hiss

verb

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

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 no one wants to touch those germy air nozzles, which only provide a hissing draft of dry air anyway. Eric Rosen, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024 Elsa Lanchester’s performance as the hissing, glamorous Bride — which was inspired, in part, by swans at the zoo — is fabulous as well, making a legendary impression with only seven minutes of screen time. Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024 This creates a hissing effect which can be heard from several feet away. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 Ringing in the ear: A buzzing, roaring, whistling or hissing sound in your ear. USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 This can be done by opening the radiator valve (on a cold radiator) until a hissing sound can be heard. Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024 Some of the parents audibly hissed when Zuckerberg entered the hearing room Wednesday. Angela Yang, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2024 Now that sociology is losing the right to discuss and is caught in this kind of protest, who is hissing? Carol J. Petty, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2024 For a $15 donation to the Brookfield Zoo, those willing can name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after an ex or their least favorite person. Louis Casiano, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hiss.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of hiss was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hiss

Cite this Entry

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hiss. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hiss

verb
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on hiss

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!