monophthong

[ mon-uhf-thawng, -thong ]

noun

, Phonetics.

1. a vowel retaining the same quality throughout its duration.

monophthong

/ ˌmɒnəfˈθɒŋɡəl; ˈmɒnəfˌθɒŋ /

noun

1. a simple or pure vowel

Derived Forms

• monophthongal, adjective

Other Words From

• mon·oph·thon·gal [mon, -, uh, f-thawng-g, uh, l, -thong-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monophthong¹

1610–20; < Greek monóphthongos equivalent to mono- mono- + phthóngos sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of monophthong¹

C17: from Greek monophthongos, from mono- + thongos sound

Example Sentences

Even such a sound as is represented by -au or -aw, though it has but slight diphthongal quality, seems to sound longer than most monophthongs.

From Project Gutenberg

The vowels tend to become higher or lower, the diphthongs tend to coalesce into monophthongs, the voiceless consonants tend to become voiced, stops tend to become spirants.

From Project Gutenberg