consonant

1 of 2

adjective

con·​so·​nant ˈkän(t)-s(ə-)nənt 

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• symmetric
• symmetrical
• harmonic
• balanced
• elegant

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

That is why Pärt’s music in English, with its many single-syllable words, consonant clusters and diphthongs, sounds one way. —Jeffers Engelhardt, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025

Their two consonant names, Lizzy and Lydia, invite comparison and contrast. —Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025

Noun

The soft sign is a letter of the Russian alphabet with no sound of its own which softens the preceding consonant. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

Today’s Wordle Hints And Answer Wordle Bot’s Starting Word: SLATE My Starting Word Today: SPORE (146 words remaining) The Hint: Prank The Clue: This Wordle has far more consonants than vowels. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing consonant

• consonant shift

Kids Definition

consonant

1 of 2 adjective

con·​so·​nant ˈkän(t)-s(ə-)nənt 

: 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