What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
consonant
Example
The word 'cat' has three consonants and one vowel. [consonants: noun]
Example
The 'b' in 'bat' is a consonant sound. [consonant: adjective]
sound
Example
The sound of the waves crashing on the shore was soothing. [sound: noun]
Example
Her voice sounded cheerful over the phone. [sounded: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sound is a more common word than consonant in everyday language. Sound is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while consonant is a more specialized term used primarily in linguistic and phonetic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between consonant and sound?
While consonant is typically associated with a technical and formal tone, sound is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.