Labiovelar consonant
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The term labiovelar is ambiguous. It may mean labial-velar (a consonant made at two points of articulation, one at the lips labial and the other at the soft palate), or it may mean labialized velar.
Either of the more specific terms accurately describes the most common labiovelar consonant, the approximant [w]. However, when the manner of articulation is a plosive, nasal stop, or fricative, they are quite different. Labialized velars include [kʷ, gʷ, xʷ, ŋʷ], that is, like a [k] etc. with rounded lips. Labial-velars are less common, occurring principally in West and Central Africa, and include [k͡p, g͡b, ŋ͡m], that is, like a simultaneous [k] and [p], etc. (Labial-velar fricatives are not possible).
- See also labial-velar consonant
