissen, probably of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Middle Dutch hissen, hisschen (“to chase away, shoo”), Middle Low German hissen (“to chase, hound, incite”).

Synonyms

fizz

sizzle

whistle

boo

sibilate

whiz

hoot

hum

catcall

sizz

sputter

fizzle

drone

siss

bird

🐦

spit

jeer

whizz

sibilation

grumble

complain

whoosh

razzing

Bronx cheer

buzz

swish

snort

hushing

hissing

growl

rustle

whisper

razz

raspberry

crack the whip

swosh

zip by

booh

whizz along

valve noise

blow

cackle

call attention to

crackle

deprecate

disapprove

discountenance

disfavor

disfavour

fricative

Translations

siffler

fischiare

zischen

sissen

sibilare

syczeć

fluiten

siseo

fauchen

sifflement

sisear

syk

fischio

sibilo

silvo