How to Pronounce Shibboleth

To pronounce "shibboleth", say SHIBB-ol-eth — 3 syllables, IPA /ˈʃɪbəlɛθ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

shibboleth

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Accent

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3

Syllables

10

Letters

/ˈʃɪbəlɛθ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “shibboleth”

"shibboleth" has 3 syllables: shibb-ol-eth. It rhymes with death and breath, if that helps it stick.

What does shibboleth mean?

noun

  1. A word, especially seen as a test, to distinguish someone as belonging to a particular nation, class, profession etc.
  2. A common or longstanding belief, custom, or catchphrase associated with a particular group, especially one with little current meaning or truth.

    “It's about time we abandoned the bourgeois shibboleth that earning money makes you a better person.”

Synonyms

platitudeslogantruism

Words that rhyme with shibboleth

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

deathbreathmethmegadeathdaleth

Related words

slogancatchwordmottodistinctiveshibahhebrewismshofarhebraism

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "shibboleth"?▾

"Shibboleth" has 3 syllables: shibb · ol · eth.

What is the IPA transcription of "shibboleth"?▾

The IPA transcription of "shibboleth" is /ˈʃɪbəlɛθ/.

What does "shibboleth" mean?▾

Shibboleth: A word, especially seen as a test, to distinguish someone as belonging to a particular nation, class, profession etc.

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