Approximants are speech sounds that could be regarded as intermediate between vowels and typical consonants. In the articulation of approximants, articulatory organs produce a narrowing of the vocal tract, but leave enough space for air to flow without audible turbulence — approximants are therefore more open than fricatives. This class of sounds includes l-like lateral approximants like as in lip and so-called semivowels like [j] or [w] as in yes and well.

Palatal approximants correspond to front vowels, velar approximants to back vowels, and labialized approximants to rounded vowels. They are typically briefer, less stable and often closer than the corresponding vowels.

List of semivowels:

• labiodental approximant [ʋ]
• alveolar approximant [ɹ]
• retroflex approximant [ɻ]
• palatal approximant [j]
• velar approximant [ɰ]
• labial-velar approximant [w]
• labial-palatal approximant [ɥ]

List of lateral approximants:

• alveolar lateral approximant [l]
• velarized alveolar lateral approximant [ɫ]
• retroflex lateral approximant [ɭ]
• palatal lateral approximant [ʎ]
• velar lateral approximant [ʟ]

See also

• List of phonetics topics