What does consonancy mean?
Consonancy is a rare noun meaning agreement, accord, or harmony. It is used when two or more elements fit together convincingly: sounds may be consonant, but so may claims, accounts, or interpretations. The word therefore has a broad figurative sense as well as a historical connection with the agreement of sounds. In modern English it appears chiefly in formal, literary, or technical discussion, often in the construction “in consonancy with.” For ordinary prose about agreement between claims, “consistency” or “agreement” is usually clearer, while “consonance” is a common alternative with a similar sound-based emphasis. Consonancy should not be confused with the grammatical term consonance, which refers to a consonant’s agreement with a following sound. Although uncommon, the word is useful when the focus is specifically on harmony or fit between elements rather than merely the absence of contradiction.
nounThe state or quality of being in agreement, accord, or harmony, especially when two sounds, statements, or other elements fit together.
- Agreement, accord, or harmony between elements, especially sounds, statements, or interpretations.
"The critic found a striking consonancy between the novel's imagery and its historical setting."
"The agreement of the witnesses established the consonancy of their accounts."
"In the closing movement, the consonancy of the strings and woodwinds gives the texture unusual warmth."
The regular plural is consonancies, although plural use is uncommon because the noun itself is rare.
"The scholar identified several consonancies between the two intellectual traditions."
Consonancy is agreement with an ear to it: sounds, stories, or theories fitting together in harmony.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does consonancy come from?
Consonancy belongs to a family of English words based on Latin consonare, “to sound together.” Latin consonantia, meaning agreement or harmony, underlies related forms such as consonance, consonant, and consonate. The English noun developed as a less common alternative to consonance, extending the idea of sounds agreeing to the broader idea of elements being in accord.
Related word forms
How consonancy is actually used
Rare, formal, or literary. It is not standard terminology for grammatical agreement; in ordinary writing, agreement, accord, or harmony is usually more natural.
Easily confused with consonancy
Consistency emphasizes the absence of contradictions or irregularities, whereas consonancy more broadly suggests agreement or harmony between sounds, ideas, or accounts.