Fricative

usgb/ˈfrɪkətɪv/
noun

A sound in language produced by letting out air from your mouth, with your teeth, lips or the roof of your mouth blocking the air a little.

In English, the letter 'f' in 'fish' is a fricative.
Visual representation of "fricative" - A sound in language produced by letting out air from your mouth, with your teeth, lips or the roof of your mouth blocking the air a little.

Often appears as...

  • voiceless fricative
  • voiced fricative

Usage tips

Linguistic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "fricative"
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Speech Sounds

Fricatives are a common type of consonant, used in various languages around the world.

Illustration for Speech Sounds
The 's' in 'snake' is another example of a fricative.
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Fricative Pairs

Many fricatives come in pairs, with one voiced (vibrating vocal cords) and one voiceless.

Illustration for Fricative Pairs
The 'v' in 'voice' is a voiced fricative, while 'f' in 'fish' is the voiceless counterpart.
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Pronunciation Practice

Mastering fricatives improves your accent and clarity in English.

Illustration for Pronunciation Practice
Practicing with words like 'thistle' and 'this' helps differentiate voiceless and voiced fricatives.
Visual representation of the word "Fricative"

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