Hoot Definition & Meaning

American

British

More Idioms

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms hoot 1 American [hoot] / hut /

verb (used without object)

1. to cry out or shout, especially in disapproval or derision.

   Synonyms: hiss, boo, jeer

2. to utter the cry characteristic of an owl.

3. to utter a similar sound.

4. Chiefly British. to blow a horn or whistle; toot.

verb (used with object)

1. to assail with shouts of disapproval or derision.

   The fans hooted the umpire.

   Synonyms: razz, boo

2. to drive out, off, or away by hooting.

3. to express in hoots.

   The crowd hooted its disagreement with the speaker.

noun

1. the cry of an owl.

2. any similar sound, as an inarticulate shout.

3. a cry or shout, especially of disapproval or derision.

4. British. a horn, siren, or whistle, especially a factory whistle.

5. Informal. the least bit of concern, interest, or thought; trifle.

   His religion doesn't matter a hoot to me.

6. Slang. an extremely funny person, situation, or event.

   Your cousin is such a hoot!

idioms

1. not give / care a hoot, to not care at all: null not givecare two hoots.

   I don't give a hoot.

hoot 2 American [hoot] / hut / Or hoots

interjection

Scot. and North England.

1. (used as an expression of impatience, dissatisfaction, objection, or dislike.)

hoot 1 British / huːt /

noun

1. the mournful wavering cry of some owls

2. a similar sound, such as that of a train whistle

3. a jeer of derision

4. informal an amusing person or thing

   the weekend was a hoot

5. not to care at all

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

1. (often foll by at) to jeer or yell (something) contemptuously (at someone)

2. (tr) to drive (political speakers, actors on stage, etc) off or away by hooting

3. (intr) to make a hoot

4. (intr) to blow a horn

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 hoot 2 British / huːts, huːt /

interjection

1. an exclamation of impatience or dissatisfaction: a supposed Scotticism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 hoot 3 British / huːt /

noun

1. a slang word for money

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 hoot More Idioms

1. see not give a damn (hoot).

Other Word Forms

• hootingly adverb
• unhooted adjective

Etymology

Origin of hoot1

First recorded in 1200–1250; Middle English verb houten, whoten; imitative of the sound

Origin of hoot2

First recorded in 1600–10; hoot 1 ( def. ) (in the sense “shout of disapproval or derision”)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bullfrogs and hoot owls were jarring the ground with their deep voices.

From Literature

They had pushed the writhing creature up to Rowan's mouth and hooted after him as he ran away.

From Literature

He could hear crickets and the hoot of an owl, and from the room inside, the soft snores of a family who would be relieved in the morning when he wasn’t there.

From Literature

De Angelis and Waltz are also a hoot together, she as a heaving, hissing vampire bride who can’t stop licking her chops, he as a bone-dry vampire hunter dedicated to his investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

That made the board members hoot and holler to beat the band.

From Literature

Related Words

• boo
• heckle
• hiss
• howl
• jeer
• scream
• whistle

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.