noun
diphthong
DIF-thawng/ˈdɪfθɔːŋ/
A vowel sound that glides from one vowel position to another within a single syllable.
The diphthong begins with an open vowel and glides toward a higher tongue position.
Etymology
The pieces mean “double sound”: a diphthong combines two vowel positions within one syllable, with the voice gliding from one toward the other.
In context
a movement or a glide from a non close to a closed position or from close to closer it means that this vowel is this diphthong is a closing diphthong
More examples
- The words “coin” and “toy” contain the same diphthong.
- Your mouth changes position as you pronounce a diphthong.
- The class practices diphthongs by slowly saying “house” and “night.”
Forms
diphthong · diphthongs
diphthongal adjective — Relating to a gliding vowel sound.
Similar words
- gliding vowel
- Names the same sound using a more descriptive phrase.