Word
sizzle
Phoneticssiz·zle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɪzəɫ/
UK/sˈɪzəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the sound of something cooking in hot oil or the way it makes a loud noise when it hits a pan. It can also describe a person who is very attractive or exciting.
n. the hissing sound produced by food cooking in hot fat or by water hitting a hot surface. In informal contexts, it refers to a person who is sexually attractive or possesses a high level of energy.
Examples
“The sizzle of the bacon filled the kitchen.”
“The chef added the garlic to the pan just as the oil began to sizzle.”
“The restaurant was famous for its signature dish, which was served with a dramatic sizzle of butter over the open flame to the delight of the diners.”
Examples
simple
“The sizzle of the bacon filled the kitchen.”
contextual
“The chef added the garlic to the pan just as the oil began to sizzle.”
complex
“The restaurant was famous for its signature dish, which was served with a dramatic sizzle of butter over the open flame to the delight of the diners.”
Real-World Examples
“Producer Switch clearly knew what to do, the songwriting was strong, Khan’s voice still sizzles.” Etymology
Probably a derivative of Middle English sissen (“to hiss; buzz; hum”), equivalent to siss + -le (frequentative suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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