sibilance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “sibilance” mean?
A hissing sound made while speaking, particularly on consonant sounds like 's' and 'sh'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hissing sound made while speaking, particularly on consonant sounds like 's' and 'sh'.
The quality or effect of having a hissing sound; can refer to a stylistic effect in speech or writing, or an undesirable technical artifact in audio recording.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally technical and formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English contexts related to literary analysis, but overall frequency is very similar.
Grammar
How to Use “sibilance” in a Sentence
The [microphone] produced [excessive] sibilance.The [poet's] use of sibilance [creates] a [hissing] effect.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sibilance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vocal track was sibilant.
- His pronunciation was unpleasantly sibilant.
American English
- The 's' sounds were overly sibilant.
- A sibilant whisper came from the shadows.
adverb
British English
- He hissed sibilantly through his teeth.
American English
- The air escaped sibilantly from the tyre.
adjective
British English
- She spoke with a sibilant lisp.
- The recording had a sibilant quality.
American English
- He made a sibilant noise of disapproval.
- The sibilant consonants were too sharp.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the audio tech industry (e.g., 'The new microphone reduces sibilance for clearer conference calls.').
Academic
Common in literary criticism, poetry analysis, linguistics, and audio engineering papers.
Everyday
Very rare. Used mostly by audiophiles, podcasters, or in writing workshops.
Technical
Standard term in audio engineering (e.g., 'Use a de-esser to control vocal sibilance.') and phonetics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sibilance”
- Misspelling as 'sibilence' or 'sybilance'.
- Using it to describe any unpleasant sound, rather than specifically hissing consonants.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often an unwanted technical flaw in audio, it can be a deliberate and effective literary device in poetry and prose to create mood or imitate sounds.
Primarily the consonants /s/, /z/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʒ/ (as in 'vision'), /tʃ/ (ch), and /dʒ/ (j).
Sibilance is the repetition of hissing consonant sounds (like 's', 'sh'). Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words (e.g., 'The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain').
Use a pop filter, angle the microphone slightly off-axis from your mouth, practice microphone technique, or use a 'de-esser' in post-production.
A hissing sound made while speaking, particularly on consonant sounds like 's' and 'sh'.
Sibilance is usually formal / technical in register.
Sibilance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪb.ɪ.ləns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪb.ə.ləns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There's no specific idiom containing 'sibilance'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SIZZling, SISSY snake – the 'S' sounds all create SIBILANCE.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS A SHARP OBJECT (e.g., 'piercing sibilance', 'cutting hiss').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'sibilance' LEAST likely to be used professionally?