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Approximant vs Sonorant - What's the difference?

approximant | sonorant |

In phonetics terms the difference between approximant and sonorant

is that approximant is a consonant sound made by slightly narrowing the vocal tract, while still allowing a smooth flow of air. Liquids and glides are approximants while sonorant is a speech sound that is produced without turbulent airflow in the vocal tract; the generic term of vowel, approximant, nasal consonant, etc.

approximant

English

Noun

(Approximant consonant) (en noun)
  • (phonetics) a consonant sound made by slightly narrowing the vocal tract, while still allowing a smooth flow of air. Liquids and glides are approximants.
  • (mathematics) An approximation to the solution of a function, series, etc.

    • See also

    * liquid * glide * consonant ----

    sonorant

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (phonetics) A speech sound that is produced without turbulent airflow in the vocal tract; the generic term of vowel, approximant, nasal consonant, etc.