Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sharp sibilant sound: A prolonged "s" or "sh" sound, often made by forcing air through a small opening, as by a snake, a leaking tire, or steam.
   • An expression of disapproval: A sound made by an audience, typically a prolonged "ssss," to show contempt, dislike, or rejection of a performance or speaker.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To make a sharp, sustained "s" sound: To produce a sound like that of a snake or escaping air.
   • To express disapproval with such a sound: To make a hissing sound to show scorn or displeasure, especially as part of an audience.

3. Verb (transitive):

   • To utter or express with a hissing sound: To say words in a sharp, sibilant, often angry whisper.
   • To show disapproval of by hissing: To condemn or reject a performer, speaker, or idea by making hissing sounds.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The angry cat let out a low hiss. (The sound the cat made.)
  • The proposal was met with a chorus of hisses from the crowd. (The sound of disapproval from the crowd.)

• Verb (intransitive):

  • The air hissed out of the punctured balloon. (The air made a sharp, continuous sound as it escaped.)
  • The audience began to hiss when the villain appeared on stage. (The audience made disapproving sounds.)

• Verb (transitive):

  • "Get out!" she hissed through clenched teeth. (She said the words with a sharp, sibilant sound.)
  • The comedian was hissed off the stage. (The comedian was forced to leave the stage due to the audience's hissing.)

Advanced Usage

• "to hiss at": To direct a hiss of disapproval or anger toward someone or something.
  • The crowd hissed at the referee's controversial decision.
• Descriptive Use: Often used to describe speech that is venomous, whispered, or full of suppressed anger.
  • His reply was a hissed threat that only I could hear.

Variants and Related Words

• Hissing (n/adj): The act or sound of hissing; producing a hiss.
  • The constant hissing of the radiator was annoying.
• Hisser (n): One who hisses.
  • The lead actor glared at the hissers in the front row.

Synonyms

• Sibilate: To utter with or make a hissing sound. (More formal/technical)
• Boo: To express disapproval with a loud, deep sound. (Different sound, similar function of rejection)
• Jeer: To shout or mock insultingly. (Different manner of expression)

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Hiss out: To expel or utter something with a hissing sound.
  • He hissed out the words, his face red with rage.
• Hiss off (the stage): To force someone to leave a performance venue by persistent hissing.
  • The terrible act was hissed off within minutes.

Related Idioms

• A hiss and a boo: A phrase indicating a mixture or the typical sounds of audience disapproval.
  • The new policy was greeted with a hiss and a boo from the public.
• The sound/air/steam hisses: A common collocation describing the specific source of the sound.
  • I heard the sound hiss from the broken pipe.

Noun

1. a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
2. a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
   • the performers could not be heard over the hissing of the audience

Verb

1. show displeasure, as after a performance or speech
2. express or utter with a hiss
3. move with a whooshing sound
4. make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval