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Synonyms

hiss

1 American  
[his] / hɪs /

verb (used without object)

  1. to make or emit a sharp sound like that of the letter s prolonged, as a snake does, or as steam does when forced under pressure through a small opening.

  2. to express disapproval or contempt by making this sound.

    The audience hissed when the actor forgot his lines.
    Synonyms:
    heckle, razz, boo

verb (used with object)

  1. to express disapproval of by hissing.

    The audience hissed the controversial play.

  2. to silence or drive away by hissing (usually followed by away, down, etc.).

    They hissed down the author when he tried to speak.
    Synonyms:
    heckle, razz, boo

  3. to utter with a hiss.

noun

  1. a hissing sound, especially one made in disapproval.

Hiss 2 American  
[his] / hɪs /

noun

  1. Alger, 1904–96, U.S. public official, accused of espionage 1948 and imprisoned for perjury 1950–54.

hiss 1 British  
/ hɪs /

noun

  1. a voiceless fricative sound like that of a prolonged s

  2. such a sound uttered as an exclamation of derision, contempt, etc, esp by an audience or crowd

  3. electronics receiver noise with a continuous spectrum, caused by thermal agitation, shot noise, etc

"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

interjection

  1. an exclamation of derision or disapproval

"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

verb

  1. (intr) to produce or utter a hiss

  2. (tr) to express with a hiss, usually to indicate derision or anger

  3. (tr) to show derision or anger towards (a speaker, performer, etc) by hissing

"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
Hiss 2 British  
/ hɪs /

noun

  1. Alger. 1904–96, US government official: imprisoned (1950–54) for perjury in connection with alleged espionage activities

"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 Word Forms

  • hisser noun
  • hissingly adverb
  • outhiss verb (used with object)
  • unhissed adjective

Etymology

Origin of hiss

1350–1400; Middle English hissen; probably imitative; compare Old English hyscan to jeer at, rail (derivative of husc jeering; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German hosc )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But when Burr began insulting those who believed in the spirits of the dead, the audience hissed their disapproval.

From Literature

He hissed, and he pecked, and he honked.

From Literature

I stomped my foot on a pixie nest, and a hiss like a boiling kettle filled the air.

From Literature

“At least go open the door!” she hissed.

From Literature

Today there was just the small yellow pool splattering slimy bubbles, and the rocks around—too hot to touch, hissing steam from every crack.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.