Consonants meaning

Consonants are speech sounds that are produced by partially or completely blocking the flow of air through the mouth using the articulators.


Consonants definitions

Word backwards stnanosnoc
Part of speech The word "consonants" is a noun.
Syllabic division con-so-nants
Plural The plural form of the word "consonants" is "consonants."
Total letters 10
Vogais (2) o,a
Consonants (4) c,n,s,t

Consonants are speech sounds that are produced by obstructing or restricting airflow in the vocal tract. Unlike vowels, which are produced with an open vocal tract, consonants require some form of closure or constriction to create sound.

Consonants can be categorized based on various characteristics such as place of articulation, manner of articulation, and voicing. Place of articulation refers to where in the vocal tract the obstruction occurs, while manner of articulation describes how the obstruction is formed. Voicing distinguishes between sounds that involve vibration of the vocal cords and those that do not.

Types of Consonants

There are several types of consonants, including stops, fricatives, affricates, nasals, liquids, and glides. Stops are sounds produced by completely blocking the airflow, then releasing it suddenly (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/). Fricatives involve creating friction by partially obstructing the airflow (e.g., /s/, /f/, /sh/). Affricates begin as stops and release as fricatives (e.g., /ch/, /j/).

Articulation and Production

The production of consonant sounds involves precise articulation of different parts of the vocal tract, including the lips, tongue, teeth, alveolar ridge, hard palate, and soft palate. The coordination of these articulators is essential for clear and accurate speech production.

Consonants in Language

Consonants play a crucial role in language, as they help distinguish between words and convey meaning. Different languages may have varying consonant inventories, leading to unique patterns of pronunciation and speech. Understanding the role and function of consonants is fundamental to mastering a language.

Consonants are integral components of the phonetic system, shaping the soundscape of human speech. By grasping the nuances of consonant production and variation, individuals can enhance their linguistic abilities and communication skills.


Consonants Examples

  1. The word "rhythm" contains no vowels, only consonants.
  2. Consonants are the sounds in language produced by blocking or restricting airflow in the vocal tract.
  3. In the English alphabet, there are 21 consonants.
  4. Some languages have consonant clusters that can be challenging to pronounce.
  5. Consonants play a crucial role in distinguishing one word from another.
  6. The word "strengths" has eight consonants in a row.
  7. Consonants can be voiced or voiceless, depending on whether the vocal cords vibrate.
  8. The sounds of consonants can change based on their position within a word.
  9. Vowels, unlike consonants, are sounds produced with an open vocal tract.
  10. Certain languages, such as Hawaiian, have very few consonant sounds compared to English.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 19/06/2024 - 16:28:52