sibilant meaning

UK US

sibilant (adjective): of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as `f', `s', `z', or `th' in both `thin' and `then').

sibilant has 2 meanings in this dictionary, as adjective and noun.

sibilant as an adjective

  1. of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as `f', `s', `z', or `th' in both `thin' and `then')

    Synonyms: fricative, continuant, spirant, strident

    Similar: soft

    Related forms: sibilate

sibilant as a noun

  1. a consonant characterized by a hissing sound (like s or sh)

    Synonyms: sibilant consonant

    Type of: fricative consonant

    Related forms: sibilate, assibilate

Word lists: words starting with SI · words ending in NT · 8-letter words

More about sibilant on Wikipedia.