consonance

noun

con·​so·​nance ˈkän(t)-s(ə-)nən(t)s 

1

: harmony or agreement among components

His beliefs are in consonance with the political party's views.

2

a

: correspondence or recurrence of sounds especially in words

specifically : recurrence or repetition of consonants especially at the end of stressed syllables without the similar correspondence of vowels (as in the final sounds of "stroke" and "luck")

b

: concord sense 1b

c

: sympathetic vibration, resonance

Synonyms of consonance

• symmetry
• harmony
• orchestration
• proportion
• balance

Examples of consonance in a Sentence

at present, the living room lacks consonance because all of the furniture is on one side

in good writing there is always consonance of thought and expression, as the use of simple words for simple thoughts

Recent Examples on the Web

Multitracked saxophones swarm over a pit of molten bass frequencies, slipping between sentimental consonance—you might momentarily be reminded of Vangelis’ Blade Runner score—and eerie discord. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026

Dissonance and harmony, consonance and clash: the sound kept swallowing its own tail. —Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026

The song amounts to a masterpiece not just in how images move within the restricted space of a pop song, but also in rhyme and off-rhyme and consonance. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025

Dissonance dissolves into consonance, consonance is drowned in dissonance. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English consonance, consonaunce "fixed relationship, agreement," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French consonance "musical note, sound," borrowed from Latin consonantia "musical concord, harmony of sounds," noun derivative of consonant-, consonans "sounding in accord, agreeing, fitting" — more at consonant entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing consonance

• in consonance with

Kids Definition

consonance

noun

con·​so·​nance ˈkän(t)-s(ə-)nən(t)s 

: harmony or agreement especially of musical tones or speech sounds