How to pronounce consonant
Say it like KAHN-suh-nunt. Consonant has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce consonant. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAHN
- suh
- nunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Consonant pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nuntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of consonant
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KON-suh-nunt.
What does consonant mean?
- A sound that results from the passage of air through restrictions of the oral cavity; any sound that is not the dominant sound of a syllable, the dominant sound generally being a vowel.
- A letter representing the sound of a consonant.
- Consistent, harmonious, compatible, or in agreement.
- Having the same sound.
- Harmonizing together; accordant.“consonant tones; consonant chords”
Where does consonant come from?
From Middle English consonant or consonaunt, from Old French consonant, from Latin cōnsonāns (“sounding with”), from the prefix con- (“with”) + the present participle sonāns (“sounding”), from sonāre (“to sound”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying consonant
How do you pronounce consonant?
Say KAHN-suh-nunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑnsənənt/. In British English it is /ˈkɒnsənənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in consonant?
Consonant has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHN). Broken into parts: KAHN · suh · nunt.
Is consonant pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒnsənənt/ (KON-suh-nunt).