consonant

1 of 2

adjective

con·​so·​nant ˈkän(t)-s(ə-)nənt How to pronounce consonant (audio)
1
: being in agreement or harmony : free from elements making for discord
The decision was consonant with the company's usual practice.
2
: marked by musical consonances
consonant chords
3
: having similar sounds
consonant words
4
: relating to or exhibiting consonance : resonant
consonantly adverb

consonant

2 of 2

noun

: one of a class of speech sounds (such as \p\, \g\, \n\, \l\, \s\, \r\) characterized by constriction or closure at one or more points in the breath channel
also : a letter representing a consonant
usually used in English of any letter except a, e, i, o, and u

Examples of consonant in a Sentence

Adjective the temples and palaces of ancient Greece are among the most consonant buildings in architectural history his gentle behavior is consonant with his expressed belief in pacifism
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Her harmonic language is largely consonant, owing something to John Adams perhaps in its drawing at liberty on all seven notes of the major scale, spotlighting some pitches in a rhythmically free idiom. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2023 That’s not really consonant with a sustainable civilization. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 27 Aug. 2013 They were consonant with the goals of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), a bipartisan piece of federal legislation supported by both Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner and Democratic stalwart Sen. Ted Kennedy. Gary Marvin Davison, Star Tribune, 17 Feb. 2021 The left hand oscillates bare, somber chords, while the right hand interrupts above with the twittering of birdsong, an eerie effect which ultimately resolves with right and left hands together in full consonant harmonies. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2023 These would then subside into subdued textures marked by consonant harmonies. Dallas News, 23 Feb. 2022 In other words, perhaps advanced economies necessarily need and foster a level of gender equality which formal polygamy is simply not consonant with? Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2010 The Hebrew word for the festival of lights, Hanukkah/Chanukah, consists of five Hebrew characters opening with the consonant het (chet), the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec. 2022 New words were introduced and new vowel and consonant sounds began to appear between roughly 500 to 700. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2021
Noun
The Clue: This word has more vowels than consonants. . . . Erik Kain, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 How To Solve Today’s Wordle The Hint: The Clue: This word has far more consonants than vowels. . Erik Kain, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 The Clue: This word has more vowels than consonants. Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2023 The chorus attacked its narrative role (and its several haunting stretches of a cappella singing) with crisp, consonant authority. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023 The Clue: There are more consonants than vowels in this word. Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023 This way the film becomes a kind of extended romantic riff on the idea that even when separated, two people can be having consonant, resonant experiences. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023 Jacksonville, the franchise that couldn’t spell Super Bowl if Vanna White hand-delivered all of the consonants, has won 12 of its past 15 games dating to last season. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2023 The Clue: There are way more consonants than vowels in this word. Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consonant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, "in conformity with," borrowed from Latin consonant-, consonans "sounding in accord, agreeing, fitting," from present participle of consonāre "to sound together, agree, be in harmony," from con- con- + sonāre "to make a noise, sound" — more at sound entry 2

Noun

Middle English consonans, consonaunte, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French consonant, borrowed from Latin consonant-, consonans (originally as modifying littera "letter"), noun derivative from present participle of consonāre "to sound together" — more at consonant entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of consonant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near consonant

Cite this Entry

“Consonant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consonant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

consonant

1 of 2 adjective
con·​so·​nant ˈkän(t)-s(ə-)nənt How to pronounce consonant (audio)
: being in harmony or agreement
consonantly adverb

consonant

2 of 2 noun
1
: a speech sound (as \p\, \n\, or \s\) produced by narrowing or closing the breath channel at one or more points
2
: a letter representing a consonant
especially : any letter of the English alphabet except a, e, i, o, and u
consonantal
ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈnant-ᵊl
adjective

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