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Added 9 October 2026

hiss

/hɪs/ noun

In Latin: sībilus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about hiss at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval).
the performers could not be heard over the hissing of the audience
A cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt.

verb

Make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval.
Move with a whooshing sound.
Express or utter with a hiss.

Origin

From Middle English hissen, probably of onomatopoeic origin (compare Arabic هَسْهَسَ (hashasa)). Compare Middle Dutch hissen, hisschen (“to chase away, shoo”), Middle Low German hissen (“to chase, hound, incite”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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