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hoot

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hoot

1  [hoot]
Use hoot in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to cry out or shout, esp. in disapproval or derision.
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)
5. to assail with shouts of disapproval or derision: The fans hooted the umpire.
6. to drive out, off, or away by hooting.
7. to express in hoots: The crowd hooted its disagreement with the speaker.
–noun
8. the cry of an owl.
9. any similar sound, as an inarticulate shout.
10. a cry or shout, esp. of disapproval or derision.
11. British. a horn, siren, or whistle, esp. a factory whistle.
12. Informal. the least bit of concern, interest, or thought; trifle: I don't give a hoot.
13. Slang. an extremely funny person, situation, or event: Your mother's a hoot when she tells about her escapades in boarding school.
Origin:
1150–1200; ME hoten, huten, houten (v.); perh. imit.

Related forms:
hoot⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1, 5. jeer, boo, hiss. 5. razz.
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hoot

2  [hoot]
–interjection Scot. and North England.
(used as an expression of impatience, dissatisfaction, objection, or dislike.)
Also, hoots.

Origin:
1675–85; cf. Sw hut, Welsh hwt, Ir ut begone!
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To hoot
hoot 1   (hōōt)   
v.   hoot·ed, hoot·ing, hoots

v.   intr.

  1. To utter the characteristic cry of an owl.

  2. To make a loud raucous cry, especially of derision or contempt.

v.   tr.

  1. To shout down or drive off with jeering cries: hooted the speaker off the platform.

  2. To express or convey by hooting: hooted their disgust.

n.  

    1. The characteristic cry of an owl.

    2. A sound suggesting the cry of an owl, especially the sound of a horn.

  2. A cry of scorn or derision.

  3. Informal One that is hilariously funny: "Emmett, that skirt is a hoot!" (Bobbie Ann Mason).


[Middle English houten, of imitative origin.]
hoot 2   (hōōt, ōōt)   
interj.   Scots
Used to express annoyance or objection.
hoot 3   (hōōt)   
n.   Informal
A hootenanny.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
hoot

  1. in.
    to laugh loudly. : The audience screamed and hooted with their appreciation.
  2. n.
    a joke; something laughable. : The whole business was a terrific hoot.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

hoot 
c.1200, "to call or shout in disapproval or scorn," related to houten, huten "to shout, call out" (c.1225), probably imitative. First used of bird cries, especially that of the owl, c.1450. The noun meaning "a laugh, something funny" is first recorded 1942. Slang sense of "smallest amount or particle" (esp. in don't give a hoot) is from 1878.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

hoot

see not give a damn (hoot).

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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