sizzle

1 of 2

verb

siz·​zle ˈsi-zəl How to pronounce sizzle (audio)
sizzled; sizzling ˈsi-zə-liŋ How to pronounce sizzle (audio)
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

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
Bring to a simmer over medium heat until the rosemary begins to sizzle, then turn the heat to its lowest setting and cook for 5 minutes. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 To get things sizzling, target shallow areas of the lake right after ice-out. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 14 Mar. 2024 Just dump all of the ingredients into a blender, give it a good whirl, pour it into a heated skillet sizzling with butter, and pop it into the oven. Emily Weinstein, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 In other words, an economy that sizzles again now appears just as likely as one that slumps. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024 In a 2006 interview with EW, Miller revealed that his would-be big breaks fizzled rather than sizzled. Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2024 The Gulf Coast and the Southeast will continue to sizzle. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 After the skillet has come out of the oven, and while the tadka is still sizzling, drizzle the spiced oil over the eggs and greens. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 When the chicken is cooked, raise the oven temperature to broil, and broil just until the top darkens in color and the onions sizzle a bit, 2 to 3 minutes. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2024
Noun
Neither did the pop and sizzle of rain pounding on the roof. Sam McManis, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 The premise is fun, but the voicework from Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele is what gives this story its sizzle — and Selick certainly agrees. Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2023 Bake for about 50 minutes at 350 degrees, then broil the dish briefly to get even more color on the chicken and a sizzle to the onions, now beautifully schmaltzy. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2024 Heads turned as the hot, hot cast iron was hoisted into its place of honor, delivering a delicious scent driven by those muted, but still telltale, sizzles and steam. Ann Maloney, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2023 What before was like this wild like sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, is now quieting down. New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023 According to the season sizzle, Tristian Thompson is a big part of Khloé’s storyline. Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety, 28 Sep. 2023 Kenny Leon, with his flair for showmanship and sizzle, is the ideal director to match Young’s indomitable energy. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2023 The zucchini, chicken, and steak all had better results with a nice little sizzle occurring while the steak cooked. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 26 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sizzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sizzle was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near sizzle

Cite this Entry

“Sizzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sizzle. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sizzle

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