s
s
Pronunciation
IPA phonetic spelling for "s": /ɛs/
First Syllable: /ɛs/
/ɛ/ - as in "bed"
/s/ - as in "snake"
Word Form Variations
Letter: S, s (uppercase and lowercase letter of the alphabet)
Plural of the letter: S's, s's (less commonly used, often simply "Ss" or "ss" in informal contexts)
Suffix: -s (indicating plural nouns, third-person singular present tense verbs, or possessive case)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The nineteenth letter of the English alphabet.
Synonyms: Letter S, the letter "s"
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's a specific letter)
Definition 2: (Plural: S's or s's) A mark or shape resembling the letter "S."
Synonyms: S-curve, serpentine
Antonyms: Straight line
Suffix
Definition 1 (Plural Marker): Used to form the plural of most nouns.
Examples: cats, dogs, books
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms for a grammatical suffix)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a grammatical suffix)
Definition 2 (Third-Person Singular Present Tense Verb Marker): Used to form the third-person singular simple present tense of verbs.
Examples: he runs, she sings, it works
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms for a grammatical suffix)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a grammatical suffix)
Definition 3 (Possessive Marker): Used to indicate possession or association, typically with an apostrophe ( 's ).
Examples: John's book, the cat's meow, a day's work
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms for a grammatical suffix)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a grammatical suffix)
Examples of Use
Books:
"The Great Gatsby's vibrant descriptions of the Jazz Age capture a fleeting moment in American history." (F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, 1925)
"She found herself drawn to the book's intricate plot, a labyrinth of secrets and betrayals."
Newspapers:
"The governor's new policy aims to address the state's growing housing crisis." (The New York Times)
"Today's front page features a compelling story on the city's efforts to revitalize its downtown."
Online Publications:
"Tech giant's latest smartphone boasts an impressive array of new features." (The Verge)
"Traveler's guide to exploring Kenya's national parks highlights unique wildlife encounters." (Lonely Planet)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The film's climactic battle sequence was praised for its stunning visual effects." (Referring to Dune: Part Two)
Television Series: "Fans eagerly await the show's season finale, curious about the protagonist's ultimate fate." (Referring to House of the Dragon)
Music: "Adele's powerful vocals are a hallmark of her distinctive sound." (Referring to Adele's album 30)
Video Games: "Players must master the game's complex combat system to defeat its formidable bosses." (Referring to Elden Ring)
General Public Discourse:
"What's your favorite type of pizza?" (Casual conversation)
"He's going to the store later." (Everyday speech)
"The dog's barking woke me up." (Informal discussion)
10 Quotes Using S
"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill)
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." (Lao Tzu)
"At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet." (Plato)
"Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey." (Jean-Luc Picard)
"The price of freedom may be high, but never so costly as the loss of freedom." (Ronald Reagan)
"The human spirit**'s** unquenchable drive for originality and compulsion for creating art is the compelling force of our humanity." (Kilroy J. Oldster)
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." (John Muir)
"Fortune favors the brave." (Virgil)
"Knowledge is of two kinds: We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon its." (Samuel Johnson)
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." (Pablo Picasso)
Etymology
The letter "S" has a fascinatingly long history that goes back thousands of years! Its journey to becoming the letter we know today started with ancient picture writing.
The earliest known ancestor of "S" is believed to be a symbol from the Proto-Sinaitic script, which appeared around 1500 BCE (before the common era) in the Sinai Peninsula. This symbol was likely a pictogram of a tooth. In their language, this "tooth" symbol probably represented a "sh" sound (like in "ship").
When the ancient Greeks adopted this symbol, they didn't have the "sh" sound in their language. So, they changed the symbol slightly and used it to represent the "s" sound we're familiar with. They called this letter "Sigma" (Σ).
Later, the Romans borrowed from the Greek alphabet to create their own Latin alphabet. They took the Greek Sigma and simplified its shape, giving it the rounded "S" form we use today.
So, in short:
It likely started as a picture of a tooth in ancient Semitic writing (Proto-Sinaitic script) around 1500 BCE, representing a "sh" sound.
The Greeks then adapted it to represent an "s" sound and called it Sigma.
Finally, the Romans borrowed it and gave it the modern "S" shape for their Latin alphabet, from which our English alphabet directly descends.
Phrases + Idioms Containing S
Dot one's i's and cross one's t's: To be meticulous and pay attention to every detail.
Give someone the s's: To give someone diarrhea (informal).
Mind your p's and q's: To be careful about one's behavior and manners.
Put in your two s's worth: To offer your opinion or contribution, even if not explicitly asked.
Have the s's: To be very nervous or anxious (informal).
S's and giggles: For fun or amusement; just for laughs.
Like a snake's hips: Moving in a sinuous or seductive way. (Using 's' in the possessive)
A stitch in time saves nine: Taking immediate action to fix a problem prevents it from getting worse later.
Keep up with the Joneses: To try to match the social status or material possessions of one's neighbors.
Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back: Being too curious can be dangerous, but the outcome might be worth it.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of s from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
