Sibilance | Definition, Meaning & Examples

Sibilance is a literary device where strongly emphasized hissing or hushing sounds are repeated throughout a sentence. These sounds are most commonly created through the use of consonants like “s,” “sh,” and “z.”

What is sibilance?

Sibilance is a literary device that uses the repetition of hissing or hushing sounds called “sibilants.” They create a high-frequency hissing or hushing sound by pushing air through closed teeth with the mouth open.

In English, the sounds that create these hushing and hissing sounds are “s” and “soft c” (e.g., “mess,” “sauce,” “city”), “z” (e.g., “buzz” and “zebra”), “sh” (e.g., “shrug” and “brush”), “zh” (e.g., “measure” and “decision”), and “ks” from the letter “x” (e.g., “box” and “exhale”).

While those sounds are commonly agreed upon, other sounds are considered sibilant by some but not by others. Some of these are “ch” (e.g., “chop” and “church”), “f” (also “gh”) (e.g., “fit” and “cough”), “v” (e.g., “van” and “leave”), soft “th” (e.g., “this” and “smooth”), and hard “th” (e.g., “thin” and “teeth”).

It’s easy to get caught up in what sounds are or aren’t considered sibilants, but it’s even more important to remember that it’s the repetition of a hissing sound that makes it sibilance.

Another thing worth noting is that it doesn’t matter where the sibilant is within the word. Sibilants can be at the beginning (e.g., “shook” and “silly”), middle (e.g., “listen” and “whisper”), or end (e.g., “buzz” and “dress”) of the word.

How sibilance is used in writing

Sibilance is used in many different types of writing, from prose and sales copywriting to poetry and music. It functions to create a stronger auditory experience that makes words more vivid and resonate more strongly with the reader or listener.

Even though the “s” sound in sibilance creates an enhanced auditory experience, it also impacts the way we read text silently in our own heads due to the fact that individuals tend to “hear” the words in their minds.

Whether read aloud or silently in our own head, sibilance can be used to:

Create an emotional impact

Sibilance can enhance the mood of a piece by evoking certain emotions in readers. Repeated hissing sounds can create feelings of tension, eerieness, and unease, while repeated hushing sounds can produce feelings of calm, safety, and reassurance.

Enhance rhythm and flow

Sibilance contributes to the overall rhythm and flow of writing. It can be used in a single sentence or throughout an entire poem or song to create a smooth-flowing effect that allows words to resonate more strongly with the reader or listener.

Create symbolism

The sibilance within the sentence, “The snake hisses and slyly slithers through the tall grass,” mirrors the actual sound of a snake, symbolizing stealth and danger as it moves through the grass. The repeated “s” sounds evoke the hiss of the snake and enhance the symbolic connection between the sounds and the snake’s movements.

On the other hand, the sentence “The soothing sound of the slow-moving stream embraces the stillness of the hushed surroundings” mimics the gentle sound of flowing water, symbolizing peace and calm. The soft “s” sounds reflect the stream’s quiet flow and reinforce the symbolism of a tranquil scene.

Emphasize important words

The sentence “The siren’s sultry song soared above the sea, seducing the sailors’ ship into total destruction at the merciless hands of the nearby rocks” uses sibilance to emphasize the gravity and severity of such a situation.

Sibilance vs. alliteration

Sibilance and alliteration are both linguistic devices that use the repetition of sounds, but they differ in key ways:

• Sibilance involves the repetition of the “s” sound (or similar sounds like “sh” or “z”) and can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of the word (e.g., “She felt a sudden sense of sadness as the sun set”).
• Alliteration involves repeating any sound from any letter, but it must occur at the beginning of the word (e.g., “The wind wove through the white willow trees”).

There are examples where a sentence can contain both sibilance and alliteration.

Sibilance examples in famous works

Numerous famous authors and artists have used sibilance in their works.

Herman Melville uses sibilance frequently in Moby Dick.

John Clare uses sibilance in his poem The Wind.

Paul Simon—one half of the rock duo Simon and Garfunkel—uses sibilance in the lyrics (and title) of the song The Sound of Silence.

Frequently asked questions about sibilance

What is the difference between assonance and sibilance?

Assonance and sibilance are both literary devices that involve the repetition of sounds, but they differ in the type of sound that’s repeated.

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words (e.g., “The rain in Spain mainly stays in the plain”). The vowel sound emphasized in this sentence is the long “a.”

Sibilance is the repetition of the “s” sound (or, similar sounds, like “z”) in nearby words (e.g., “He spoke in a soft, soothing tone, settling his son to sleep.”

Scribbr’s Paraphrasing Tool can help you select the best wording to effectively communicate in your writing.

What is the difference between consonance and sibilance?

Consonance and sibilance are both literary devices that involve the repetition of sounds, but they differ in the type of sound that’s repeated.

Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in nearby words (e.g., “Mike likes to hike and ride his bike”). The consonant sound emphasized in this sentence is “k.”

Sibilance is the repetition of the “s” sound in nearby words (e.g., “The whispering sound of the stream soothed their spirits.”

Scribbr’s Paraphrasing Tool can help you select the best wording to effectively communicate in your writing.