Definition

1. Noun:

   • A speech sound: A consonant sound produced by placing the lower lip against the upper teeth.
   • A phonetic class: A consonant belonging to the class of sounds articulated with a labiodental manner of articulation.

2. Adjective:

   • Relating to articulation: Of or denoting a speech sound made with the lower lip and the upper teeth.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The sounds /f/ and /v/ are labiodentals in English.
  • In phonetics class, we learned to identify labiodentals by their place of articulation.

• Adjective:

  • The labiodental fricative /f/ is voiceless.
  • She described the labiodental articulation clearly for the students.

Advanced Usage

• Phonetic Description: The term is primarily used in technical linguistic and phonetic contexts to classify sounds based on their place of articulation (where in the vocal tract the sound is made).
• Contrast with other places: Labiodental sounds are distinct from bilabial sounds (using both lips, like /p/, /b/, /m/) and interdental sounds (with the tongue between the teeth, like /θ/ and /ð/).

Variants and Related Words

• Labiodentalization (n): The process of making a sound labiodental, or a secondary articulation involving the lips and teeth.
• Labiodentalize (v): To articulate a sound with the lower lip against the upper teeth.

Synonyms

• (As a class of sounds): There is no single-word synonym, but it can be described as "a lip-and-teeth consonant."

Different Meanings

This word has a highly specialized meaning in phonetics and linguistics. It does not have common alternative meanings outside this technical field.

Idioms

• Not applicable. This is a technical term and is not used idiomatically.

Phrasal Verbs

• Not applicable. This is a noun/adjective, not a verb.

Noun

1. a consonant whose articulation involves the lips and teeth