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

“We find a substantial increase in bankruptcy rates, debt collections, debt consolidation loans, and auto loan delinquencies” in those states, they wrote, consonant with an increase in excessive debt among players.

From Los Angeles Times

In the Gluck rehearsal, Palumbo cautioned the group not to sit on one word’s final vowel, so that the next consonant could be more explosive.

From New York Times

“A lot of clubs have installed party decks and subscription tickets and ways to experience baseball that are more consonant with a 25-year-old’s life,” Sword said, “than buying an 81-game package for a seat in Section 313.”

From Los Angeles Times

The multinational taking over The Connector is the consonant cluster VorschlagXE.

From New York Times

For example, the consonant "da," which is produced by touching the tongue to the hard palate behind the teeth, is needed to produce the word dog.

From Science Daily