Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

fibula

/ˈfɪb.jəl.ə/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.59 in modern English

Syllables: fibu-la
IPA: /ˈfɪb.jəl.ə/

11

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An ancient kind of brooch used to hold clothing together, similar in function to the modern safety pin.

noun

The smaller of the two bones in the lower leg.

Example Sentences

"Most of the fibulae have a triangular molding above the notch, which probably contained wound wire. The crossbar is decorated either with a flat knob or with a Persian merlon."

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin fībula (“buckle, clasp, pin”). The bone is so named because the shape it makes with the tibia resembles a clasp, the fibula being the pin.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: fībula

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈfɪb.jəl.ə/
British English: /ˈfɪb.jʊl.ə/

Inflected Forms

fibulae (plural) fibulas (plural) fibulæ (obsolete, plural)

Derived Forms

fibular fibulate fibulectomy tibiofibula

Phrases

femur fibula ulna syndrome fibulo- fibul-

Frequently Paired Words

fibularis peroneal

Synonyms

calf bone

Rhymes With

mandibula

Questions

How do you pronounce fibula?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈfɪb.jəl.ə/.
What does fibula mean?: An ancient kind of brooch used to hold clothing together, similar in function to the modern safety pin.
Where does fibula come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce fibula

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “fibula”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈfɪb.jəl.ə/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “fibula”.
Repeat and practice — Say “fibula” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.