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

Sperm whales also use sounds that resemble vowels called an A-vowel and an I-vowel. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 July 2026

The consonants and vowels rolling loosely on my tongue and then flattening into music. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

Guests wear name tags with their slime names, based on a 2017 slime trend to replace vowels with two ‘o’s. — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026

My first guess, FLAME, was good enough, leaving me with just 63 words and two green vowels. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

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