consonant Definition
- 1a basic speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed and which can be combined with a vowel to form a syllable
- 2a letter that represents a consonant sound
Using consonant: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "consonant" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The word 'cat' has three consonants and one vowel.
Example
The English alphabet has 21 consonants and 5 vowels.
Example
The 'p' in 'pat' is a consonant.
consonant Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with consonant
two or more consonant sounds that are blended together in a word, each retaining its own sound
Example
The word 'splash' has a consonant blend of 'spl'.
a group of two or more consonant sounds that appear together in a syllable without a vowel sound between them
Example
The word 'strengths' has a consonant cluster of 'ngths'.
Example
The 'b' in 'bat' is a voiced consonant.
Origins of consonant
from Latin 'consonare', meaning 'to sound together'
Summary: consonant in Brief
A 'consonant' [ˈkɑːnsənənt] is a basic speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed and which can be combined with a vowel to form a syllable. It is also a letter that represents a consonant sound. Examples include 'cat,' which has three consonants and one vowel, and 'p' in 'pat,' which is a consonant. 'Consonant' extends into phrases like 'consonant blend,' and 'voiced consonant,' denoting specific combinations and production methods.
