hoot

¹

[ hoot ]

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!

hoot

²

or hoots

[ hoot ]

interjection

, Scot. and North England.

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

hoot

¹

/ 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 give a hoot
   not to care at all

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

hoot

²

/ huːt /

noun

1. a slang word for money

hoot

³

/ huːts; huːt /

interjection

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

Other Words From

• hoot·ing·ly adverb
• un·hoot·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

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”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoot¹

C13 hoten, of imitative origin

Origin of hoot²

from Māori utu price

Origin of hoot³

C17: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

   I don't give a hoot.

More idioms and phrases containing hoot

see not give a damn (hoot) .

Example Sentences

Koch, taking on the role that won Bonnie Mulligan a Tony, is a felonious hoot.

From Los Angeles Times

Wide-eyed, wild-haired, and disheveled, Keaton's crusty trickster still invokes the patron demon of late-stage crack addiction, bringing with him the same wily unpredictability that made him such a hoot last time.

From Salon

Before the final snap Saturday morning, with the score tied in a competition between the opposing sides, the defensive players watching from the sideline hopped and hooted in anticipation.

From Los Angeles Times

The show is essentially a love letter to action-driven movie illusions, and a real hoot.

From Los Angeles Times

Bitterness on the convention floor, including Rockefeller being nearly hooted off the podium, left a fractured party.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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