hiss
C1Neutral, can be literary or dramatic.
Definition
Meaning
A sharp, sustained 's' sound, especially like that made by a snake or escaping air.
To make a sharp, sibilant sound; to express disapproval, anger, or scorn by making such a sound or with sharp, whispered words.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an auditory word. Can describe both a sound and the action of making it. Often conveys a negative emotion (anger, fear, warning, derision).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical connotations of danger, disapproval, or sharp noise.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subj] hisses (intransitive)[Subj] hisses [Obj] (transitive: uttered words)[Subj] hisses at [Obj]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hiss someone off the stage”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially metaphorical: 'The new policy was hissed by shareholders.'
Academic
Used in literature analysis (e.g., 'the crowd hissed its disapproval') or in scientific descriptions of sounds.
Everyday
Most common for describing animal sounds (snakes, cats), leaks (tyres, pipes), or audience reactions.
Technical
Used in audio engineering ('tape hiss', 'background hiss').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The radiator began to hiss alarmingly.
- 'How dare you!' she hissed.
American English
- The tyre hissed as the air escaped.
- The actor was hissed off the stage by the crowd.
adverb
British English
- (Extremely rare; not standard usage.)
- N/A
American English
- (Extremely rare; not standard usage.)
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The recording had a noticeable hiss level.
- (Rare as pure adjective; usually in compounds like 'hiss-laden')
American English
- We need to reduce the hiss noise on this track.
- (Rare; typically 'hissing' is used.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The snake made a hiss.
- I can hear a hiss from the pipe.
- The cat hissed at the dog.
- Steam hissed from the kettle.
- The audience hissed the villain when he entered the stage.
- A faint hiss of static came from the old radio.
- She hissed a warning through clenched teeth, telling him to be silent.
- The press secretary's statement was met with a hiss of derision from the reporters.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The word itself sounds like its meaning – say 'hiss' slowly, emphasizing the 'sss'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER/ DISAPPROVAL IS A HISSING SOUND (e.g., 'The critic hissed his review').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'шипеть' for boiling water, which is 'to bubble/simmer'. 'Hiss' is specifically for the sharp 's' sound, not the activity. A snake 'hisses' (шипит), but a kettle 'whistles' (свистит).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hiss' for a low growl (which is 'growl' or 'snarl').
- Using 'hiss' as a general term for any animal noise.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hiss' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it commonly describes people whispering something angrily or sharply ('Don't touch that,' he hissed), or an audience showing disapproval with a 'ssss' sound.
No. While strongly associated with snakes, it applies to any similar sharp 's' sound: steam, air, tyres, tape recordings, cats, geese, or crowds.
A 'hiss' is a continuous, friction-based 'sss' sound. A 'whistle' is a clearer, more musical, and often higher-pitched tone made by forcing air through an opening.
It can be both. The '-ing' form (gerund/participle) of the verb 'to hiss' (e.g., 'The hissing was loud'). It can also function as a noun (e.g., 'The hissing of the snakes was terrifying').