How to pronounce sibling
Say it like SIB-ling. Sibling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sibling. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIB
- ling
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sibling pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SIBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- lingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of sibling
American and British speakers say sibling in essentially the same way: /ˈsɪblɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈsɪblɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: SIB-ling.
What does sibling mean?
- a person's brother or sister
Where does sibling come from?
First use appears c. 1903, a modern revival of Old English sibling (“relative, a relation, kinsman”), equivalent to sib + -ling.
Questions about saying sibling
How do you pronounce sibling?
Say SIB-ling. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪblɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈsɪblɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sibling?
Sibling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIB). Broken into parts: SIB · ling.
Do Americans and Brits say sibling the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɪblɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈsɪblɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.