hoot
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
A short, sharp sound, typically the cry of an owl.
A loud shout or laugh, especially one expressing derision or mockery. Can also refer to something extremely amusing or a negligible amount, as in 'I don't care a hoot'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun, but commonly used as a verb ('to hoot'). The meaning can shift from a literal animal sound to human vocalizations of mockery or amusement, and finally to an idiom expressing something trivial.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The idiom 'give a hoot' (to care) is more common in American English. The slang sense 'something hilarious' (e.g., 'The show was a hoot.') is common in both varieties but slightly more prevalent in AmE.
Connotations
Neutral-to-positive for the 'funny' meaning; mildly disparaging for the 'shout of derision' meaning.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to idiomatic use. The literal owl sound is universal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SUBJ] hoots (at [OBJ])[SUBJ] doesn't give a hoot about [OBJ]It was a hoot (to [INFINITIVE]).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not give a hoot”
- “a hoot and a holler (away)”
- “be a hoot”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used humorously: 'The budget meeting was a real hoot.' (Sarcastic)
Academic
Very rare, except in literary/zoological contexts describing animal sounds.
Everyday
Common for describing laughter or fun: 'We had a hoot at the party.' Also used for owl sounds.
Technical
Used in ornithology/zoology for owl vocalizations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The tawny owl hooted in the woods all night.
- The comedian was so bad the crowd hooted him off stage.
American English
- An owl hooted somewhere in the canyon.
- The protesters hooted at the speaker until she left the podium.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective. Participle 'hooting' used: 'a hooting noise'.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective. Participle 'hooting' used: 'hooting laughter'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I heard an owl hoot in the tree.
- The children hooted with laughter at the clown.
- We didn't hear a hoot from them all evening.
- His new joke was a real hoot.
- The audience began to hoot and jeer when the verdict was announced.
- She doesn't give a hoot about what the neighbours think.
- The proposed legislation was met with hoots of derision from the opposition benches.
- It's ironic that someone who doesn't give a hoot about fashion has become a style icon.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
An OWL wears a BOOT. It sits on a ROOT and goes HOOT, HOOT.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISAPPROVAL IS A LOUD ANIMAL NOISE (e.g., 'The audience hooted the politician off stage.'). TRIVIALITY IS A SMALL NOISE (e.g., 'I don't care a hoot.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'гудеть' (to hum/to hoot as a siren). 'Hoot' is a sharper, shorter sound. Avoid using 'hoot' for car horns; 'beep' or 'honk' is better.
- The idiom 'I don't give a hoot' is equivalent to 'мне наплевать', not a literal sound.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hoot' for a car horn (*The lorry hooted* is rare; *honked* is standard).
- Confusing spelling: 'hoot' vs. 'hot'.
- Overusing the verb for all loud sounds.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'hoot' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is very rare and old-fashioned in British English (e.g., 'the car hooted'). 'Honk' (AmE) or 'beep' (BrE/AmE) are the standard verbs.
They are near synonyms, but 'a scream' is slightly stronger and more emphatic than 'a hoot'. Both are informal.
No. 'Hoot with laughter' is positive. 'Hoot at someone' (to jeer) is negative. Context is key.
It is most commonly a noun ('give a hoot', 'it was a hoot') and a verb ('owls hoot', 'they hooted').