Definition

1. Noun:
   • The property of sounding harmonious: In music and general sound, consonance refers to a pleasing combination of sounds, a state of agreement or harmony.
   • The repetition of consonants or consonant patterns: In literature and poetry, consonance is a stylistic device involving the repetition of identical or similar consonant sounds, particularly at the ends of words.

Examples of Usage

• Referring to harmonious sound or agreement:
  • The consonance of the orchestra's strings created a beautiful, peaceful atmosphere.
  • There was a perfect consonance between the company's goals and its employees' values.
• Referring to the literary device:
  • The poet used consonance with the repeated 's' sounds to mimic the whisper of the wind.
  • "Stroke of luck" is an example of consonance with the 'k' sound.

Advanced Usage

• "In consonance with": In agreement or harmony with something.
  • The new policy was developed in consonance with international standards.
• Cognitive consonance: A psychological concept related to the harmony between one's beliefs and actions, though more commonly expressed as "cognitive " (its opposite).

Variants and Related Words

• Consonant (adj): Being in agreement or harmony; compatible.
  • His actions were consonant with his peaceful words.
• Consonant (n): A speech sound (like p, b, t, d) that is not a vowel.
• Dissonance (n): A lack of harmony or agreement; the opposite of consonance.
  • The dissonance in the modern piece was jarring to some listeners.

Synonyms

• Harmony: A pleasing combination of elements in a whole.
• Accord: Official agreement or harmony.
• Concord: A state of agreement or harmony.
• Alliteration (specifically for initial consonant repetition, a related literary device).

Related Phrases

• Consonance and assonance: Often discussed together in poetry; assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds.

Related Idioms

• To be in tune with: To be in harmony or agreement with (similar in meaning to "in consonance with").
  • The manager's vision was perfectly in tune with the team's aspirations.

Noun

1. the property of sounding harmonious
2. the repetition of consonants (or consonant patterns) especially at the ends of words