hoot

verb

/huːt/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they hoot	/huːt/ /huːt/
he / she / it hoots	/huːts/ /huːts/
past simple hooted	/ˈhuːtɪd/ /ˈhuːtɪd/
past participle hooted	/ˈhuːtɪd/ /ˈhuːtɪd/
-ing form hooting	/ˈhuːtɪŋ/ /ˈhuːtɪŋ/

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[intransitive] to make a loud noise
- He had the audience hooting with laughter.
- Some people hooted in disgust.
- The crowd hooted and cheered.
- His friends all hooted with laughter.
[intransitive, transitive] (British English) if a car horn hoots or you hoot or hoot the horn, the horn makes a loud noise synonym honk
- The car behind me hooted impatiently.
- hoot at somebody/something Why did he hoot at me?
- hoot something Passing motorists hooted their horns.
- The train hooted a warning (= the driver sounded the horn to warn people).
[intransitive] when an owl hoots, it makes a long calling soundTopics Birdsc2

Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘make sounds of derision’): perhaps imitative.

noun

/huːt/

Idioms

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[countable] (especially British English) a short loud laugh or shout
- The suggestion was greeted by hoots of laughter.
- He struggled through his speech while members of the audience interrupted with hoots and jeers.
[singular] (informal) a situation or a person that you find very funny
- You ought to meet her—she's a hoot!
- The film was a real hoot!
[countable] the loud sound made by the horn of a vehicle
[countable] the call of an owlTopics Birdsc2

Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘make sounds of derision’): perhaps imitative.

Idioms

not care/give a hoot | not care/give two hoots

(informal) not to care at all
- I don’t care two hoots about having money, as long as I’m happy.