sizzle

1 of 2

verb

siz·​zle ˈsi-zəl 

sizzled; sizzling ˈsi-zə-liŋ 

ˈsiz-liŋ

transitive verb

: to burn up or sear with or as if with a hissing sound

intransitive verb

1

: to make a hissing sound in or as if in burning or frying

2

: to seethe with deep anger or resentment

sizzle

2 of 2

noun

1

: a hissing sound (as of something frying over a fire)

2

: pizzazz, excitement

Synonyms

Verb

• hiss

Noun

• whistle
• fizz
• whizz
• zip
• hiss

Examples of sizzle in a Sentence

Verb

bacon sizzling in the pan

Their romance sizzled throughout the whole summer.

The book sizzles with excitement.

Noun

there was a brief sizzle as the moth flew into the flame

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Get the recipe > Sweet corn is lightly sizzled in ghee and tossed with juicy tomatoes, peppery dandelion greens, and smoky blue cheese for a salad that’s equal parts sweet, bitter, and tangy. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025

Your attraction energy sizzles with Venus in Leo. —Usa Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025

Noun

Of hearing the wood crackle and the meat sizzle. —Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Original price $2,517 Enjoy beautiful end-of-summer sunsets while cooking up some seriously sizzling dinners with this sundown sizzle bundle. —Caitlyn Martyn May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps frequentative of siss to hiss

First Known Use

Verb

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

circa 1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sizzle

• sizzle reel

Rhymes for sizzle

• chisel
• drizzle
• fizzle
• grizzle
• sisal

Kids Definition

sizzle

verb

siz·​zle

ˈsiz-əl

sizzled; sizzling

-(ə-)liŋ

: to make a hissing sound in or as if in burning or frying

sizzle noun

sizzler

-(ə-)lər

noun