Skip to content
vocaboo
Beta
Log in

fricative

Pronunciation: [ˈfrɪkətɪv]

Word

Learn how to use fricative in a sentence: 6 audio examples across 2 meanings.

Context: “linguistics”

(noun) a type of speech sound made by forcing air through a narrow space in the mouth. You know how you can make sounds by squeezing your lips or tongue? A fricative happens when the air hits your tongue or teeth and makes a scruffing sound.

Example

The 's' sound in 'see' is a fricative.

Example

The letter 'p' is not a fricative because it is made by stopping the air completely.

Example

Can you think of more words that start with a fricative sound?

Context: “speech sounds”

(adjective) describes a sound that is made by forcing air through a small opening in your mouth. When you talk, some sounds are made by opening your mouth wide, but fricative sounds are made with just a little space.

Example

The fricative sounds in English include 'f', 'v', 's', and 'z'.

Example

A fricative sound is not clear and easy to hear when someone covers their mouth while talking.

Example

Which letters can you think of that make fricative sounds?

How to pronounce fricative

Pronunciation: [ˈfrɪkətɪv]

Listen and repeat as many times as you need.

0s
0s