hiss

verb

ˈhis 

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

Synonyms

• fizz
• fizzle
• sizzle
• swish
• whish
• whiz
• whizz

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

Some of the injured were being taken to hospital in ambulances, and in another video, a loud hissing sound can be heard before a blast hits a few feet away from a crowd of bicyclists. —Mushtaq Yusufzai, NBC news, 6 May 2025

The door is heard to open with a whoosh and a hissing sound, but neither the door nor the plane exterior are shown in the aftermath. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

For each submission, the zoo will name a Madagascar hissing cockroach in an ex's honor. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

Quit bugging me with El Paso Zoo The El Paso Zoo in El Paso, Texas is once again naming Madagascar hissing cockroaches after exes. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for hiss

• bis
• bliss
• criss
• dis
• diss
• kiss
• kris
• liss
• mis
• miss
• riss
• sis

Kids Definition

hiss

verb

ˈhis 

: 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