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approximant

/əˈpɹɒksɪmənt/ /əˈpɹɑksəmənt/

Meanings
noun
A consonant sound made by slightly narrowing the vocal tract, while still allowing a smooth flow of air. Liquids and glides are approximants.

Examples :

"In phonetics class, the professor explained that an approximant, like the "r" in "red" or the "w" in "wet," is a consonant sound where the tongue comes close to the roof of the mouth but doesn't block the airflow. "
language phonetics linguistics

Related Words

Illustration consonant

consonant noun

/ˈkɒn.sə.nənt/ /ˈkɑn.sə.nənt/

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.

"The "k" sound in "kite" is a consonant. "

Illustration narrowing

narrowing verb

/ˈnæroʊɪŋ/ /ˈnærəʊɪŋ/

To reduce in width or extent; to contract.

"We need to narrow the search."

Illustration professor

professor noun

/pɹəˈfɛsə/ /pɹəˈfɛsɚ/

The most senior rank for an academic at a university or similar institution, informally also known as "full professor." Abbreviated Prof.

"Professor Smith, the head of the history department, gave a fascinating lecture on the Roman Empire. "

Illustration slightly

slightly adverb

/ˈslaɪtli/

Slenderly; delicately.

"He was slightly built, but tall."

Illustration phonetics

phonetics noun

/fəˈnɛtɪks/

The study of the physical sounds of human speech, concerned with the physical properties of speech sounds (phones), and the processes of their physiological production, auditory reception, and neurophysiological perception, and their representation by written symbols.

"My daughter's phonetics class is focusing on how different sounds are produced in various languages. "

Illustration function

function noun

/ˈfʌŋ(k)ʃən/ /ˈfʌŋkʃən/

What something does or is used for.

"The function of a school lunch is to provide students with nutrition. "

Illustration explained

explained verb

/ɪkˈspleɪnd/

To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

"To explain a chapter of the Bible."

Illustration approximants

approximants noun

/əˈprɒksɪmənts/ /əˈprɑːksɪmənts/

A consonant sound made by slightly narrowing the vocal tract, while still allowing a smooth flow of air. Liquids and glides are approximants.

"In phonetics class, we learned that the sounds /r/, /l/, /w/, and /j/ are classified as approximants because they involve a smooth, partially open vocal tract. "

Illustration construction

construction noun

/kənˈstɹʌkʃən/

The process of constructing.

"Construction is underway on the new bridge."

Illustration approximation

approximation noun

/əˌpɹɒksɪˈmeɪʃn/ /əˌpɹɑksɪˈmeɪʃn/

The act, process or result of approximating.

"The carpenter's initial measurement was just an approximation; he needed to measure more precisely to cut the wood correctly. "

Illustration allowing

allowing verb

/əˈlaʊɪŋ/

To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have.

"to allow a servant his liberty;  to allow a free passage;  to allow one day for rest"

Illustration solution

solution noun

/səˈl(j)uːʃən/

A homogeneous mixture, which may be liquid, gas or solid, formed by dissolving one or more substances.

"The lemonade was a clear solution of lemon juice and water. "