hoot
13 synonyms and 1 antonym for hoot, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The low, mournful call of an owl.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The low, mournful call of an owl.
“We heard the hoot of an owl deep in the woods.”
2. verb
To make the cry of an owl, or to shout in mockery or amusement.
“The crowd hooted with laughter at the joke.”
Opposites
How to use hoot
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
hoot with laughter
the hoot of an owl
Etymology
From Middle English houten, likely of Scandinavian origin, related to old words meaning "to shout in contempt."
Full origin of hoot →Frequently asked questions
What does “hoot” mean?
The word “hoot” means the low, mournful call of an owl. In plain terms, an owl's call, or informally, something hilarious or a mocking shout.
How do you pronounce “hoot”?
“Hoot” is pronounced hoot (/huːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “hoot” in a sentence?
Here is “hoot” used in a sentence: “We heard the hoot of an owl deep in the woods.”
What part of speech is “hoot”?
Depending on how it is used, “hoot” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hoot” come from?
The word “hoot” comes from Middle English. From Middle English houten, likely of Scandinavian origin, related to old words meaning "to shout in contempt.".
How many meanings does “hoot” have?
“Hoot” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the low, mournful call of an owl.
