sibilate

[ sib-uh-leyt ]

See synonyms for sibilate on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),sib·i·lat·ed, sib·i·lat·ing.

to hiss.

verb (used with object),sib·i·lat·ed, sib·i·lat·ing.

to utter or pronounce with a hissing sound.

Origin of sibilate

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin sībilātus (past participle of sībilāre “to hiss”); see origin at sibilant, -ate¹

Other words from sibilate

sib·i·la·tion, noun
sib·i·la·tor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use sibilate in a sentence

Challenger walked across to the oxygen tube, and the sound of the loud hissing fell away till it was the most gentle sibilation.
The Poison Belt | Arthur Conan Doyle
Boardman appeared shocked, and yet somewhat amused; he made a soft low sibilation between his teeth.
April Hopes | William Dean Howells
In place of martial airs and musical utterance, there rose upon the ear a strange din of harsh gutturals and singular sibilation.
Legends and Tales | Bret Harte
They make it clear and penetrating; yet it seems a poor, effeminate sibilation, and no generous, open-mouthed call.
To Cuba and Back | Richard Henry Dana
Bob whistled,—a long sibilation of amazement,—and then laughed and laughed again.
A Tar-Heel Baron | Mabell Shippie Clarke Pelton

British Dictionary definitions for sibilate

sibilate

/ (ˈsɪbɪˌleɪt) /

verb

to pronounce or utter (words or speech) with a hissing sound

Derived forms of sibilate

sibilation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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