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

Over the radio, Bing Crosby is crooning, Bob Hope is joking, and news of the war — against Hitler, against Japan — keeps sizzling and crackling across the dial. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

Just keep the soil consistently moist with an inch of water per week (more if temperatures sizzle and rain is scarce). —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026

Noun

And their newfound sizzle, Chase Johnston, made his first 2-pointer of the entire season to knock out Wisconsin. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026

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