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sibilant

adjective
sib·​i·​lant | \ ˈsi-bə-lənt How to pronounce sibilant (audio) \

Definition of sibilant

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

sibilant

noun

Definition of sibilant (Entry 2 of 2)

: a sibilant speech sound (such as English \s\, \z\, \sh\, \zh\, \ch(=tsh)\, or \j(=dzh)\)
Other Words from sibilant More Example Sentences Learn More about sibilant

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Other Words from sibilant

Adjective

sibilantly adverb

Examples of sibilant in a Sentence

Adjective

 the sibilant hiss of a snake

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 Descriptions of the trend pioneered by the siblings were sibilant: soccer-style, sidewinder, sidesaddle. — Michael Farber, SI.com, "Mark Moseley, Last of the Straight-On Kickers," 2 July 2018 But Jones has just bumped through a remarkable house set, the room is as crowded as it's been all weekend and the German minimal techno DJ Michael Mayer is opening his set with a sibilant cluster of synths and dots of midrange melody. — Randall Roberts, latimes.com, "Coachella by the hour: Weekend highlights from Vince Staples, Kali Uchis, Moodymann, Oh Sees and, oh yeah, Beyoncé," 23 Apr. 2018 When a semi-celebrity graduate of their program is mentioned, the girls hiss her name in sibilant wonder and envy. — New York Times, "Review: ‘Dance Nation,’ the Power and the Terror of Girls at 13," 8 May 2018

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.

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First Known Use of sibilant

Adjective

1669, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1788, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sibilant

Adjective

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

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More Definitions for sibilant

sibilant

adjective
How to pronounce sibilant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of sibilant

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

sibilant

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sibilant (Entry 2 of 2)

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

See the full definition for sibilant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sibilant

adjective
sib·​i·​lant | \ ˈsib-ə-lənt How to pronounce sibilant (audio) \

Medical Definition of sibilant

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

noun

Medical Definition of sibilant (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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