noun
consonant
KAHN-suh-nunt/ˈkɑːnsənənt/
A speech sound formed by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract.
The consonant sound forms where the upper teeth restrict airflow against the lower lip.
Etymology
The pieces mean “sounding together.” Consonants received this name because they were thought to be sounds produced only together with vowels.
In context
linking this occurs when the final sound of one word is a consonant it may get linked to the beginning vowel sound of the next word
More examples
- The word "dog" ends with a consonant.
- In "ship," two letters represent a single consonant.
- The letters B and T are consonants.
Forms
consonant · consonants
consonantal adjective — Relating to consonants or their sounds.
Similar words
- sound
- A broader term that includes vowels and non-speech noises.