hiss

verb

ˈhis 

hissed; hissing; hisses

intransitive verb

: to make a sharp sibilant sound

the crowd hissed in disapproval

hissing steam

transitive verb

1

: to express disapproval of by hissing

hissed the performers off the stage

2

: to utter or whisper angrily or threateningly and with a hiss

hiss noun

hisser noun

Synonyms

• bubble
• fizzle
• swish
• whistle
• sizzle

Examples of hiss in a Sentence

The radiator hissed as it let off steam.

The audience hissed him off the stage.

“Leave me alone!” he hissed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nineteen hours after departure the train took its final breath, hissed and braked into the historic port of Narvik. —The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025

Initially Mila can be seen hissing at Fifi, just for being near her. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025

And if music isn't playing, the ANC does hiss a little when active. —New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2025

In 2021, scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore turned Madagascar hissing cockroaches into cyborgs, implanting electrodes in sensory organs known as cerci that were then connected to tiny computers. —Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for hiss

• bis
• bliss
• criss
• dis
• diss
• kiss
• kris
• liss
• mis
• miss
• riss
• sis

Kids Definition

hiss

verb

ˈhis 

: to make a long sharp sound like that of the speech sound \s\ or that made by an alarmed animal (as a snake or cat) usually as a sign of disapproval

hissed them off the stage

hiss noun

hisser noun