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Hiss Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hiss

[hɪs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

sound

Make a sharp sibilant sound as of the letter s.

Synonyms

sibilate, whisper.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hiss

Use when describing a sound similar to steam escaping or someone speaking angrily under their breath.

  • The radiator began to hiss, signaling it was heating up
  • 'You'll regret this,' he hissed through his teeth
sibilate

A formal term describing the act of making a hissing sound. Often used in literature or technical descriptions.

  • 'Be quiet,' she sibilated, her eyes narrowing
  • The tires sibilated softly on the wet road
whisper

Use when referring to speaking very softly without vibration of the vocal cords, often to keep a conversation private.

  • They began to whisper so the others wouldn't hear
  • 'I love you,' he whispered in her ear

Examples of usage

  • He hissed angrily at the cat.
  • The snake hissed warningly.
Context #2 | Noun

reptile

A long, low, sibilant sound made by a cat or snake as a warning or to express disapproval.

Synonyms

hissing, sibilant sound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hiss

This duplicate appears due to input error. The context and examples will be similar to the previous 'hiss'.
sibilant sound

This term is more technical or academic, often used in phonetics or linguistics to describe a sound characterized by a hissing quality, like the 's' or 'sh' sound in speech.

  • The teacher explained that the 's' in 'snake' is a sibilant sound.
  • Linguists study sibilant sounds to understand speech patterns better.
hissing

Typically used to describe an ongoing process or continuous sound, like steam escaping or a snake in a defensive posture. It can also refer to people expressing disapproval or anger in a drawn-out manner.

  • I noticed the hissing of steam from the broken pipe.
  • The audience began hissing at the performer after a bad joke.

Examples of usage

  • The cat gave a hiss of annoyance.
  • The snake let out a loud hiss.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Animal Behavior

  • Many reptiles, especially snakes, use hissing as a warning to potential threats, signaling aggression or fear.
  • Cats also hiss when they feel threatened, a sound indicating they want to be left alone or warn others.

Cultural Symbolism

  • Hissing can symbolize disapproval or contempt in social settings, often leading to its use in protest or exasperation.
  • In some cultures, a hiss is used to convey danger, signaling others to be cautious or alert.

Sound Symbolism

  • In linguistics, the sound 's' is often associated with sharpness, aligning with hissing's intention to evoke a similar feeling.
  • Hissing sounds are frequently used in films and games to create tension, indicating a lurking threat or villain.

Origin of 'hiss'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Middle English 'hisen', which is a playful sound imitating the act being described.
  • Related words in other languages, like 'sibilare' in Latin, also mean to hiss or make a similar sound.

The word 'hiss' originated from the Middle English 'hissen', which in turn came from the Old French 'huisser'. It is believed that the imitative sound of hissing has been associated with disapproval or warning since ancient times. The use of 'hiss' to describe the sound made by snakes and cats dates back to the 14th century.

See also: his, his/her.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,450, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.