Hisses

The verb 'hisses' describes the act of making a sharp, sibilant sound, like the 's' sound, typically produced by forcing air through a narrow opening. It can be made by animals (snakes, cats) as a warning or expression of displeasure, by steam or other gases escaping under pressure, or by humans to express disapproval or contempt. The sound itself is often characterized as a drawn-out 'ssss' and is frequently associated with negative or threatening contexts. The intensity and duration of the hissing can vary, conveying different levels of emotion or danger. This action is a visceral form of communication, often used to signal a need for distance or an impending attack.

Hisses meaning with examples

• The snake, coiled and ready, hisses at the intruder, its forked tongue flicking out, warning it to stay away. This sudden sound sent a shiver down the hiker's spine, immediately recognizing the dangerous situation. Its piercing vocalizations underscored the immediate threat.
• Steam from the pressure cooker hisses loudly as it releases a small amount of pressure, signaling that the cooking cycle is nearly complete. The escaping vapor created a fog on the stove, making its impending readiness know to anyone who would have been unaware.
• The audience hisses at the villain's outrageous act, clearly showing their disapproval of his wicked actions on stage. Their collective reaction echoed throughout the theater, demonstrating the emotional investment of everyone there to the performers.
• The cat hisses defensively when the new puppy approaches too closely, hoping to scare it away and protect her personal space. This form of communication demonstrated the cats fear of the unknown and the potential danger of interacting.
• As the faulty valve released gas, it hisses ominously, growing in intensity, a sign of a potentially dangerous situation. The workers immediately evacuated and put a call in to the safety department. The sound was a warning.