Consonance
noun /ˈkɒnsənəns/ — The repetition of consonant sounds — the click and snap of matching sounds at the edges of words.
Definition
The repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words close together in a text, especially at the end of stressed syllables, creating rhythmic texture.
Beyond the definition
Consonance is sound's texture — the crunch of hard consonants, the whisper of soft ones. Poets use it to give language a physical quality: the 'k' sounds that strike, the 's' sounds that slide, the 'm' sounds that hum.
Origin & history
From Latin consonantia — agreement of sounds (con: together + sonare: to sound). Sounds sounding together — coordinated, harmonious.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
'He struck back, black, slack' — consonance on 'ck' creates percussive force.
She noticed the consonance in his poetry — every poem had a dominant sound, like a tuning fork run through it.
Consonance is what makes certain lines feel satisfying to say aloud — the sounds lock together.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Consonance” when the meaning fits your context: The repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words close together in a text, especially at the end of stressed syllables, creating rhythmic texture.
Synonyms
harmony, accord, phonetic repetition
Antonyms
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Artisan Working on Clock
An artisan’s bench holds an open clock with visible brass gears, a small lever, and a pulley, as an adult adjusts a cog with a fine tool.
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds, creating rhythmic texture. The interlocking gears and mechanical components on the bench create a structured, repetitive, and precise rhythmic environment, mirroring the way consonant repetition provides the rhythmic skeleton and texture for poetic language, ensuring that everything is carefully constructed and mechanically sound.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Consonance" mean?
Consonance is noun meaning: The repetition of consonant sounds — the click and snap of matching sounds at the edges of words.. The repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words close together in a text, especially at the end of stressed syllables, creating rhythmic texture.
Where does the word "Consonance" come from?
From Latin consonantia — agreement of sounds (con: together + sonare: to sound). Sounds sounding together — coordinated, harmonious.