I. hoot 1 /huːt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . a shout or laugh that shows you think something is funny or stupid
hoot of laughter/derision etc
Hoots of laughter rose from the audience.
2 . a sound that an ↑ owl makes
3 . a short clear sound made by a vehicle or ship, as a warning
4 . be a hoot spoken to be very funny or amusing
5 . don’t give a hoot/don’t care two hoots spoken to not care at all about someone or something
don’t give a hoot/don’t care two hoots about
It was clear that Owen didn’t care two hoots about her.
II. hoot 2 BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1100-1200 ; Origin: From the sound ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] if a vehicle or ship hoots, it makes a loud clear noise as a warning
hoot at
The car behind was hooting at me.
2 . [intransitive] if an ↑ owl hoots, it makes a long ‘oo’ sound
3 . [intransitive and transitive] to laugh loudly because you think something is funny or stupid
hoot with laughter/glee/mirth etc
He had the audience hooting with laughter.