sizzle

1 of 2

verb

siz·​zle ˈsi-zəl 

sizzled; sizzling ˈsi-zə-liŋ 

ˈsiz-liŋ

transitive verb

: to burn up or sear with or as if with a hissing sound

intransitive verb

1

: to make a hissing sound in or as if in burning or frying

2

: to seethe with deep anger or resentment

sizzle

2 of 2

noun

1

: a hissing sound (as of something frying over a fire)

2

: pizzazz, excitement

Synonyms

Verb

• fizz
• fizzle
• hiss
• swish
• whish
• whiz
• whizz

Noun

• fizz
• hiss
• swish
• whish
• whiz
• whizz

Examples of sizzle in a Sentence

Verb

bacon sizzling in the pan

Their romance sizzled throughout the whole summer.

The book sizzles with excitement.

Noun

there was a brief sizzle as the moth flew into the flame

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

These spicy ramen noodles come in a 36-pack sampler of all the available flavors: sweet chili, Taiwanese tingly pepper, garlic chili, sizzling chili garlic, smoky chili, and fiery hot tonkatsu. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

The book sizzles in its distillations, is coolly askew in its dark spirals. —Jason Parham, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024

Noun

Despite the visuals lacking a radiant appearance astronomically, the new moon dazzles astrologically as its energy sizzles in the cosmos. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024

During the sizzle of summer, extended escapes from Phoenix are crucial for mental health. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

perhaps frequentative of siss to hiss

First Known Use

Verb

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

circa 1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sizzle

• sizzle reel

Kids Definition

sizzle

verb

siz·​zle

ˈsiz-əl

sizzled; sizzling

-(ə-)liŋ

: to make a hissing sound in or as if in burning or frying

sizzle noun

sizzler

-(ə-)lər

noun