diphthong

diph·thong | \ ˈdif-ˌthȯŋ

, ˈdip- \

Definition of diphthong

1 linguistics : a gliding (see glide entry 1 sense 4) monosyllabic speech sound (such 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 linguistics : digraph

3 : the ligature (see ligature sense 4) æ or œ

Other Words from diphthong Example Sentences Learn More about diphthong

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of diphthong in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Even the big diphthongs that my grandfather’s years in the States had tamped down swelled back to their former glory in this company. — Kevin Dettmar, The New Yorker, "Witnessing the Moon Landing in Ireland, at the Start of the Troubles," 20 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diphthong.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.