sibilance

[ sib-uh-luhns ]

noun

1. a hissing quality of sound, or the hissing sound itself:

   I stretched out comfortably in my sleeping bag, peering up at the stars and listening to the ocean's gentle sibilance.

   The older, poorer quality recordings had more than a hint of sibilance.

Other Words From

• non·sib·i·lance noun
• sub·sib·i·lance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sibilance¹

First recorded in 1800–10; sibil(ant) ( def ) + -ance ( def )

Example Sentences

I suspect most amateur podcasters don’t even consider a wind screen, but after listening to a bit of level-spiking sibilance, you’ll understand exactly why this microphone add-on is so important.

From TechCrunch

The gentle sibilance of air drawn through the glowing nest of tobacco is the only sound.

From Project Gutenberg

"I am here as a witness," a thousand mocking voices seemed to hiss in echoed sibilance.

From Project Gutenberg

She laughed, a mirthless sibilance that was marvelously like a snake's hissing, her eyes hard and dry.

From Project Gutenberg

Distress signals hissed into the atmosphere in urgent sibilance, then faltered and died away.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the breaking of a twig and the sibilance of whispering voices—two of them—perhaps more.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• catcall
• hoot