How to pronounce sic
Say it like SIK. Sic is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- SIK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of sic
American and British speakers say sic in essentially the same way: /sɪk/ in the US and /sɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: SIK.
What does sic mean?
- Thus; as written; used to indicate, for example, that text is being quoted as it is from the source.
- Used in the manner of scare quotes
- To mark with a bracketed sic.
- To incite an attack by, especially a dog or dogs.“He sicced his dog on me!”
- To set upon; to chase; to attack.“Sic ’em, Mitzi.”
Where does sic come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin sīc (“thus, so”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sic.
Words that sound like sic
Questions about saying sic
How do you pronounce sic?
Say SIK. The American pronunciation is /sɪk/. In British English it is /sɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sic?
Sic is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SIK.
Do Americans and Brits say sic the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /sɪk/ and the British form is /sɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as sic?
Sic sounds the same as sick in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.