interjection / noun / verb
tut
TUT/tʌt/
A clicking sound expressing mild disapproval or impatience.
The man gives a disapproving tut at the crumbs on the clean floor.
Etymology
The recorded interjection expressed impatient or dismissive contempt. Its use for mild disapproval or impatience preserves that dismissive force; the supplied evidence does not establish a deeper origin.
In context
“Tut, man! you are as foolish yourself,” said Simon. “Here we are with our work in hand, and yet you must needs fall out with me on our way to it.
More examples
- “Tut, you could at least say thank you,” he says.
- My aunt tutted when I put my elbows on the table.
- He keeps tutting at drivers who block the crosswalk.
Forms
tut · tuts · tutted · tutting
Similar words
- tsk
- Common American representation of the same disapproving clicking sound.
- tut-tut
- Represents a repeated click rather than a single sound.