sibilant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (technical term)Technical/formal
Quick answer
What does “sibilant” mean?
A speech sound characterized by a hissing sound, like /s/ or /ʃ/.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A speech sound characterized by a hissing sound, like /s/ or /ʃ/.
Any sound, especially in speech or music, that produces a hissing or high-pitched whistling noise.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Technical, precise, academic in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sibilant” in a Sentence
A sibilant [noun][noun] is/are sibilanta sibilant [sound]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sibilant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The microphone was sibilating badly.
- He tends to sibilate his 's' sounds when nervous.
American English
- The recording sibilated on the high notes.
- Some speakers sibilate more than others.
adverb
British English
- He spoke sibilantly into the phone.
- The air escaped sibilantly from the tyre.
American English
- She whispered sibilantly in the quiet library.
- The steam hissed sibilantly from the kettle.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of audio equipment or sound quality.
Academic
Common in phonetics, linguistics, musicology, and sound engineering.
Everyday
Very rare, except among language enthusiasts.
Technical
Primary domain of use.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sibilant”
- Mispronouncing as /saɪˈbɪlənt/.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'loud' or 'annoying' rather than specifically 'hissing'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While 's' is the prime example, other sounds like 'sh' (/ʃ/), 'zh' (/ʒ/ as in 'pleasure'), and 'ch' (/tʃ/) are also classified as sibilants.
Yes. As a noun, it refers to the speech sound itself (e.g., 'English has several sibilants'). As an adjective, it describes something that makes such a sound (e.g., 'a sibilant whisper').
In recording and broadcasting, excessive sibilance (harsh 's' and 'sh' sounds) is problematic. Audio engineers use a 'de-esser' to reduce it.
It is neutral and technical. Context gives it positive or negative colouring (e.g., 'a soft, sibilant rustle' vs. 'a harsh, grating sibilant').
A speech sound characterized by a hissing sound, like /s/ or /ʃ/.
Sibilant is usually technical/formal in register.
Sibilant: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪb.ɪ.lənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪb.ə.lənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A sibilant 's' (specific reference to the pronunciation of that letter)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Sssssnake' – the 'ssss' sound is the perfect sibilant.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS MOVING AIR (a sibilant is a stream of air forced through a narrow channel).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically described as sibilant?