hoot

1 of 3

verb

hooted; hooting; hoots

intransitive verb

1
: to shout or laugh usually derisively
2
: to make the natural throat noise of an owl or a similar cry
3
: to make a loud clamorous mechanical sound

transitive verb

1
: to assail or drive out by hooting
hooted down the speaker
2
: to express or utter with hoots
hooted their disapproval

hoot

2 of 3

noun

1
: a sound of hooting
especially : the cry of an owl
2
: a minimum amount or degree : the least bit
don't give a hoot
3
: something or someone amusing
the play is a real hoot
hooty adjective

hoot

3 of 3

interjection

variants or hoots
chiefly Scotland
used to express impatience, dissatisfaction, or objection

Examples of hoot in a Sentence

Verb We could hear an owl hooting in the woods. I hooted at the car in front of me. The crowd booed and hooted when it was announced that the show was canceled. The crowd hooted its disapproval. The speaker was hooted off the platform by a small group of protesters. Noun The announcement was met with hoots of derision. the courtroom erupted in hoots of laughter upon hearing the witness's sarcastic retort to the lawyer's arrogant remark
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Sharks Mark Cuban and Greiner hooted and hollered their dislike of the espresso martini's taste. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 19 Oct. 2024 Soon, nitrous shows were taken on the road, carried by traveling carnivals to new, hooting crowds each night. Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Noun
Margaret Qualley, as the former A-lister's younger self, also goes for broke in a film that's a disturbing, hilarious and jaw-dropping hoot. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024 Regardless, the instant torque available from electric motors means that EVs can be a real hoot. Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hoot 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hoot.' 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

Verb

Middle English houten, of imitative origin

Interjection

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Interjection

1540, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hoot was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near hoot

Cite this Entry

“Hoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoot. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

hoot

1 of 2 verb
1
: to utter a loud shout usually of scorn
2
: to make the characteristic call of an owl or a similar sound
3
: to drive out by hooting
hooter noun

hoot

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sound of hooting
especially : the call of an owl
2
: a very small amount
don't give a hoot
3
: an amusing person or thing

More from Merriam-Webster on hoot

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