“Hiss” means to make a long, soft, snake-like sound, often with a sharp “sss” noise. It can also describe a sound like air escaping quickly or someone speaking in a quiet, angry way.
People use “hiss” in everyday life to talk about snakes, steam, air, or even a person’s voice. For example, a snake hisses, a tire may hiss when air leaks out, and someone may hiss a warning or complaint softly.
Meaning & Usage
“Hiss” is both a noun and a verb. As a verb, it means to make that soft, sharp sound. As a noun, it refers to the sound itself. It is often used when something sounds thin, sharp, or unfriendly.
Examples
The snake hissed when it felt threatened.
Steam hissed out of the pipe.
She hissed, “Be quiet!”
Context / Common Use
You will most often hear “hiss” in descriptions of animals, machines, or people speaking quietly with anger or warning. It is a very common word in stories, daily speech, and sound descriptions.
What kind of sound is a hiss?
A hiss is a long, soft, sharp sound, usually like “sss.”
Can people hiss?
Yes. People can hiss when they speak very quietly, often to warn, scold, or show irritation.
Is hiss always a bad sound?
Not always. It can describe a normal sound, like air, steam, or a snake, but it can also sound unfriendly or threatening.
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