sizzle

Probably a derivative of Middle English sissen (“to hiss; buzz; hum”), equivalent to siss +‎ -le (frequentative suffix).

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈsɪzəl/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪzəl

sizzle (third-person singular simple present sizzles, present participle sizzling, simple past and past participle sizzled)

1. (intransitive) To make the sound of water boiling on a hot surface.

   The sausages were sizzling on the barbecue.

2. (transitive, informal) To cook (something) in a manner which causes that sound.

   I sizzled the bacon for a few minutes in the pan.

3. (intransitive) To be exciting or dazzling.

   The song sizzled with energy.

• sizzler

sizzle (countable and uncountable, plural sizzles)

1. (countable) The sound of water boiling on a hot surface.

   We heard the sizzle of the onions hitting the pan.

2. (countable, informal) The process of being cooked which involves that sound.

   Give them a sizzle for a few more minutes before serving.

3. (uncountable) Zing, zip, or pizazz; excitement.

   Her performance had a lot of sizzle.

• zizels