hiss
hiss Lexical Profile
hiss Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A sharp, prolonged sibilant sound, like that of the letter 's', often made by escaping steam or gas, or by animals such as snakes and cats as a warning.
"We heard the faint hiss of air escaping from the punctured bicycle tire."
A sharp sibilant sound made by people to express disapproval, derision, or contempt.
"The villain's entrance on stage was greeted by a chorus of boos and hisses from the audience."
• verb
To make a sharp sibilant sound, as of the letter 's', typically produced by escaping gas or steam, or by an animal in fear or anger.
"The stray cat arched its back and hissed at the approaching dog."
To utter something in a fierce, whispered, or angry sibilant tone.
"She leaned across the table and hissed a warning to keep quiet."
To express disapproval, contempt, or derision toward someone or something by making a sharp sibilant sound.
"The crowd began to hiss when the referee made the controversial call."
• Rhymes for hiss
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating back to Middle English 'hissen', the word is imitative (onomatopoeic) of the sibilant sound it describes, with parallels in Old English 'hysian' (to jeer) and Middle Low German 'hischen'.