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sibilant

adjective sib·i·lant \ ˈsi-bə-lənt \
|Updated on: 3 Jun 2018

Definition of sibilant

: having, containing, or producing the sound of or a sound resembling that of the s or the sh in sash
  • a sibilant affricate
  • a sibilant snake
—

sibilantly

adverb

See sibilant defined for English-language learners

See sibilant defined for kids

Examples of sibilant in a Sentence

  1. the sibilant hiss of a snake

Recent Examples of sibilant from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sibilant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sibilant

Latin sibilant-, sibilans, present participle of sibilare to hiss, whistle, of imitative origin

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

2

sibilant

noun

Definition of sibilant

: a sibilant speech sound (such as English \s\, \z\, \sh\, \zh\, \ch(=tsh)\, or \j(=dzh)\)

See sibilant defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of sibilant

1788

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

SIBILANT Defined for English Language Learners

sibilant

adjective

Definition of sibilant for English Language Learners

  • : making or having a sound like the letters s or sh

sibilant

noun

Definition of sibilant for English Language Learners

  • : a sibilant sound (such as \ s \ or \ z \)

Medical Dictionary

1

sibilant

adjective sib·i·lant \ ˈsib-ə-lənt \

medical Definition of sibilant

: having, containing, or producing the sound of or a sound resembling that of the s or sh in sash
  • a sibilant speech sound
  • sibilant breathing
  • sibilant rales
2

sibilant

noun

medical Definition of sibilant

: a sibilant speech sound (as English \s\, \z\, \sh\, \zh\, \ch(=t + sh)\, or \j(=d + zh)\)

Learn More about sibilant

  1. Britannica English: Translation of sibilant for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sibilant

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sibilant

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