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 of sizzle

Verb

• hiss

Noun

• whistle
• fizz
• 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

Her production spiced up 2000s rave-pop with hints of chipper children’s music in an oh-so-brain-sizzling way. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026

Ball sizzled by draining 6 of 7 attempts beyond the arc in that period. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2026

Noun

Thompson and Hoss sizzle onscreen together, and DaCosta gives them a sumptuous playground to play in. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026

Both the 2024 and 2025 games had the benefit of the pop culture sizzle generated by Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce's romance with pop superstar Taylor Swift, bringing in more casual fans. —Stephen Battaglio, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026

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