Consonants Meaning and Definition
Consonants
Pronunciation
(no pronunciation available for the word “Consonants”)
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
In linguistics, a consonant is a type of speech sound that is not a vowel. Consonants are sounds made by obstructing airflow in the mouth or throat, and they can be further divided into stops, fricatives, nasals, liquids, and semivowels.
Examples
- The words “tap” and “pat” both start with a consonant sound.
- The phrase “I’m eating a sandwich” contains several consonant sounds.
Synonyms
- Sound
- Noise
Antonyms
- Vowel
- Soundless
Etymology
The word “consonant” comes from the Latin phrase “consonare,” meaning “to sound together.” In linguistics, consonants were initially defined as sounds that were made by the lips, tongue, or teeth, and that were distinct from vowels, which were considered to be the sounds made by the open mouth and vocal cords.
Usage Notes
Consonants are used in many languages, and they are an essential part of the sound system of most spoken languages. In general, consonants are used to distinguish between words, to change the meaning of words, and to provide phonemic contrast.
Cultural References
Consonants have been referenced in popular culture in a variety of ways, including in music, literature, and film. For example, the song “Consonance” by the musician Peter Gabriel is a tribute to the power of consonants in music.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Consonant with
- Tone consonant
Related Words or Phrases
- Vowel
- Speech sound
- Phoneme
Collocations
- Consonant cluster
- Vowel-consonant combination
Frequency of Use
Consonants are used frequently in speech and writing, and they are an essential part of the sound system of most spoken languages.
Common Misspellings
- You the word consonants with a “c” instead of a “k”.
- You may also misspell the word as “consantants”.