hoot

1
[ hoot ]
See synonyms for hoot on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
  1. to cry out or shout, especially in disapproval or derision.

  2. to utter the cry characteristic of an owl.

  1. to utter a similar sound.

  2. 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.

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

  1. 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.

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

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

  3. Informal. the least bit of concern, interest, or thought; trifle: His religion doesn't matter a hoot to me.

  4. Slang. an extremely funny person, situation, or event: Your cousin is such a hoot!

Idioms about hoot

  1. not give / care a hoot,Informal. to not care at all: I don't give a hoot.: Also not give / care two hoots.

Origin of hoot

1
First recorded in 1200–1250; Middle English verb houten, whoten; imitative of the sound

Other words for hoot

Other words from hoot

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

Words Nearby hoot

Other definitions for hoot (2 of 2)

hoot2

or hoots

[ hoot ]

interjectionScot. and North England.
  1. (used as an expression of impatience, dissatisfaction, objection, or dislike.)

Origin of hoot

2
First recorded in 1600–10; hoot1 (in the sense “shout of disapproval or derision”)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hoot in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (1 of 3)

hoot1

/ (huːt) /


noun
  1. the mournful wavering cry of some owls

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

  1. a jeer of derision

  2. informal an amusing person or thing: the weekend was a hoot

  3. 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

  1. (intr) to make a hoot

  2. (intr) British to blow a horn

Origin of hoot

1
C13 hoten, of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (2 of 3)

hoot2

hoots (huːts)

/ (huːt) /


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

Origin of hoot

2
C17: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for hoot (3 of 3)

hoot3

/ (huːt) /


noun
  1. Australian and NZ a slang word for money

Origin of hoot

3
from Māori utu price

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with hoot

hoot

see not give a damn (hoot).

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