hoot

Everyday

1. (of an owl) To make its long oo sound. tree →
2. To sound a car horn (mainly UK, Australia). tree →
3. To laugh loudly, or to shout in mockery. tree →
4. (informal, noun) A hoot is something or someone very funny: the film was a hoot. tree →
5. (informal) Not give a hoot means not care at all. tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons, owls hoot at night (the tawny owl's twit-twoo is two owls calling). In everyday life, drivers hoot to warn others. In stories, a funny character is a hoot. Phrases: hoot with laughter, not give a hoot, what a hoot.

Examples

• An owl hooted in the dark woods. tree →
• The driver hooted at the cyclist. tree →
• We hooted with laughter at the clown. tree →
• The school play was an absolute hoot. tree →
• He doesn't give a hoot about football. tree →
• The train hooted as it came into the station. tree →
• They shouted and hooted with great glee. tree →

Note

Regular verb: hooted. Hooter is old informal UK slang for a car horn or a nose. In the USA people usually say honk for car horns.