Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
sibilant
adjective & noun
/ˈsɪb.ɪ.lənt/
Definition
A sibilant is a sound characterized by a hissing or hushing quality, produced by forcing air through a narrow passage.
Examples
- The snake made a sibilant sound as it slithered through the grass.
- In linguistics, ‘s’ and ‘z’ are considered sibilant sounds.
- Her sibilant whisper caught my attention in the quiet room.
Meaning
In linguistic terms, sibilants are consonants that create a hissing sound, such as ‘s’, ‘z’, ‘sh’, and ‘zh’. These sounds can add emphasis and sharpness to speech.
Synonyms
- Hissing
- Shrill
- Shushing
