hiss
gb/hˈɪs/ us/hˈɪs/
A2
English
~ 1300
sziszeg, fúj, fújol, sziszegés, fújolás
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] hisses
The snake hissed loudly when it was disturbed.
A kígyó hangosan sziszegett, amikor megzavarták.
Steam hissed from the broken pipe.
A törött csőből sziszegve tört elő a gőz.
The cat arched its back and hissed at the dog.
Learner examples
The snake hissed at me.
A kígyó rám sziszegett.
The cat hissed when I came close.
A macska fújt, amikor közel mentem hozzá.
Steam hissed from the pot.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'hiss' with 'whistle', but 'hiss' is harsher and not musical.
Meaning
Make a sharp sibilant sound
Collocations
steam hissed
|cat hissed
|audience hissed
Synonyms
whistle (Higher-pitched and often musical, unlike the harsh tone of a hiss)
|
sizzle (Refers more to cooking sounds, but similarly sharp)
Antonyms
silence (Absence of any sound)
Themes
sounds
|animals
|communication
|nature
Definition
To make a long, sharp sound like air coming out or like a snake.
To produce a prolonged, sharp sound similar to that of air or steam escaping, or a snake.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] hisses at [someone/something]
The audience hissed when the villain appeared on stage.
A közönség fújolt, amikor a gonosz megjelent a színpadon.
Some fans hissed at the referee's decision.
Néhány szurkoló fújolt a játékvezető döntése miatt.
They hissed at the proposal during the meeting.
Learner examples
The crowd hissed when the man spoke.
A tömeg fújolt, amikor a férfi beszélt.
People hissed at the bad play.
Az emberek fújoltak a rossz előadás miatt.
The audience hissed at the actor.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'hiss' always involves animals, but it can also describe people expressing dislike.
Meaning
Make sound to show dislike
Collocations
crowd hissed
|audience hissed
|fans hissed
Synonyms
boo (A more common vocal expression of disapproval; not a hissing sound)
Antonyms
cheer (A vocal expression of approval)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|arts_entertainment
Definition
To make a long sharp sound to show you do not like something.
To show disapproval or dislike by making a prolonged sibilant sound, often in an audience setting.
NOUN
A2
3
sziszegés
B2
I heard the hiss of the radiator.
Hallottam a radiátor sziszegését.
The cat's hiss made the dog back away.
A macska sziszegésétől a kutya hátrálni kezdett.
A faint hiss came from the speaker.
Learner examples
I heard a hiss from the pipe.
Sziszegést hallottam a csőből.
The cat made a loud hiss.
A macska hangos sziszegést hallatott.
I heard a hiss in the room.
Meaning
Prolonged sharp sibilant sound
Collocations
angry hiss
|low hiss
|loud hiss
Synonyms
whistle (More musical and higher-pitched than a hiss)
Antonyms
quiet (Lack of any noticeable sound)
Themes
sounds
|animals
|nature
Definition
A long sharp sound like air coming out or like a snake.
A long, sharp sound similar to that made by air or steam escaping, or by certain animals such as snakes or cats.
NOUN
B1
4
The villain entered to a chorus of hisses.
A gonoszt fújolás fogadta, amikor belépett.
His speech was met with hisses from the audience.
Beszédét a közönség fújolással fogadta.
There were hisses when the unpopular law passed.
Learner examples
The crowd gave loud hisses.
A tömeg hangos fújolásba kezdett.
There were hisses when he spoke.
Fújolás hallatszott, amikor beszélt.
People made hisses at the bad actor.
Meaning
Sibilant sound of disapproval
Collocations
angry hiss from crowd
|audible hiss
Synonyms
booing (A more common vocal protest; not necessarily a hissing sound)
Antonyms
applause (A positive vocal expression)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A long sharp sound people make when they do not like something.
A sharp, drawn-out sound made by people to show they do not like something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hiss
IPA
GB/hˈɪs/
US/hˈɪs/
Syllables & stress
hiss (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (hiss)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hiss
- Plural: hisses
Verb
- Base: hiss
- 3rd Person Singular: hisses
- Present Participle: hissing
- Past: hissed
Word family
Forms
hisses
noun
hissing
verb
hissed
verb
Expressions
hiss and boo
1/hˈɪs ˈænd bˈu/
fixed phrase
Make hissing and booing sounds together
To make hissing and booing sounds to show that you do not like something.
Examples
- The audience began to hiss and boo at the poor performance.
- Fans hissed and booed when the referee made a bad call.
piss and vinegar (full of) — sometimes altered to 'hiss and vinegar' humorously
1/pˈɪs ˈænd vˈɪnəɡɚ fˈʊl əv sˈʌmtˌaɪmz ˈɔltɚd tə hˈɪs ˈænd vˈɪnəɡɚ hjˈumɚəsli/
idiom
informal
Energetic and aggressive (humorous)
Used humorously to describe someone who is very full of energy and eager to fight or argue.
Examples
- She came into the meeting full of hiss and vinegar, ready to argue every point.
- He's full of hiss and vinegar today, watch out!