Sibilance - GCSE English Language Definition

Sibilance is a sound device. It is the repetition of soft ‘s’, ‘sh’, or ‘z’ sounds in nearby words. For example, “the silent sea slipped smoothly” uses sibilance to create a whispering, gentle effect.

Writers use sibilance to influence the mood or tone of a line. It can sound calming, sinister, or eerie depending on the context. It’s often used in poetry or descriptive writing to draw attention to particular phrases or to help the language flow smoothly.

Example of sibilance in a GCSE text

In 'Exposure' by Wilfred Owen, sibilance appears in the line: “Sudden successive flights of bullets streak the silence.” The repeated ‘s’ sounds mimic the sharp, quick motion of bullets and the eerie stillness of the battlefield, creating a tense and threatening atmosphere.