Hissing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a continuous, high-pitched sound, often made by something releasing air or steam. It can also describe the sound made by some animals, like snakes or cats, when they feel threatened.

• The snake's hissing warned us to stay back.
• We heard a hissing noise coming from the radiator.

Refers to the act or sound of making a sharp, sibilant noise. This word can describe both the action and the sound itself, and can be used for humans, animals, and inanimate objects. Often used in a negative context, indicating displeasure or warning.

• The audience began to hiss at the performer.
• She hissed at him to be quiet during the movie.

Refers to a specific kind of sound that has a hissing or 's' quality. This is often used in linguistics or more technical descriptions of sound.

• She had a distinctive, sibilant sound to her speech.
• The sibilant sounds in the language make it difficult for some to learn.

Describes a sudden, high-pitched noise. It can be used to talk about various abrupt or cutting sounds, and is often more general than 'hiss' or 'hissing'.

• There was a sharp sound as the glass shattered.
• I heard a sharp sound of metal against metal.

Again, commonly used to describe the sound snakes make or to show disapproval, as previously mentioned.

• The cat was hissing at the intruder to show its displeasure.
• There was a soft hissing sound coming from the broken pipe.

This phrase is more technical and typically used in scientific or detailed descriptions. It focuses on the act of producing the hissing noise.

• The malfunctioning valve began to emit a hissing sound.
• The sprinkler system emitted a hissing sound as it activated.

This phrase is more formal and might be used in literary descriptions or academic contexts. It emphasizes the characteristic of the noise rather than its source.

• The whispers made a sibilant noise that filled the haunted house.
• The tires on the wet road made a sibilant noise as the car sped by.