FIZZLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does fizzle mean? 

• FIZZLE (noun)
  The noun FIZZLE has 2 senses:

1. a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)

2. a complete failure

  Familiarity information: FIZZLE used as a noun is rare.

• FIZZLE (verb)
  The verb FIZZLE has 1 sense:

1. end weakly

  Familiarity information: FIZZLE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FIZZLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

fizzle; hiss; hissing; hushing; sibilation

Context example:

the performers could not be heard over the hissing of the audience

Hypernyms ("fizzle" is a kind of...):

noise (sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound))

Sense 2

Meaning:

A complete failure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

bust; fizzle; flop

Context example:

the play was a dismal flop

Hypernyms ("fizzle" is a kind of...):

failure (an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fizzle"):

bomb; dud; turkey (an event that fails badly or is totally ineffectual)

• FIZZLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they fizzle    ... he / she / it fizzles   
Past simple: fizzled   
Past participle: fizzled   
-ing form: fizzling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

End weakly

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

fizzle; fizzle out; peter out; taper off

Context example:

The music just petered out--there was no proper ending

Hypernyms (to "fizzle" is one way to...):

discontinue (come to or be at an end)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

 Context examples 

But it was a fizzle.

(White Fang, by Jack London)