hoot Hear it!

hoot¹ Definition

hoot (ho̵̅o̅t)

intransitive verb

  1. to utter its characteristic hollow sound: said of an owl
  2. to utter a sound like this
  3. to shout or cry out, esp. in scorn or disapproval

Etymology: ME houten, of echoic orig., as also in Swed, Norw huta

transitive verb

  1. to express (scorn, disapproval, etc.) of by hooting
  2. to drive or chase away by hooting to hoot an actor off the stage

noun

  1. the sound that an owl makes
  2. any sound like this
  3. a loud shout or cry of scorn or disapproval
  4. ☆ the least bit; whit not worth a hoot
  5. Informal a very amusing person, thing, event, etc. it's an old joke but a real hoot

hoot² Definition

hoot (ho̵̅o̅t, o̵̅o̅t)

Scot., North Eng. used to express objection, irritation, etc.

Etymology: ? var. of hoot

hoot Synonyms

hoot

n.

howl, whoo, boo; see cry 2.

hoot Synonyms

hoot

v.

cry out against, boo, howl down; see cry 3.

hoot Telecom Definition
  1. shout, or holler.
  2. Something or someone hilarious, as in "Billy Bob is a real hoot, don't y'all reckon?" See also hoot 'n' holler.
hoot Usage Examples

Object

  • owl: An owl hooted on the top of the warehouse, the wind getting colder.
  • horn: Don't slam car doors, hoot car horns, or shout to your friends.
  • car: The director seems to pick out one at a time a hooting car, a clanking, scratching, scraping.

Converse of object

  • give: Britain didn't give a hoot for the welfare of a few heathen Turks.
  • care: But why should we care a hoot about what Rouse thinks?
  • have: Even Tracey Emin looked like she was having a hoot in the front row.
  • hear: I ran after those awful aliens I threw my boot but then I heard a hoot.
  • bring: Became a bit of a carpet salesman, myself... " This brought hoots of derision from some of his listeners.
  • matter: It doesn't matter two hoots that you've already paid out a small fortune.

Adjective modifier

  • absolute: Anybody familiar with British pub culture, more especially ' blokes ' will find this an absolute hoot.
  • real: Once through the sump, declared a real hoot by all concerned, we had a quick crawl around the large chambers.

Modifies a noun

  • owl: Ghostly phosphorescent footsteps lead through darkened corridors of atomized attic space and hoot owl operatics.

Modifying Another Word

  • n't: They must be the only Owls who do n't hoot at night!
  • much: The road was very busy with traffic, with much hooting of horns, obviously a very popular weekend route for locals.

Noun used with modifier

  • owl: Real owls hoot, making all of us jump.

Preposition: of

  • derision: Became a bit of a carpet salesman, myself... " This brought hoots of derision from some of his listeners.
  • owl: The hoot of an owl, the sound of some animal moving in the darkness just reinforces the words he says.
  • laughter: The absence of alcohol didn't seem to prevent great hoots of laughter at the speeches.
  • horn: The road was very busy with traffic, with much hooting of horns, obviously a very popular weekend route for locals.

Preposition: with

  • laughter: Some have them hooting with laughter: 'How do you find your mouth?

Browse dictionary entries near hoot

  1. Hoosier
  2. hoosegow
  3. hooray
  4. hoopster
  5. hoopoe
  6. hoopla
  7. hoop snake
  8. hoop skirt
  9. hoop
  10. hooligan
  1. hoot and holler
  2. hoot 'n' holler
  3. hoot owl
  4. hootch
  5. hootchy-kootchy
  6. hootenanny
  7. hooter
  8. Hoover
  9. Hoover Dam
  10. hooves