hoot

A "hoot" can be a loud burst of laughter, like when friends cannot stop laughing at a great joke. It is also the deep call of an owl in the night. People can also hoot at someone to show disapproval or to make fun of them, like a crowd reacting to a bad performance. In everyday talk, if you call someone or something "a hoot," you mean they are very funny and fun to be around. The word often brings to mind strong, lively sounds, whether they come from people, birds, or even a horn.

The word "hoot" is a vibrant piece of the English language with deep roots in sound. Most commonly, it refers to a loud, sudden burst of laughter. When an audience responds with "hoots of mirth," it suggests a raw, unrestrained sense of fun. It is also the primary term for the characteristic cry of an owl—that hollow, rhythmic "hoo-hoo" that defines the nighttime atmosphere. This usage is onomatopoeic, meaning the word itself mimics the sound it describes.

However, "hoot" carries a sharper edge when used to express derision. To hoot at a speaker or a performer is to shout or call out in disapproval, a vocal form of rejection often heard in rowdy theaters or sports stadiums. In some varieties of English, "hoot" can also refer to the sound made by a horn or siren, or to making that sound to get attention.

Beyond these literal sounds, "hoot" has found a home in common idioms. If you describe a person or an event as "a real hoot," you are saying they are hilarious or a lot of fun. Conversely, the phrase "I don't give a hoot" is a popular, slightly old-fashioned way to say you don't care at all about a particular situation. From the quiet of a forest to the roar of a comedy club, "hoot" captures a wide spectrum of human and animal expression.