HISS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does hiss mean? 

• HISS (noun)
  The noun HISS has 2 senses:

1. a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)

2. a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt

  Familiarity information: HISS used as a noun is rare.

• HISS (verb)
  The verb HISS has 4 senses:

1. make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval

2. move with a whooshing sound

3. express or utter with a hiss

4. show displeasure, as after a performance or speech

  Familiarity information: HISS used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HISS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

fizzle; hiss; hissing; hushing; sibilation

Context example:

the performers could not be heard over the hissing of the audience

Hypernyms ("hiss" is a kind of...):

noise (sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound))

Derivation:

hiss (show displeasure, as after a performance or speech)

hiss (make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval)

hiss (express or utter with a hiss)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

bird; boo; Bronx cheer; hiss; hoot; raspberry; razz; razzing; snort

Hypernyms ("hiss" is a kind of...):

call; cry; outcry; shout; vociferation; yell (a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition)

Derivation:

hiss (make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval)

hiss (express or utter with a hiss)

hiss (show displeasure, as after a performance or speech)

• HISS (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they hiss    ... he / she / it hisses   
Past simple: hissed   
Past participle: hissed   
-ing form: hissing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

hiss; sibilate; siss; sizz

Hypernyms (to "hiss" is one way to...):

emit; let loose; let out; utter (express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words))

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Derivation:

hiss (a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt)

hiss (a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval))

hisser (someone who communicates disapproval by hissing)

hissing (a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Move with a whooshing sound

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

hiss; whoosh

Hypernyms (to "hiss" is one way to...):

go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)

Sentence frames:

Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Express or utter with a hiss

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

hiss; sibilate; siss; sizz

Hypernyms (to "hiss" is one way to...):

mouth; speak; talk; utter; verbalise; verbalize (express in speech)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Sentence example:

They hiss that there was a traffic accident

Derivation:

hiss (a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt)

hiss; hissing (a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval))

Sense 4

Meaning:

Show displeasure, as after a performance or speech

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

boo; hiss

Hypernyms (to "hiss" is one way to...):

condemn (declare or judge unfit for use or habitation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

hisser (someone who communicates disapproval by hissing)

hissing; hiss (a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval))

hiss (a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt)

 Context examples 

The coal slipped after her, hissed when she got into the water, and breathed her last.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

"I'll fix you after de show," his ancient enemy hissed.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

They, on their part, drew gradually together towards the far end of the block house, and the low hiss of their whispering sounded in my ear continuously, like a stream.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Mr. Hyde shrank back with a hissing intake of the breath.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

So ran the muttered chorus, while high above it rose the sharp twanging of the strings, the hiss of the shafts, and the short Draw your arrow!

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"As I expected," he murmured, with that hissing inspiration of his which meant so much.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I heard the creature hiss as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the light and attacked it.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

That hiss, faint as it was, irritated the irascible gentleman, and sealed the culprit's fate.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

That hissing pant, as regular and full-volumed as the exhaust of an engine, spoke of a monstrous organism.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There were hisses from the crowd and cries of protest, but that was all.

(White Fang, by Jack London)