hiss
/hɪs
/verb [no object]
1Make a sharp sibilant sound as of the letter s: the escaping gas was hissing...
- The drums bubble and hiss like gas escaped from slashing ginsu blades, building into a delicious bumping middle section.
- It was hissing, long sharp looking fangs hung out of its gaping mouth.
- Portable gas rings hissed into life and soon gallons of spring water reached boiling point.
Synonyms
fizz, fizzle, whistle, wheeze, buzz, shrill
rare sibilate
1.1(Of a person) make a sibilant sound as a sign of disapproval or derision: the audience hissed loudly at the mention of his name...
- Emily hissed loudly, gripping Margaret's arm just as she was about to leave.
- The angels in the hall all hissed slightly, a sound that was half astonished gasp and half restrained fear.
- True, the house was full, but the audience hissed.
1.2 [with object] Express disapproval of (someone) by hissing: he was hissed off the stage...
- We had food chucked at us in the playground, I was hissed at and once I was threatened with being stabbed, and my brother ended up in a few scraps.
- When he threw out the traditional scenery and costumes from Verdi's Trovatore, or banned encores, he was hissed by the galleries.
- Williams was hissed and booed throughout the match.
Synonyms
jeer, catcall, utter catcalls, whistle, shout disapproval;
scoff, taunt, hoot, jibe, deride
informal blow raspberries
1.3 [reporting verb] Whisper something in an urgent or angry way: [with direct speech]: ‘Get back!’ he hissed...
- ‘But I can help,’ Laoise hissed, angry with Devin's attitude.
- ‘We shouldn't be discussing private matters in front of our visitors,’ Kalren hissed at the angry young man.
- ‘I could kill you,’ I hiss, angry at her for what she's done to me.
noun
1A sharp sibilant sound: the spit and hiss of a cornered cat...
- As her hand almost touched the pile, a sharp hiss filled the air, drowning out all other sounds.
- He pulled it out, and the calm of the whiteness was interrupted by a sharp hiss as he drew his sword.
- There was a low hiss, and something sharp was suddenly at my neck.
Synonyms
fizz, fizzing, whistle, hissing, sibilance, wheeze, wheezing, buzz, buzzing
rare sibilation
1.1A sibilant sound used to convey disapproval or derision: the audience greeted this comment with boos and hisses...
- His remarks were greeted with hisses and derision.
- It earned him a scowling hiss of disapproval from Dendria and a punch in the shoulder from Naoise for his comedic troubles.
- Vincent and Vaughn participated in the school's talent show, to the sounds of boos and hisses from the student audience.
Synonyms
jeer, catcall, whistle, shout of derision, raspberry;
(hisses) abuse, scoffing, taunting, derision
British informal the bird
1.2 [mass noun] Electrical interference at audio frequencies: tape hiss...
- There is no hiss or distortion to interfere with the dialogue and corny special effects.
- Both audio selections sound crisp and clear, with no hiss or interference.
- Though this isn't the most overly aggressive soundtrack, overall the audio mix is free and clear of any excessive hiss or distortion.
Origin
Late Middle English (as a verb): imitative.
Rhymes
- well-anointed
- well-apparelled
- well-applied
- well appointed
- well-approved
- well-argued
- well-armed
- well-armored
- well-armoured
- well-arranged
- well-arrayed
- well-articulated
- well-asserted
- well-assorted
- well-assured
- well attended
- well-attending
- well-attested
- well-attired
- well-authenticated
- well aware
- wellaway
- well-baked
- well balanced
- well beam