First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
diphthong
noun diph·thong \ˈdif-ˌthȯŋ, ˈdip-\
linguistics : two vowel sounds joined in one syllable to form one speech sound
Full Definition of DIPHTHONG
1
: a gliding monosyllabic speech sound (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
: digraph
3
: the ligature æ or œ
— diph·thon·gal \dif-ˈthȯŋ-(g)əl, dip-\ adjective
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Origin of DIPHTHONG
Middle English diptonge, from Middle French diptongue, from Late Latin dipthongus, from Greek diphthongos, from di- + phthongos voice, sound
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
Rhymes with DIPHTHONG
agelong, along, art song, barong, belong, biltong, birdsong, chaise longue, daylong, ding-dong, dugong, endlong, erelong, fight song, folk song, furlong, Geelong, Haiphong, headlong, headstrong, Hong Kong, hour-long, kampong, lifelong, livelong, Mekong, monthlong, nightlong, oblong, oolong, part-song, Ping-Pong, plainsong, prolong, sarong, Shandong, shout song, sidelong, singsong, so long, souchong, swan song, theme song, torch song, weeklong, work song, yearlong
DIPHTHONG Defined for Kids
diphthong
noun diph·thong \ˈdif-ˌthȯŋ, ˈdip-\
Definition of DIPHTHONG for Kids
: two vowel sounds joined in one syllable to form one speech sound <The sounds of “ou” in “out” and of “oy” in “boy” are diphthongs.>
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