First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
vowel
noun vow·el \ˈvau̇(-ə)l\
: a speech sound made with your mouth open and your tongue in the middle of your mouth not touching your teeth, lips, etc.
: a letter (such as a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y in English) that represents a vowel
Full Definition of VOWEL
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
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Origin of VOWEL
Middle English, from Anglo-French vowele, from Latin vocalis — more at vocalic
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
VOWEL Defined for Kids
vowel
noun vow·el \ˈvau̇-əl\
Definition of VOWEL for Kids
1
: a speech sound (as \ə\, \ā\, or \ȯ\) produced without obstruction in the mouth
2
: a letter (as a, e, i, o, u) representing a vowel
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