A voiced labial–velar approximant is a type of consonantal sound, used in certain spoken languages, including English. It is the sound denoted by the letter ⟨w⟩ in the English alphabet; likewise, the symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ⟨w⟩, or rarely [ɰʷ]. In most languages it is the semivocalic counterpart of a close back rounded vowel [u]. In inventory charts of languages with other labialized velar consonants, /w/ will be placed in the same column as those consonants. When consonant charts have only labial and velar columns, /w/ may be placed in the velar column, labial column, or both. The placement may have more to do with convenience or phonological criteria than with phonetics.
For a labialized post-palatal approximant sometimes described as a voiced labial–prevelar approximant, which is more fronted in the place of articulation than a prototypical labial–velar approximant, see Labial–palatal approximant § Post-palatal.
