tut-tut

[ pronounced as two alveolar clicks; spelling pronunciation tuht-tuht ]

interjection

, tut-tut·ted, tut-tut·ting.

1. tut.

tut-tut

/ ˈtʌtˈtʌt /

interjection

1. an exclamation of mild reprimand, disapproval, or surprise

verb

1. intr to express disapproval by the exclamation of "tut-tut"

noun

1. the act of tut-tutting

Word History and Origins

Origin of tut-tut¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

I’d be more inclined to tut-tut at the puerility of the late Victorian sense of humor, except TikTok was only recently convincing people to eat Tide Pods.

From Seattle Times

"It could be good for Harry in the long run, even though the older generation will be tut-tutting," she says.

From BBC

This is not a proposal that one should feel sorry for Madonna or tut-tut at her devotion to vanity which, again, has always been the case.

From Salon

I yell, and she tut-tuts and brings us both some aspirin and some water.

From Literature

The tut-tut argument to Bush that “the rules were the rules” is like arguing a hostage shouldn’t have tried to free himself from debt servitude.

From Washington Post