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

This week, Matt Ritchie compared Wembley 2023 to a party balloon that had been inflated for a fortnight; by the day of the game, air was hissing out. —George Caulkin, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025

Jones eventually released the distressed baby wombat, which hissed and screeched while in her arms, back onto the road, the video shows. —Peter Guo, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025

After the wombat hisses, seemingly in distress, Jones eventually returns the animal to the bush. —Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025

Members have hissed and hollered at Presidents of the opposing party in recent years with casual regularity. —Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Mar. 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