How Do You Spell SIBILANT?

Pronunciation: [sˈɪbɪlənt] (IPA)

The word "sibilant" is spelled with an "s" instead of a "c" because it comes from the Latin word "sibilare" which means "to hiss". IPA phonetic transcription for "sibilant" is /ˈsɪbɪlənt/. The first syllable /ˈsɪb/ is pronounced with an unvoiced "s" sound and the second syllable /ɪlənt/ has a voiced "l" sound followed by an unvoiced "t" sound. This word is commonly used in linguistics to describe consonants that produce a hissing sound, such as "s", "sh", and "z".

SIBILANT Meaning and Definition

  1. Sibilant is an adjective that describes a specific quality or characteristic of sounds, particularly pertaining to the phonetic category known as "sibilants." Sibilants are speech sounds that are produced by a turbulent airflow, resulting in a hissing or rushing sound quality. The term "sibilant" is derived from the Latin word "sibilare," meaning "to hiss."

    In linguistic terms, sibilant sounds are typically made by air flowing through a narrow channel formed by the tongue and other articulatory organs, creating friction and hence the characteristic hissing effect. The most common sibilant sounds in English are the affricates /tʃ/ (as in "chop") and /dʒ/ (as in "judge"), as well as the fricatives /s/ (as in "sit"), /ʃ/ (as in "shoe"), /z/ (as in "zip"), and /ʒ/ (as in "pleasure").

    Beyond speech sounds, the term "sibilant" can also refer to any sound that has a similar hissing or rushing quality, resembling the sibilant phonemes in language. This can include sounds such as a hissing steam kettle, the rustling of leaves in the wind, or the soothing sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore.

    In summary, sibilant is an adjective used to describe hissing or rushing sounds, particularly in linguistics to refer to speech sounds produced with a turbulent airflow.

  2. Hissing or whistling in character, noting a form of rale.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • Making a hissing sound.
    • A letter uttered with a hissing sound, as s.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for SIBILANT

Etymology of SIBILANT

The word sibilant originated from the Latin word sibilans, which is the present participle of sibilare meaning to hiss or to whistle. The Latin word was derived from the onomatopoeic sound si, which imitates a hissing or a sibilant sound. The term sibilant was first used in English in the early 17th century to describe sounds that hiss or have a sharp, hissing quality, particularly the sounds produced by the letters s and sh.

Plural form of SIBILANT is SIBILANTS

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: