consonant
[ kon-suh-nuhnt ]
/ ˈkɒn sə nənt /
Save This Word!
noun
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.
adjective
SYNONYMS FOR consonant
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!
Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it’s and its in this crafty quiz!
Question 1 of 12
On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.
Origin of consonant
OTHER WORDS FROM consonant
con·so·nant·like, adjectivecon·so·nant·ly, adverbun·con·so·nant, adjectiveWords nearby consonant
consolidator, consols, consolute, consommé, consonance, consonant, consonantal, consonantalize, consonantism, consonantize, consonants
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for consonant
“Have” vs. “Has”: When To Use Each One
“Vaccinate” vs. “Inoculate” vs. “Immunize”: What Are The Differences?
“Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time
Where Does The Name “Saturday” Come From?
What Is The Difference Between “It’s” And “Its”?
“Effectiveness” vs. “Efficacy” vs. “Efficiency”: When To Use Each Word For The Best Results
British Dictionary definitions for consonant
consonant
/ (ˈkɒnsənənt) /
noun
a speech sound or letter of the alphabet other than a vowel; a stop, fricative, or continuant
adjective
(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
Derived forms of consonant
consonantly, adverbWord Origin for consonant
C14: from Latin consonāns, from consonāre to sound at the same time, be in harmony, from sonāre to sound
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012