diphthong

[ dif-thawng, -thong, dip- ]

noun

1. Phonetics. an unsegmentable, gliding speech sound varying continuously in phonetic quality but held to be a single sound or phoneme and identified by its apparent beginning and ending sound, as the oi- sound of toy or boil.
2. (not in technical use)
   1. a digraph, as the ea of meat.
   2. a ligature, as æ.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to diphthongize.

diphthong

/ ˈdɪp-; ˈdɪfθɒŋ /

noun

1. a vowel sound, occupying a single syllable, during the articulation of which the tongue moves from one position to another, causing a continual change in vowel quality, as in the pronunciation of a in English late, during which the tongue moves from the position of (e) towards ( ɪ )
2. a digraph or ligature representing a composite vowel such as this, as ae in Caesar

Derived Forms

• diphˈthongal, adjective

Other Words From

• diph·thon·gal [dif-, thawng, -g, uh, l, -, thong, -, dip-], diph·thongic diph·thongous adjective
• nondiph·thongal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diphthong¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English diptonge, from Late Latin diphthongus, from Greek díphthongos literally, “having two sounds,” equivalent to di- di- ¹ + phthóngos “voice, sound”

Word History and Origins

Origin of diphthong¹

C15: from Late Latin diphthongus, from Greek diphthongos, from di- ¹+ phthongos sound

Example Sentences

There’s a special note of aggressive contempt that can be layered into the diphthongs and glottal stops of what linguists call Inland North American English, and Carone used it lavishly.

From New York Times

Even the big diphthongs that my grandfather’s years in the States had tamped down swelled back to their former glory in this company.

From The New Yorker

He erodes consonants, turns simple vowels into unpredictable diphthongs, and takes each new sentence as an opportunity for rococo improvisation.

From The New Yorker

I begin by pronouncing words with vowels of the long and short variety, then diphthongs, before moving on to consonants, including plosives and fricatives.

From The Guardian

Some aspects of the pronunciation, such as the diphthong in words like "fight", are becoming more marked.

From The Guardian