hoot Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
  2. noun a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
    razz; boo; razzing; Bronx cheer; hiss; raspberry; bird; snort.
  3. noun something of little value
    tinker's dam; tinker's damn; red cent; damn; darn; shucks; shit.
    • his promise is not worth a damn
    • not worth one red cent
    • not worth shucks
  4. verb to utter a loud clamorous shout
    • the toughs and blades of the city hoot and bang their drums, drink arak, play dice, and dance
  5. verb utter the characteristic sound of owls

WordNet

Hoot intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. hoten, houten, huten; cf. OSw. huta, Sw. huta ut to take one up sharply, fr. Sw. hut interj., begone! cf. also W. hwt off! off with it! away! hoot!
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Hooted; present participle & verbal noun Hooting
Definitions
  1. To cry out or shout in contempt.
    Matrons and girls shall hoot at thee no more. Dryden.
  2. To make the peculiar cry of an owl.
    The clamorous owl that nightly hoots. Shak.
Hoot transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To assail with contemptuous cries or shouts; to follow with derisive shouts.
    Partridge and his clan may hoot me for a cheat. Swift.
Hoot noun
Definitions
  1. A derisive cry or shout. Glanvill.
  2. The cry of an owl.

Webster 1913