consonant

[ kon-suh-nuhnt ]

noun

1. Phonetics.
   1. (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 ( vowel ).
   2. (in a syllable) any sound other than the sound of greatest sonority in the syllable, as b, r, and g in brig ( sonant ). Compare vowel ( def 1b ).
   3. (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.
2. a letter that usually represents a consonant sound.

adjective

1. in agreement; agreeable; in accord; consistent (usually followed by to or with ):

   behavior consonant with his character.

   Synonyms: congruous, concordant

2. corresponding in sound, as words.
3. harmonious, as sounds.
4. Music. constituting a consonance.

   Antonyms: dissonant

5. Physics. noting or pertaining to sounds exhibiting consonance.
6. consonantal.

consonant

/ ˈkɒnsənənt /

noun

1. a speech sound or letter of the alphabet other than a vowel; a stop, fricative, or continuant

adjective

1. postpositive; foll by with or to consistent; in agreement
2. harmonious in tone or sound
3. music characterized by the presence of a consonance
4. being or relating to a consonant

Derived Forms

• ˈconsonantly, adverb

Other Words From

• conso·nant·like adjective
• conso·nant·ly adverb
• un·conso·nant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consonant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English consona(u)nt, from Anglo-French, from Latin consonant-, stem of consonāns “sounding together,” present participle of consonāre “to sound with or together”; equivalent to con- + sonant

Word History and Origins

Origin of consonant¹

C14: from Latin consonāns, from consonāre to sound at the same time, be in harmony, from sonāre to sound

Example Sentences

However, Bottalico notes, that still wouldn’t change the fact that masks stifle consonants more than vowels.

From Science News For Students

That’s important, says Bottalico, because consonants typically have a higher frequency, or pitch, than vowel sounds.

From Science News For Students

Each word was one syllable and had starting and ending consonants that sandwiched a vowel sound.

From Science News For Students

In the flow of a news conference, it’s hard to expect him to avoid the occasional misplaced consonant.

From Washington Post

It starts with two consonants that you don’t see together too often.

From Everything After Z

Appeals to “collective will” and the judgment of “history” are not consonant with liberal thought.

From The Daily Beast

Romney's teenage bullying hurts him because it is consonant with his adult record.

From The Daily Beast

It is combined with these consonant elements in order to invite it forward and bring it to a point (figuratively speaking).

From Project Gutenberg

The most recklessly chivalrous terms are indeed consonant with Sir Edward's character.

From Project Gutenberg

The story seems little consonant with Douglas's warlike intelligence.

From Project Gutenberg

Ten Brink reads ay for ever, on the ground that ever and never, when followed by a consonant, are dissyllabic in Chaucer.

From Project Gutenberg

No Russian, whose dissonant, consonant name Almost rattles to fragments the trumpet of fame?Postscript.

From Project Gutenberg