sonorants

/səˈnɔːrənts/ /səˈnɑːrənts/

Meanings

noun

A speech sound that is produced without turbulent airflow in the vocal tract; the generic term of vowel, approximant, nasal consonant, etc.

Examples :

"In English phonetics class, the students learned that vowels, nasal consonants like "m" and "n," and approximants like "w" and "r" are all categorized as sonorants because they are produced with relatively free airflow. "

Related Words

relatively adverb

[ˈɹɛl.ə.tʰɪv.li]

Proportionally, in relation to some larger scale thing.

"He measured his success relatively, that is, competitively."

students noun

/ˈstjuːdn̩ts/ /ˈstudn̩ts/

A person who studies or learns about a particular subject.

"He is a student of life."

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. "

approximant noun

/əˈpɹɒksɪmənt/ /əˈpɹɑksəmənt/

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, 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. "

produced verb

/pɹəˈdjuːst/ /pɹəˈdust/

To yield, make or manufacture; to generate.

"The factory produced 1000 cars last week. "

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. "

consonants noun

/ˈkɑnsənənts/ /ˈkɒnsənənts/

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 word "cat" has two consonants, "c" and "t", surrounding the vowel "a." "

airflow noun

/ˈɛrˌfloʊ/

Any flow of air, especially the motion of air around a moving aircraft or aerofoil.

"The small fan improved the airflow in the stuffy room. "

categorized verb

/ˈkætəɡɔˌraɪzd/ /ˈkætəɡəˌraɪzd/

To assign a category; to divide into classes.

"First, categorize incoming messages according to the needed actions."

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. "

without adverb

/wɪθˈʌʊt/ /wɪðˈaʊt/

Outside, externally. This is still used in the names of some civil parishes in England, e.g. St Cuthbert Without.

"The school is located just outside the town, without the main shopping area. "

turbulent adjective

/ˈtɜːbjələnt/

Violently disturbed or agitated; tempestuous, tumultuous

"It is dangerous to sail in turbulent seas."