vowel

noun

vow·​el ˈvau̇(-ə)l 

1

: one of a class of speech sounds in the articulation of which the oral part of the breath channel is not blocked and is not constricted enough to cause audible friction

broadly : the one most prominent sound in a syllable

2

: a letter or other symbol representing a vowel

—usually used in English of a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y

Examples of vowel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s also used in fandom spaces, where people not only offer oblique language, but purposefully use asterisks to replace key vowels in identifying words, so the tweet won’t pop up in a general search. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026

But with the short vowels (bit or bet), the uh goes after the original vowel. —Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026

While soulful names, grandma/grandpa ones, and monikers with many vowels or inspired by numbers also made the trending list, the biggest influence on baby names in 2026 is the media parents are consuming, says Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief of Nameberry. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 30 Dec. 2025

There’s a muffled quality to the voice, and all his vowels seem to bend in the middle. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French vowele, from Latin vocalis — more at vocalic

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vowel

• great vowel shift
• vowel point
• vowel rhyme

Rhymes for vowel

• bowel
• dowel
• howel
• howell
• towel
• avowal
• disavowal

Video

The Schwa

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

Kids Definition

vowel

noun

vow·​el ˈvau̇(-ə)l 

1

: a speech sound produced without obstruction or audible friction in the mouth

2

: a letter (as a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y) representing a vowel