hissy

comparative hissier · superlative hissiest

1. Accompanied with hisses.
2. Making a hissing sound.

   Each is very inexpensive ($60 per two-pack for the Midland, $100 a pair for the Audiovox), and feels it. Each is also tiny, no bigger than a bar of Ivory. Both are far hissier than their more expensive rivals, and don't have as much range (more on this in a moment).

   2003 May 8, David Pogue, “STATE OF THE ART; For Two-Way Radios, a Mileage Test”, in The New York Times

   Synonyms: hissing

3. Childish or petulant.

   Midwestern-bred and still wholesome despite his exposure to New York’s hissiest, Sam remains the play’s anchor.

   2016 March 30, Ligaya Mishan, “Jesse Tyler Ferguson Skewers Food Culture on Broadway”, in The New York Times

   1 more example

   Viewers were aghast. . . . As co-host Regis Philbin flinched, Gifford launched into a teary, it's-not-my-fault, TV hissy fit: "You can say I'm ugly, you can say I'm not talented, but when you say I don't care about children, how dare you!"

   1996 May 13, David E. Thigpen, “If You Could Hear Her Now”, in Time

   Synonyms: bad-tempered

plural hissies

1. USA tantrum, a fit.

   get into a hissy

   Synonyms: tantrum