Sibilant Sounds
By Neil
@Neil43 (4322)
March 20, 2026 6:36pm CST
Let me share something I have added in the curent manuscript I am working on.
Sibilant sounds are hissing or buzzing sounds made when air is pushed through a small opening between the tongue and teeth, creating a high-pitched friction sound.
The six sibilant sounds in English are:
Sound Example
/s/ sun, kiss
/z/ zoo, buzz
/sh/ shop, wash
/soft z/ television, massage
/ch/ chair, teach
/j/ jump, judge
The word “sibilant” comes from the Latin sibilare, meaning “to hiss.” That’s a good way to remember it — these are all sounds that hiss, buzz, or hush when you say them out loud.
It is important to learn the sibilant sounds because they are handy for adding the -s form of verbs that end with these sounds, producing the /iz/ sound at the end.
I hope you learn something from this quick lesson.
4 people like this
3 responses
@Ineeddentures (23200)
•
21 Mar
Not really learned anything.
Bit that's been a problem for me all of my life
Lol
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (170515)
• United States
21 Mar
Nothing I didn't already know but thank you anyway.
1 person likes this




