Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To make a hissing sound like that of frying fat: To produce a sharp, hissing noise, typically when something is cooking in hot oil or fat.
   • To be very hot, creating such a sound: To be extremely hot, often causing a hissing sound upon contact with a liquid or cool surface.
   • To be filled with intense, barely contained emotion (like anger or excitement): To be in a state of strong, often agitated, emotion.

2. Noun:

   • A hissing sound: The sharp, continuous hissing sound itself, like that made by food frying.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • Listen to the bacon sizzle in the pan.
  • The steak sizzled on the hot grill.
  • He was sizzling with rage after hearing the news.

• Noun:

  • The sizzle of the onions cooking was mouthwatering.
  • We heard the sizzle of the raindrops hitting the hot pavement.

Advanced Usage

• "to sizzle with something": To be intensely full of a particular quality, especially an emotion.
  • The atmosphere sizzled with anticipation before the concert.
• "to sizzle out": To end or fade away, often after a period of intensity or excitement. (Note: This is a less common, informal phrasal verb).
  • The scandal sizzled out after a few weeks in the headlines.

Variants and Related Words

• Sizzling (adjective): Extremely hot, or very exciting and lively.
  • It was a sizzling summer day.
  • The band gave a sizzling performance.

Synonyms

• Verb (for sound): Hiss, crackle, sputter, frizzle.
• Verb (for emotion): Seethe, simmer, fume, boil.
• Noun: Hiss, crackle.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Sizzle up: (Informal) To become exciting or successful.
  • Their new business idea is really starting to sizzle up.

Related Idioms

• "Sizzle sells the steak": This idiom suggests that exciting presentation or appeal (the "sizzle") is what initially attracts people to a product or idea, more than its basic substance (the "steak").
  • In advertising, they say sizzle sells the steak, so we need a flashy commercial.

Noun

1. a sizzling noise

Verb

1. burn or sear with a sizzling sound
   • The fat sizzled in the pan
2. seethe with deep anger or resentment
   • She was sizzling with anger
3. make a sound like frying fat