psst
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Imitative [1920s]. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.
Pronunciation
Interjection
psst (with more 's' as needed)
- (onomatopoeia) Implies that the speaker is sending secret or whispered information to another person.
- Psst, John, don’t tell anyone, but I’ve got lots of candy stashed away.
Synonyms
- hist; see also Thesaurus:hey
Translations
implying secrecy
Verb
psst (third-person singular simple present pssts, present participle pssting, simple past and past participle pssted)
- (informal) To say psst, to get someone's attention or to communicate with them.
- 2015, Dale Peck, The Garden of Lost and Found[1]:
- and I was just rounding the fourth-floor landing when Claudia pssted at me