hoot

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noun

Definition of HOOT

1

a loud vocal expression of strong emotion <the courtroom erupted in hoots of laughter upon hearing the witness's sarcastic retort>

Synonyms cry, holler, hoot, howl, whoop, yell, yowl

Related Words ejaculation, interjection; scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeak, squeal, yelp; bawl, bellow, clamor, outcry, roar; caterwaul, plaint, wail

Near Antonyms mumble, murmur, mutter; gasp, whimper, whisper

2

a vocal sound made to express scorn or disapproval <he ignored the hoots and jeers coming from the back of the crowd and kept on speaking>

Synonyms bird [chiefly British], boo, Bronx cheer, hiss, hoot, jeer, raspberry, razz, snort

Related Words smirk, sneer, snicker, snigger; gibe (or jibe), put-down, taunt; whistle

Near Antonyms applause, clapping

Antonyms cheer

3

the smallest amount or part imaginable <I don't give a hoot whether you want to go or not—you're going>

Synonyms beans, bubkes (also bupkes or bupkus), continental, damn, darn (also durn), diddly [slang], diddly-squat [slang], doodley-squat (or doodly-squat), fig, ghost, hoot, iota, lick, modicum, rap, squat [slang], syllable, tittle, whit, whoop

Related Words ace, bit, crumb, dab, driblet, glimmer, hint, little, mite, nip, ounce, particle, peanuts, pin, ray, scrap, scruple, semblance, shade, shadow, shred, skosh, smidgen (also smidgeon or smidgin or smidge), snap, speck, spot, sprinkling, strain, streak, suspicion, touch, trace

4

someone or something that is very funny <that stand-up comic is a hoot all right, if endless bathroom jokes propel you into paroxysms of laughter>

Synonyms hoot, knee-slapper, laugh, riot

Related Words boner, howler; crack, gag, jest, joke, pleasantry, quip, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism; caution, sight

Near Antonyms bummer, downer