consonance

/ˈkɑnsənəns/

Other forms: consonances

The noun consonance refers to a state of agreement or harmony of parts, and it often refers to a pleasing combination of musical sounds.

In its musical sense, the opposite of consonance is dissonance. Consonance can also refer to a repetition of consonants in words that are close together, as the "ck" in "thick sock." In this sense, the opposite is assonance, which is a repetition of vowel sounds, as the "a's" in "bake sale."

Definitions of consonance

1. noun

   a harmonious state of things in general and of their properties (as of colors and sounds); congruity of parts with one another and with the whole
   synonyms: concord, concordance, harmony

   types:

   peace

   harmonious relations; freedom from disputes

   comity

   a state or atmosphere of harmony or mutual civility and respect

   accord, agreement

   harmony of people's opinions or actions or characters

   comity of nations

   courteous respect by one nation for the laws and institutions of another

   community, community of interests

   agreement as to goals

   concurrence, meeting of minds

   a state of cooperation

   consensus

   agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole

   sense of the meeting

   general agreement reached by an assembled group

   unanimity

   everyone being of one mind

   unison

   the state of corresponding exactly

   social contract

   an implicit agreement among people that results in the organization of society; individual surrenders liberty in return for protection

   type of:

   order

   established customary state (especially of society)
2. noun

   the property of sounding harmonious
   synonyms: harmoniousness

   type of:

   harmony

   an agreeable sound property
3. noun

   the repetition of consonants (or consonant patterns) especially at the ends of words
   synonyms: consonant rhyme

   type of:

   rhyme, rime

   correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)