# hoot

/ˈhut/ (US) · /hˈuːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hoot
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. owl sound

noun · CEFR B1

the low, deep sound that an owl makes at night.

For teachers: the characteristic vocalization of an owl.

- We heard a loud hoot from the trees behind the house last night.
- The rhythmic hoot of a great horned owl echoed through the valley, breaking the silence of the midnight forest.

### 2. funny person or thing

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone or something that is very funny or enjoyable.

For teachers: a person or situation that is remarkably amusing or entertaining.

- You should meet my aunt; she is a total hoot at parties.
- The improvised comedy show turned out to be a real hoot, exceeding the audience's expectations for the evening.

### 3. shout of dislike or laughter

noun · CEFR B2

a short, loud shout that shows you are laughing or that you disagree with someone.

For teachers: a loud, sudden cry, typically expressing derision, contempt, or boisterous celebration.

- His suggestion was met with hoots of laughter from the rest of the team.
- The speaker's controversial statement was drowned out by hoots of derision from the protesters in the back row.

### 4. to make a sound

verb · CEFR B2

to make the sound of an owl or to shout loudly.

For teachers: to utter the cry of an owl or to shout in a loud, derisive, or celebratory manner.

- The crowd started to hoot when the referee made a bad decision.
- Owls began to hoot in the distance as the sun disappeared below the horizon.

### 5. to sound a car horn

verb · CEFR B2 · British English

to use a car horn to make a loud warning sound.

For teachers: to sound the horn of a motor vehicle.

- The driver behind me started to hoot because I was moving too slowly.
- Impatient motorists began to hoot their horns as the traffic jam showed no signs of clearing.

Usage: Commonly used in British English where American speakers would use 'honk'.

## Examples

- That was a real hoot.
- The comedian's performance was a total hoot, and the audience laughed until they cried.
- The documentary was a real hoot, blending serious historical facts with a light-hearted narrative that kept the viewers engaged throughout the evening.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.