To shush someone means to tell them to be quiet, usually by making a soft “shhhh” sound or by saying the word itself. When a librarian shushes noisy students, she's asking them to lower their voices so others can concentrate. A parent might shush a chattering child during a movie or a serious conversation.

The word captures that specific gesture: putting a finger to your lips and making that long “shhhh” sound. Unlike shouting “Be quiet!” which is loud and harsh, shushing is gentler and quieter, almost like you're demonstrating what you want by example.

You can also shush yourself. If you realize you're talking during a speech or performance, you might quickly shush yourself and stop mid-sentence. Sometimes people use it playfully, like when friends are giggling during a serious moment and one whispers “Shush!” while trying not to laugh.

The word works as both a verb (“Please shush”) and as the sound itself (“Shhhh!”). While shushing someone is usually necessary and appropriate, constantly shushing people can seem bossy or rude, especially if they have legitimate reasons to speak.