vowel

[ vou-uhl ]

noun

1. Phonetics.
   1. (in English articulation) a speech sound produced without occluding, diverting, or obstructing the flow of air from the lungs ( consonant ).
   2. (in a syllable) the sound of greatest sonority, as i in grill. Compare consonant ( def 1b ).
   3. (in linguistic function) a concept empirically determined as a phonological element in structural contrast with consonant, as the (ē) of be (bē), we (wē), and yeast (yēst).
2. a letter representing or usually representing a vowel, as, in English, a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes w and y.

adjective

1. of or relating to a vowel.

vowel

/ ˈvaʊəl /

noun

1. phonetics a voiced speech sound whose articulation is characterized by the absence of friction-causing obstruction in the vocal tract, allowing the breath stream free passage. The timbre of a vowel is chiefly determined by the position of the tongue and the lips
2. a letter or character representing a vowel

Derived Forms

• ˈvowel-less, adjective
• ˈvowel-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• vowel·less adjective
• vowel·like adjective
• vowel·y vowel·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vowel¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Old French vowel < Latin vōcālis vocal

Word History and Origins

Origin of vowel¹

C14: from Old French vouel, from Latin vocālis littera a vowel, from vocālis sonorous, from vox a voice

Example Sentences

He’d make up fake s—, just syllables and vowels, like songwriters do.

From Los Angeles Times

Her characters would crash down on consonants, as though landing a plane in the midst of an engine blowout or stretch out vowels in defiance of several laws of physics.

From Los Angeles Times

Researchers claim to have discovered two separate patterns they refer to as “coda vowels,” which are actively exchanged between whales as they communicate.

From Salon

Even the word, beginning and ending with similar vowel qualities, evinces monotony.

From Los Angeles Times

Phrases like “I’d like to buy a vowel” or “I’d like to solve” are synonymous with the show, as is Sajak’s style of an occasional quip to elicit laughs from the audience in between segments.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• articulate
• choral
• operatic
• verbal