hooted; hooting; hoots
1
: to shout or laugh usually derisively
2
: to make the natural throat noise of an owl or a similar cry
3
: to make a loud clamorous mechanical sound
1
: a sound of hooting
especially
: the cry of an owl
2
: a minimum amount or degree : the least bit
don't give a hoot
3
: something or someone amusing
the play is a real hoot
variants
or hoots
chiefly Scotland
—used to express impatience, dissatisfaction, or objection
Examples of hoot in a Sentence
Verb
We could hear an owl hooting in the woods.
I hooted at the car in front of me.
The crowd booed and hooted when it was announced that the show was canceled.
The crowd hooted its disapproval.
The speaker was hooted off the platform by a small group of protesters.
Noun
The announcement was met with hoots of derision.
the courtroom erupted in hoots of laughter upon hearing the witness's sarcastic retort to the lawyer's arrogant remark
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2025
Those tend to not have much applause or anybody hooting and hollering.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
Jon Heder is a dull vacancy that Ferrell keeps trying to spur into action, but the rest of the supporting cast is a hoot, particularly Will Arnett and Amy Poehler as a rival skating duo.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hoot 
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Verb
While the health-secretary nominee testified, his fans in the audience hooted and hollered in support.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2025
Those tend to not have much applause or anybody hooting and hollering.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
Those rules are broken and the results are messy, monstrous and metaphorical in a hilariously jaw-dropping hoot about beauty and self-worth.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
Jon Heder is a dull vacancy that Ferrell keeps trying to spur into action, but the rest of the supporting cast is a hoot, particularly Will Arnett and Amy Poehler as a rival skating duo.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hoot
Articles Related to hoot
Dictionary Entries Near hoot
Cite this Entry
“Hoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoot. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hoot
1 of 2 verb1
: to utter a loud shout usually of scorn
2
: to make the characteristic call of an owl or a similar sound
3
: to drive out by hooting
hooter
noun
hoot
2 of 2 noun1
: a sound of hooting
especially
: the call of an owl
2
: a very small amount
don't give a hoot
3
: an amusing person or thing
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