What does "hiss" mean?
A sibilant sound, such as that made by a snake or escaping steam; an unvoiced fricative.
Hiss
/hɪs/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A sibilant sound, such as that made by a snake or escaping steam; an unvoiced fricative.
- Grammar: hiss is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: boo, hissing, air hiss, aphonia.
- Useful contrasts: cheering shout, banzai, hoorah.
- Usage evidence: Mary's cat needs to hiss only once, to scare away the neighbours' dogs.
How to use "hiss"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "hiss" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "hiss" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "hiss" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "hiss" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "hiss" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "boo" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "hiss", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A sibilant sound, such as that made by a snake or escaping steam; an unvoiced fricative.
"Their music frightful as the serpent’s hiss, And boding screech-owls make the concert full!"
- 2 a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt wordnet
- 3 An expression of disapproval made using such a sound.
"[…] in open disputations ye haue bene openly conuict, ye haue bene openly driuen out of the schole with hisses […]"
- 4 a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval) wordnet
Verb
- 1 To make a hiss, a sibilant sound of air escaping. intransitive
"As I started to poke it, the snake hissed at me."
- 2 show displeasure, as after a performance or speech wordnet
- 3 To call someone by hissing. transitive
"I stepped out of my tent in Marrakech one night to get a bar of candy and caught your dose of clap when that Wac I never even saw before hissed me into the bushes."
- 4 make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval wordnet
- 5 To condemn or express contempt (for someone or something) by hissing. intransitive, transitive
"The crowd booed and hissed her off the stage."
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 express or utter with a hiss wordnet
- 7 To utter (something) with a hissing sound. transitive
"Lies oft o’erthrown with ceaseless Venom spread, Still hiss out Scandal from their Hydra Head,"
- 8 move with a whooshing sound wordnet
- 9 To move with a hissing sound. intransitive
"The arrow hissed through the air."
- 10 To emit or eject (something) with a hissing sound. transitive
"The man in white pyjamas hissed soda into his glass."
- 11 To whisper, especially angrily or urgently. transitive
""Are you quite sure of it," she hissed into his ear, "Mr Fang, Junior?""
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Mary's cat needs to hiss only once, to scare away the neighbours' dogs."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "hiss"?
Common synonyms include: boo, hissing, air hiss, aphonia, artificial voice, assibilate.
How do you use "hiss" in a sentence?
Mary's cat needs to hiss only once, to scare away the neighbours' dogs.
How do you pronounce "hiss"?
Pronounced /hɪs/.
Etymology
From Middle English hissen, probably of onomatopoeic origin (compare Arabic هَسْهَسَ (hashasa)). Compare Middle Dutch hissen, hisschen (“to chase away, shoo”), Middle Low German hissen (“to chase, hound, incite”).