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Glite Dictionary
to sibilate

to sibilate

9.9
To make a hissing sound like s or sh when speaking
  • verb
  • /ˈsɪbəˌleɪt/
translation icon : sibilantear
  • The actor intentionally sibilated the 's' in 'snake' for dramatic effect.

Examples

  • The audience began to sibilate during the awkward silence.

  • Some speakers of Spanish noticeably sibilate when pronouncing certain words.

  • She sibilated each syllable of the tongue-twister, making the phrase sound almost musical.

  • Don't sibilate!

  • The actor intentionally sibilated the 's' in 'snake' for dramatic effect.

  • She sibilated each syllable of the tongue-twister, making the phrase sound almost musical.

  • Some speakers of Spanish noticeably sibilate when pronouncing certain words.

Synonyms

to hiss
vsto sibilate
31 1.9

To make a sharp, high sound like a snake or steam escaping

focuses on making or pronouncing sibilant sounds like s or sh
to tut
vsto sibilate
3 9.6

Make a short, quiet sound with the tongue to show disapproval

is focused on hissing or hushing sounds not tongue clicks
to tut-tut
vsto sibilate
1 9.1

Make a short clicking sound with the tongue to show you do not approve

is about sibilant hissing sounds rather than tongue clicks
to sizz
vsto sibilate
9.9

To make a sharp hissing sound to show disapproval

is about producing sibilant sounds rather than only sharp noise
to shh
vsto sibilate
  • Informal
8.3

Tell someone to be quiet by making a soft sound with your mouth

is broader and used for sibilant sounds including disapproval

Surface Forms

sibilate infinitive
sibilated past
sibilated past participle
sibilating present participle
sibilates third person singular

Morphology

sibilate = sibilant (transparent) = sibil + ate

The verb is formed from the stem 'sibil-' (as in 'sibilant') plus the productive verb-forming suffix '-ate', yielding 'to make a hissing sound'.

Etymology

The word sibilate comes from the old Latin word sibilare, which means 'to hiss' and is the source of the English word 'sibilant' and the simple word 'hiss'. So to sibilate is to make or say a 's' or 'sh' hissing sound, often to show disapproval.