VELAR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does velar mean? 

• VELAR (noun)
  The noun VELAR has 1 sense:

1. a consonant produced with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate

  Familiarity information: VELAR used as a noun is very rare.

• VELAR (adjective)
  The adjective VELAR has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to the velum

2. produced with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate (as 'k' in 'cat' and 'g' in 'gun' and 'ng' in 'sing')

  Familiarity information: VELAR used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VELAR (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A consonant produced with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

velar; velar consonant

Hypernyms ("velar" is a kind of...):

consonant (a speech sound that is not a vowel)

• VELAR (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to the velum

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

velum (a muscular flap that closes off the nasopharynx during swallowing or speaking)

Derivation:

velum (a muscular flap that closes off the nasopharynx during swallowing or speaking)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Produced with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate (as 'k' in 'cat' and 'g' in 'gun' and 'ng' in 'sing')

Similar:

hard ((of speech sounds); produced with the back of the tongue raised toward or touching the velum)