rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryheckleDisrupting a speaker
verb

heckle

HEK-ul/ˈhekl/

To interrupt a speaker or performer with unwelcome comments.

An audience member heckles the performer from his seat.

A hostile audience member leans forward and shouts toward a stage, interrupting a performer who has lowered her microphone and stopped mid-gesture.
Etymology
heckleMiddle Englishflax comb

The flax-comb noun, or a related Dutch verb, underlies the original sense of combing flax or hemp. The shift through severe questioning to hostile interruption presumably evokes rough treatment.

In context

GQ8:41
… you could heckle the Dolphins from here if you wanted to, but of course I wouldn't do that.
What a $500K Seat Gets You at the Super Bowl | All Access | GQ Sports

More examples

  • The comedian responded calmly to the person heckling him.
  • She asked the crowd not to heckle during the debate.
  • He was heckled throughout the announcement.

Forms

heckle · heckles · heckled · heckling

Similar words

taunt
Taunt means provoke or mock; heckle specifically interrupts a speaker or performer.
boo
Boo means voice disapproval with a particular sound; heckle may involve shouted remarks or questions.