diphthong Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a vowel sound that starts near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves toward the position for another

L. diphthongus, Gr. = twice + voice, sound, fr. to utter a sound: cf. F. diphthongue.

(Orthoëpy) (a) A coalition or union of two vowel sounds pronounced in one syllable; as, ou in out, oi in noise; -- called a proper diphthong. (b) A vowel digraph; a union of two vowels in the same syllable, only one of them being sounded; as, ai in rain, eo in people; -- called an improper diphthong.