vowel

vow·el

noun \ˈvau̇(-ə)l\

Definition of VOWEL

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

Origin of VOWEL

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

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

Rhymes with VOWEL

cowl, dowel, foul, fowl, growl, howl, jowl, prowl, rowel, scowl, towel, trowel, yowl