Definition

1. Noun:

   • A loud, sharp sound: A "hoot" is a short, loud cry or noise. It often describes the sound made by an owl.
   • A shout expressing disapproval or scorn: A "hoot" can be a shout or sound (like a whistle) made by a person to show they dislike or are mocking something.
   • Something of little value or importance: In informal use, a "hoot" can refer to something trivial or worthless.

2. Verb:

   • To make a loud, sharp cry: To "hoot" means to emit such a sound. This is most commonly used for the call of an owl.
   • To shout or make a loud noise to show disapproval or mockery: To "hoot" means to yell, whistle, or jeer at someone or something, often in a crowd.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • We heard the hoot of an owl in the dark forest.
  • The comedian's joke was met with hoots of laughter from the audience.
  • His opinion isn't worth a hoot to me. (Informal)

• Verb:

  • The owl hooted from the old barn.
  • The audience began to hoot when the politician made a false promise.
  • The train hooted as it approached the crossing.

Advanced Usage

• "not care/give a hoot": To not care at all about something.

  • She doesn't give a hoot about what they think of her clothes.

• "not worth a hoot": To be completely worthless or useless.

  • This old phone isn't worth a hoot anymore.

Variants and Related Words

• Hooter (n): A person or thing that hoots. Informally, it can refer to a car horn or a siren.
  • The factory hooter signals the end of the shift.

Synonyms

• Noun (sound): Screech, cry, call, whoop.
• Noun (jeer): Jeer, boo, catcall, whistle.
• Verb (make sound): Screech, cry, call.
• Verb (jeer): Jeer, boo, catcall, heckle.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hoot down: To force someone to stop speaking by making loud, disapproving noises.

  • The aggressive speaker was hooted down by the angry crowd.

• Hoot off/away: To drive someone away or force them to leave by hooting.

  • The bad performer was hooted off the stage.

Related Idioms

• A hoot and a holler: A very short distance.

  • He lives just a hoot and a holler down the road from here. (Informal, chiefly US)

• More fun than a barrel of monkeys / A real hoot: Used to describe something or someone that is very amusing or entertaining.

  • Your grandfather's stories are a real hoot!

Noun

1. something of little value
   • his promise is not worth a damn
   • not worth one red cent
   • not worth shucks
2. a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
3. a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)

Verb

1. utter the characteristic sound of owls
2. to utter a loud clamorous shout
   • the toughs and blades of the city hoot and bang their drums, drink arak, play dice, and dance