shhh

USAGE SUMMARY

"shhh" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used when someone is trying to be quiet or trying to tell someone else to be quiet. Example sentence: "Shhh, the baby is asleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MacKenzie McHale (Emily Mortimer) is his ex-girlfriend whom Will doesn't like (shhh but he does, oh no he doesn't, ooh he's so torn).

Independent

They assemble, making "shhh" noises and singing long, slow notes.

Independent

The Voder's speech was derived from two principal sounds: a vibrating buzz and a "shhh" — known as "unvoiced hiss energy".

The New Yorker

(Is fifteen seconds long enough to decide whether or not to watch one more? Probably not, but it's too late, shhh, the show's starting).

The New Yorker

Clarke and Lindo play characters who are cut from molds, and have been saddled with some over-the-top bits of business (Wysocki can't keep a partner; he can't abide swearing; and he's having an affair with his ex-wife — shhh, don't tell his fiancée!), but they're magnetic.

The New Yorker

"Shhh," I said soothingly.

Independent

Big secret, shhh.

Independent

"Shhh," I said.

The New Yorker

"Shhh!" went the soundtrack, as distressed women, graying hair in chaotic curls and scarlet lipstick as drawn by a clown, displayed pieces like a dress with a wicker pannier skirt or rubber over lace.

The New York Times

And shhh: Many moms and dads actually don't mind the music.

The New York Times - Arts

He will mine popular standards and may even sing some original material, including "Shhh!!!" — a playful but pointed exhortation he wrote after facing a particularly noisy audience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shhh" sparingly in formal writing. It is best suited for dialogue or informal contexts where the intent is to convey a sense of urgency or secrecy.

Common error

Avoid using "shhh" excessively in descriptive passages. It's more effective to describe the quiet atmosphere or the characters' actions to create a sense of silence rather than relying on the interjection.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shhh" is as an interjection. It's used to express a sudden feeling or command, specifically to request or demand silence. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to quiet someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shhh" is an interjection used to request silence, commonly found in informal contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions to interrupt noise or conversation, often to maintain quiet or secrecy. While grammatically correct, its usage is generally confined to speech or informal writing, avoiding formal registers. Ludwig examples from news sources show it is very common in that context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hush

A simple, direct command to be quiet.

quiet

A general request for silence or reduced noise.

be quiet

A more explicit instruction to stop talking.

silence

A formal command for quietness.

zip it

An informal and sometimes rude command to be quiet.

not so loud

An instruction to reduce the volume of one's voice.

hold your tongue

A request or command to refrain from speaking.

peace

An informal term that implies stop/end the conversation to achieve silence.

enough

A general request that implies the silence.

shut up

A rude and direct command to stop talking.

FAQs

How can I use "shhh" in a sentence?

"Shhh" is typically used as an interjection to tell someone to be quiet. For example: "Shhh, the movie is starting!"

What is the difference between "shhh" and "hush"?

Both "shhh" and "hush" are used to ask for silence, but "shhh" often implies secrecy or a need for immediate quiet, while "hush" can be more soothing or comforting.

What can I say instead of "shhh"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be quiet", "hush", or "silence".

Is it appropriate to use "shhh" in formal situations?

No, it's generally not appropriate to use "shhh" in formal situations. Opt for more polite and formal requests for quiet, such as "please be quiet" or "could you keep it down".