hoot

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'hoot' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'hoot' to express a loud cry or shout, usually to show excitement, surprise, or laughter. For example, you can use the sentence, "The crowd couldn't help but hoot with laughter after the comedian's joke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With contributions from Diana Rigg, Mark Addy and Emilia Clarke, and a voiceover from Liam Neeson, this is a hoot of a spoof from Chris Martin and co, who are huge fans of the series.

The Guardian

Karl's number plate suggests to me he doesn't give a hoot.

The Guardian - Sport

But if Freak Show can keep its composure – which means no zombies, Nazis, killer Santas or blokes with faces on the backs of their heads – it is well on course to be a riotous season of a show that proudly refuses to give a single hoot.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Julie Walters: Oh, they were a hoot.

The Guardian - Film

A throng of mostly small cars hoot and jostle in a race against three-wheeled auto-rickshaws, dilapidated buses, fume-belching lorries and the odd bullock cart.

The Economist

But if there is no marshall on the flight, it is up to the attendants to take charge and to try to ensure the safety of all (and that includes the miscreant)—one more reason why Gulliver couldn't give a hoot what they look like, as long as they're competent.(Photo credit: AP).

The Economist

But now the beefy, heavily-tattooed repo men at Gulf Coast hoot about the red Corvette they have just towed away; and their lot contains Cadillacs, $40,000 Harley-Davidsons, even speedboats.

The Economist

But a great virtue of the diaries is that Clark did not give a hoot what we thought about him.

The Economist

But the deal he was offered seemed harmless enough; the kind of thing that only the most dedicated political anoraks would give a hoot about.

The Economist

Expressions ("silent bared teeth", "relaxed open mouth", "pant hoot" and so on) almost always occurred in the same contexts in different groups and different species.

The Economist

The most highly parasitised birds took more than twice as long before they bothered to hoot back.In this section Runners-up in the space race Array of hope Muddy waters It's a hoot ReprintsOn top of that, when they did hoot, heavily parasitised tawnys gave the game away, because they sounded different.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hoot" to describe a sound, ensure the context clarifies whether it's a sound of derision, laughter, or an owl's call. For example, "The audience hooted in disagreement" versus "The comedian's joke made everyone hoot with laughter."

Common error

Avoid using "hoot" without considering its potential negative connotations. While it can express amusement, it can also imply derision or mockery. Be mindful of the audience and the intended message.

Linguistic Context

The word "hoot" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the characteristic cry of an owl or a derisive shout. As a verb, it describes the act of making such a sound. Ludwig examples showcase both uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "hoot" is a versatile term that functions as both a noun and a verb, primarily used to describe the sound of an owl or express derision or amusement. Ludwig examples show that it appears frequently in news and media, maintaining a neutral register. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's essential to consider the potential negative connotations of the word when expressing laughter or derision. As Ludwig AI confirms, "hoot" is a correct and usable word in written English, commonly expressing a loud cry or shout. Alternatives like "cry out" or "shout in contempt" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a hoot

An idiomatic expression indicating a lack of concern, derived from the word "hoot".

make an owl sound

Directly relates to the sound produced by an owl, which is a "hoot".

cry like an owl

Specifically refers to the owl sound that "hoot" describes.

boisterous laughter

Stresses the loud and energetic nature of laughter, like a happy "hoot".

howl with laughter

Emphasizes the loud, unrestrained laughter, similar to a joyful "hoot".

derisive shout

Focuses on the contemptuous vocalization implied by "hoot".

shout in contempt

Specifies the emotion behind the cry, akin to one usage of "hoot".

contemptuous cry

Highlights the scornful tone of a "hoot".

cry out

Focuses on the vocal expression aspect, similar to "hoot" as a sound.

express derision

Highlights the act of showing contempt, which can be done through a "hoot".

FAQs

How can I use "hoot" in a sentence?

You can use "hoot" to describe the sound an owl makes, as in "The owl hooted in the night". Alternatively, it can describe a shout of derision or laughter, such as "The crowd hooted at the politician's remarks" or "The movie was so funny, we couldn't stop hooting with laughter".

What does it mean to "give a hoot"?

To "give a hoot" means to care about something. The phrase is often used in the negative to express indifference, as in "I don't "give a hoot" about what they think".

What are some synonyms for "hoot" when referring to an owl's call?

Synonyms for "hoot" when referring to an owl's call include "coo", "cry", or simply "make an owl sound". You could say, "The owl "made an owl sound" in the forest".

Is it ever appropriate to use "hoot" in formal writing?

While "hoot" is generally acceptable, it may be better to avoid using it in formal writing, especially when referring to laughter or derision. More formal alternatives like "jeer", "laugh loudly", or "express disapproval" may be more suitable depending on the specific context.