diphthong

diph·thong

noun \ˈdif-ˌthȯŋ, ˈdip-\

Definition of DIPHTHONG

1

: a gliding monosyllabic speech sound (as the vowel combination at the end of toy) that starts at or near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves to or toward the position of another

2

: digraph

3

: the ligature æ or œ

— diph·thon·gal \dif-ˈthȯŋ-(g)əl, dip-\ adjective

Examples of DIPHTHONG

1. The sounds of “ou” in “out” and of “oy” in “boy” are diphthongs.

Origin of DIPHTHONG

Middle English diptonge, from Middle French diptongue, from Late Latin dipthongus, from Greek diphthongos, from di- + phthongos voice, sound

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with DIPHTHONG

agelong, along, art song, barong, belong, biltong, birdsong, chaise longue, daylong, ding-dong, dugong, endlong, erelong, fight song, folk song, furlong, Geelong, Haiphong, headlong, headstrong, Hong Kong, hour-long, kampong, lifelong, livelong, Mekong, monthlong, nightlong, oblong, oolong, part-song, Ping-Pong, plainsong, prolong, sarong, Shandong, shout song, sidelong, singsong, so long, souchong, swan song, theme song, torch song, weeklong, work song, yearlong