hoots

A frustrated driver hoots his car horn in heavy traffic.

Definition

1. Noun (plural):

   • Loud, sharp cries: "hoots" are the plural form of "hoot," referring to loud, sharp sounds made by an owl or similar noises made by people to express disapproval, derision, or amusement.
   • Exclamations of contempt: In human context, "hoots" can be shouts or jeers expressing scorn, impatience, or annoyance.

2. Interjection:

   • Expression of impatience or annoyance: "Hoots" is used as an exclamation to show irritation, disbelief, or mild protest, similar to "oh!" or "hey!" in informal speech.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The owl's hoots echoed through the forest at midnight. (Loud, sharp cries of an owl.)
  • The audience responded with hoots of laughter at the comedian's joke. (Loud sounds of amusement.)
  • The politician's speech was met with hoots of derision from the crowd. (Shouts expressing scorn.)

• Interjection:

  • Hoots! I forgot my keys again. (Expression of annoyance.)
  • Hoots! That's not what I meant at all. (Exclamation of impatience or disbelief.)

Advanced Usage

• "to give a hoot": to care or show concern (often used in the negative).

  • I don't give a hoot what they think. (I do not care at all.)

• "to not care two hoots": to be completely indifferent.

  • She doesn't care two hoots about the rules. (She is utterly unconcerned.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hoot (n, singular): a single loud, sharp cry or sound.

  • The car horn gave a loud hoot. (A single sharp sound.)

• Hoot (v): to make a loud, sharp cry or sound, like an owl or as a sign of disapproval.

  • The audience hooted when the actor forgot his lines. (They made jeering sounds.)

• Hooting (adj, n): the act or sound of making hoots.

  • The hooting of the crowd could be heard from outside. (The continuous sound of jeers.)

Synonyms

• Jeers: shouts of mockery or derision.
• Cries: loud vocal sounds (more general).
• Shouts: loud exclamations.

Phrasal Verbs

• Hoot down: to silence or drive away someone or something by making loud, derisive sounds.
  • The speaker was hooted down by the angry audience. (They shouted so loudly that the speaker could not continue.)

Related Idioms

• Not worth a hoot: of little or no value.

  • His opinion is not worth a hoot. (His opinion is worthless.)

• Hoot and holler: to make loud, excited noises, often in celebration or protest.

  • The fans hooted and hollered when their team scored. (They shouted loudly in excitement.)