ENGLISH
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hoot

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhut// UK //hˈuːt// hoot Slang

n. a very funny or impressive thing. You use this when you want to say something is great or makes you laugh a lot.

n. a highly amusing, impressive, or excellent thing. Informal in register; often used to express strong approval or surprise.


SIMPLE

That was a real hoot.

CONTEXTUAL

The comedian's performance was a total hoot, and the audience laughed until they cried.

COMPLEX

The documentary was a real hoot, blending serious historical facts with a light-hearted narrative that kept the viewers engaged throughout the evening.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English houten, huten, hoten, of North Germanic origin, from or related to Old Swedish huta (“to cast out in contempt”), related to Middle High German hiuzen, hūzen (“to call to pursuit”), Swedish hut! (“begone!”, interjection), Dutch hui (“ho, hallo”), Danish huj (“ho, hallo”).

Etymology 2

A variant of utu (influenced by etymology 1), borrowed from Māori utu (“payment, revenge, payback”).

Idioms1 entry

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