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

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

Researchers at Carleton University found that people with names like Renee, Liam or Noelle—which include soft, flowing consonant sounds—were more likely to be favored for certain roles over people with names like Greta, Tate or Krista, whose names contain harsher sounds. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025

Noun

Study participants were then asked to choose who to hire for each job, selecting between pairs of candidates whose names were crafted to emphasize either sonorant consonants or voiceless stop consonants. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025

The Clue: This Wordle has more consonants than vowels. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 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