Definition

Referring to something that comes after a consonant sound in speech or writing.

Example

In phonetics, a postconsonantal vowel is one that follows a consonant.

Conversation

I was reading about how certain sounds are postconsonantal in languages.

That sounds interesting! What does that mean exactly?

It means those sounds come after consonants, which can change their pronunciation.

Got it! Language is so fascinating with all its rules.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Postconsonantal → It is formed from "post-" (meaning after) and "consonant" (from Latin "consonans", meaning sounding together) and the suffix "-al" (meaning relating to). The word refers to something that occurs after a consonant sound.

Memory Tip

Think of something that happens 'after' ('post-') a 'consonant' sound — that's what postconsonantal means.

Visually Confused Words