sizzle

1 of 2

verb

siz·​zle ˈsi-zəl 

sizzled; sizzling ˈsi-zə-liŋ 

ˈsiz-liŋ

transitive verb

: to burn up or sear with or as if with a hissing sound

intransitive verb

1

: to make a hissing sound in or as if in burning or frying

2

: to seethe with deep anger or resentment

sizzle

2 of 2

noun

1

: a hissing sound (as of something frying over a fire)

2

: pizzazz, excitement

Synonyms

Verb

• fizz
• fizzle
• hiss
• swish
• whish
• whiz
• whizz

Noun

• fizz
• hiss
• swish
• whish
• whiz
• whizz

Examples of sizzle in a Sentence

Verb

bacon sizzling in the pan

Their romance sizzled throughout the whole summer.

The book sizzles with excitement.

Noun

there was a brief sizzle as the moth flew into the flame

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Carne asada sizzled on a grill at a pop-up taco stand in the corner. —Ken Bensinger, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025

The waxing crescent moon in Capricorn on New Year’s Eve is sizzling with erraticism from Saturn and Neptune in Pisces, along with Uranus in Taurus. —Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 26 Dec. 2024

Noun

Innovation in fast food is often measured by the sizzle of a new product launch or the sleekness of a digital ordering kiosk. —Stephen Wunker, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Each episode focuses on one: the tang of vinegar, the sizzle of olive oil, the perfect crunch of sea salt. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps frequentative of siss to hiss

First Known Use

Verb

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

circa 1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sizzle

• sizzle reel

Kids Definition

sizzle

verb

siz·​zle

ˈsiz-əl

sizzled; sizzling

-(ə-)liŋ

: to make a hissing sound in or as if in burning or frying

sizzle noun

sizzler

-(ə-)lər

noun