# psst

/psst/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Interjection

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/psst
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

a sound you make to get someone's attention quietly. You use it when you want to talk to someone without other people hearing.

For teachers: an onomatopoeic sound used to attract attention or signal a desire to speak privately.

## Examples

- Psst, can you come over here for a second?
- He gave a quiet psst to his friend across the room to let him know they needed to talk.
- The whisper of the wind was barely audible over the rustling leaves, but a sharp psst from the bushes made the hikers pause and look around.

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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.