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Plosive vs Approximant - What's the difference?

plosive | approximant |

In phonetics terms the difference between plosive and approximant

is that plosive is produced in this way while 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.

As an adjective plosive

is produced in this way.

plosive

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (phonetics) Sound produced from opening a previously closed oral passage; for example, when pronouncing the sound /p/ in "pug".

    • Synonyms

    * stop, occlusive

    Related terms

    * plosion

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (phonetics) Produced in this way.

    • Derived terms

    * plosively * plosiveness ----

    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 ----