consonants

Cultural

Letters of the alphabet that stand for sounds often made with a closed or partially closed mouth: B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Z, and sometimes Y (as in yellow). (Compare vowels.)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To create an otherworldly voice, Elordi studied Tibetan throat singing and incorporated the slurred consonants caused by dentures he’d been given for the role.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 30, 2025

It’s hard to think about Sajak doing anything other than soliciting consonants and vowels or declaring a player “bankrupt,” but his storied career began long before “Wheel of Fortune.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2024

In other words, scientists can predict what combination of consonants and vowels will be produced before the words are actually spoken.

From Science Daily • Feb. 1, 2024

At times, Puth's voice sounds "smudged" with consonants that are occasionally muddied and indistinct.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2023

Jake steps in, using the same lie I gave him; he speaks faster than usual, his consonants not as crisp.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023