hiss

verb

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ross Crates, an ecologist at the Australian National University who was not involved in the study, noted that other research had shown that some birds hissed to ward off predators to their nests. Kate Golembiewski, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 The hissing wind pushed black smoke down Temescal Canyon, sending residents choking toward the beach. Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025 The feline appears to hiss at the newcomers, according to another note overlaid on the clip. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025 But this desire to make our kids happy and show them the beauty and magic of the world, from a total solar eclipse to a hissing volcano, remains the same. Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hiss 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of hiss was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hiss

Cite this Entry

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hiss. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

hiss

verb
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on hiss

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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