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

• fizz
• fizzle
• sizzle
• swish
• whish
• whiz
• whizz

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

And some hoot and holler at just a whiff of Nicolas Cage screaming and hissing and mincing and making bug-eyes. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 11 July 2024

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is offering Houstonians and visitors the opportunity to adopt a Madagascar hissing cockroach to express everlasting affection. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Feb. 2024

Instead, the show feels like someone took a pin to that inflatable couch — air is constantly hissing out of it. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2024

In the original script, there was more of Frodo hissing and arching his back. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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