rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycoronalFront-of-tongue sound
noun / adjective

coronal

a speech sound made with the front of the tongue

The English sounds /t/ and /d/ are both coronal consonants.

Etymology
coronLatincrown
+alEnglishrelating to

Latin corona means a crown. Anatomical usage applied the crown image to the front or blade of the tongue, and phonetics uses coronal for sounds articulated with that region.

More examples

  • English /s/ is a coronal.
  • The class practices coronals such as /t/, /d/, and /n/.
  • Coronal sounds involve the tip or blade of the tongue.

Forms

coronal · coronals

Similar words

alveolar
Specifically describes sounds made at the ridge behind the upper teeth.
dental
Specifically describes sounds made with the tongue against or near teeth.