hiss

1 of 2

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

hisser

2 of 2

noun

hiss·​er

ˈhisə(r)

plural -s

: one that hisses

Synonyms of hiss

Verb

• bubble
• whistle
• fizzle
• swish

Examples of hiss in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Jason was hissing fiercely; Gordon, who projects a monastic calm, was trying to reason with the mother while batting her back each time the flap swung open. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026

This is just what Harley had built – an out-of-the-box pro-drag bike complete with slicks, wheelie bars, a hissing air-shifter and a proper multi-stage clutch set-up specifically for the drag strip. — New Atlas, 13 July 2026

Granny doesn’t discriminate, hissing invective at both Alice and Thya with equal venom. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Then a hissing arrow pins a golden soccer ball to the Clash of Clans escutcheon. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, of imitative origin

Noun

Middle English, from hissen + -er

First Known Use

Verb

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