consonant
A sound like /b/ or /t/, not a vowel sound.
A speech sound made by stopping or narrowing the airflow in the mouth or throat, as in /t/, /s/, or /m/.
A letter like B, C, D (not A, E, I, O, U).
A letter of the alphabet that typically represents a consonant sound, such as B, T, or S (as opposed to A, E, I, O, U).
If something is consonant with something else, it matches it.
In agreement with; consistent with; matching or fitting a particular idea, plan, or set of facts.
In music, consonant sounds pleasant together.
Pleasant-sounding and stable in combination with other sounds; harmonious rather than dissonant.
About consonants.
Relating to, consisting of, or characterized by consonants.
- Base: consonant
- Base: consonant
- Plural: consonants
consonant cluster
1two or more consonants together
Two or more consonants together, like ‘st’ in “stop”.
- Many learners find consonant clusters difficult at first.
- “Splash” begins with the consonant cluster /spl/.
- The teacher practiced consonant clusters with the class.
- “Stop” has the consonant cluster “st”.
consonant interval
1pleasant-sounding musical interval
In music, an interval that sounds pleasant and stable.
- A perfect octave is a strongly consonant interval.
- The melody emphasizes consonant intervals to create a calm mood.
- Students practiced identifying consonant intervals by ear.
consonant-vowel-consonant (cvc)
1three-letter phonics pattern
A word like “cat”: consonant + vowel + consonant.
- The teacher started with consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words like “dog” and “sun”.
- Many early readers learn to sound out CVC words first.
- “Tap” fits the CVC pattern.
- “Cat” is a CVC word.
silent consonant
1consonant letter not pronounced
A consonant letter you don’t say.
- The b in “lamb” is a silent consonant.
- English has many silent consonants, especially in older spellings.
- In “write,” the w is a silent consonant.
- The k in “know” is silent.
voiced consonant
1consonant made with vocal cords
A consonant sound with vibration in your throat.
- /z/ is a voiced consonant, while /s/ is voiceless.
- Learners often confuse voiced consonants with their voiceless pairs.
- Try touching your throat to feel the vibration in voiced consonants.
voiceless consonant
1consonant without vocal cord vibration
A consonant sound with no vibration in your throat.
- /p/ is a voiceless consonant.
- In some accents, voiceless consonants become aspirated at the start of a word.
- The pair /f/ and /v/ differ mainly by voicing.