shibboleth
shi
ˈʃɪ
shi
bbo
leth
ˌlɛθ
leth
British pronunciation
/ʃˈɪbə‍ʊləθ/

Definition & Meaning of "shibboleth"in English

Shibboleth
01

a tradition, principle, or practice that identifies or characterizes a specific group or class

example
Examples
Wearing a suit and tie to work every day became a shibboleth of professionalism in the corporate world.
02

a specific word or phrase used to identify or differentiate individuals

example
Examples
During wartime, soldiers often used a shibboleth to distinguish friend from foe based on their accent or pronunciation.
LanGeek
Download LanGeek app
langeek application

Download Mobile App

stars

app store