sibilant
adjective/noun
Making or characterized by a hissing sound; a speech sound characterized by a hissing effect, such as s, sh, z, or zh.
Etymology
From Latin sibilant- meaning "hissing," present participle of sibilare (to hiss, whistle), an imitative word.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The sibilant whisper of the wind through the pine needles was soothing."
- 2.
"Her sibilant pronunciation of certain words revealed her accent."
- 3.
"Snakes are often described with sibilant sounds in poetry."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Sibilance is used deliberately in poetry for effect - alliteration with s sounds can suggest snakes, secrecy, or sinister intent. Shakespeare used it masterfully in phrases like "serpent's tongue."
Word Game Tips
Letters: 8 letters (S, I, B, I, L, A, N, T)
Scrabble Value: 10 points
Tip: Look for common letter combinations like "SI" at the start of words.
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