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

Where: Tailgates in Wisconsin wouldn’t be complete without beer brats sizzling on the grill. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

Set the pan over a hot flame so the fish sizzles on contact. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2024

Noun

There’s a buzz in the air that’s unmistakable: the sizzle of grills, the pop of a cold can and the sea of fans dressed head-to-toe in team colors. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

Tension sizzles between Nora and Charlie in Emily Henry's 2022 enemies-to-lovers romance, which is a love letter to book people everywhere. —Lucy Feldman, TIME, 1 Aug. 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