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consonance
/ˈkɒn.sə.nəns/
agreement of sounds
The poem's consonance made it pleasant to read aloud.
The repetition of similar sounds in the poem created a harmonious rhythm.
technical
A harmonious combination of sounds or musical notes
The composer used consonance to create a soothing melody.
The smooth blending of notes produced a calming effect.
In music theory, consonance refers to sounds that are stable and pleasant when played together.
formal
Agreement or compatibility between opinions or actions
There was a pleasing consonance between the team's goals and the company's mission.
The alignment of the team's objectives with the company's values was evident.
Often used in contexts like philosophy, ethics, or organizational alignment.
technical
The repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity in writing
The poet employed consonance in phrases like 'pitter patter' to enhance rhythm.
The repeated 't' and 'p' sounds created a tactile, rhythmic effect.
A literary device used to create musicality or emphasis in prose or poetry.
Collocations
in consonance within agreement or harmony with
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Memory Tip
Associate 'consonance' with 'consonants' in language and 'consonant' chords in music—both involve repetition and harmony.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'consonance' shifts between music, literature, and general agreement. Always check the context.
Word Origin
From Old French 'consonance' (14th century), from Latin 'consonantia' meaning 'agreement', from 'consonare' ('to sound together'), from 'con-' ('with') + 'sonare' ('to sound').
Usage Notes
Consonance is often contrasted with dissonance in music and literature. In everyday language, it may imply a pleasing or logical alignment of ideas.
Word Breakdown
con-
with, together
prefix-son-
sound
root-ance
state or quality of
suffixEnglish Dictionary