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
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of sibilant in a Sentence
the sibilant hiss of a snake
Origin and Etymology of sibilant
Latin sibilant-, sibilans, present participle of sibilare to hiss, whistle, of imitative origin
First Known Use: 1669
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
sibilant
Definition of sibilant
: a sibilant speech sound (such as English \s\, \z\, \sh\, \zh\, \ch(=tsh)\, or \j(=dzh)\)
1788
First Known Use of sibilant
1788
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
SIBILANT Defined for English Language Learners
sibilant
playDefinition of sibilant for English Language Learners
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: making or having a sound like the letters s or sh
sibilant
Definition of sibilant for English Language Learners
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: a sibilant sound (such as \ s \ or \ z \)
Medical Dictionary
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
sibilant
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
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Britannica English: Translation of sibilant for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sibilant
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