consonant
- Phonetics.
- (in English articulation) a speech sound produced by occluding with or without releasing (p, b; t, d; k, g), diverting (m, n, ng), or obstructing (f, v; s, z, etc.) the flow of air from the lungs (opposed to vowel).
- (in a syllable) any sound other than the sound of greatest sonority in the syllable, as b, r, and g in brig (opposed to sonant).Compare vowel(def 1b).
- (in linguistic function) a concept empirically determined as a phonological element in structural contrast with vowel, as the b of be, the w of we, the y, s, and t of yeast, etc.
- a letter that usually represents a consonant sound.
- in agreement; agreeable; in accord; consistent (usually followed by to or with): behavior consonant with his character.
- corresponding in sound, as words.
- harmonious, as sounds.
- Music. constituting a consonance.
- Physics. noting or pertaining to sounds exhibiting consonance.
- consonantal.
Origin of consonant
Synonyms for consonant
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for consonant
Related Words for consonant
agnate, correspondent, like, uniform, parallel, blending, accordant, akin, alike, analogous, coincident, comparable, compatible, conformable, congenial, congruous, corresponding, harmonious, similar, suitableExamples from the Web for consonant
Contemporary Examples of consonant
Appeals to “collective will” and the judgment of “history” are not consonant with liberal thought.
Romney's teenage bullying hurts him because it is consonant with his adult record.
Historical Examples of consonant
It was a lovely day, and every feeling of my heart was consonant to the scene.
(b) The part in the next line should, if possible, begin with a consonant.
"Stops"Paul Allardyce
The consonant is the distinguishing element of human speech.
The Child-Voice in SingingFrancis E. Howard
Between the points of repose the combined sounds may or may not be consonant.
A Popular History of the Art of MusicW. S. B. Mathews
They were consonant with early Roman mores which were warlike.
FolkwaysWilliam Graham Sumner
consonant
- a speech sound or letter of the alphabet other than a vowel; a stop, fricative, or continuant
- (postpositive; foll by with or to) consistent; in agreement
- harmonious in tone or sound
- music characterized by the presence of a consonance
- being or relating to a consonant
Word Origin for consonant
Word Origin and History for consonant
early 14c., "sound other than a vowel," from Latin consonantem (nominative consonans), present participle of consonare "to sound together, sound aloud," from com- "with" (see com-) + sonare "to sound" (see sonata). Consonants were thought of as sounds that are only produced together with vowels.
early 15c., from Old French consonant (13c.), from Latin consonantem (nominative consonans), present participle of consonare (see consonant (n.)).