Definition

A sound made by combining two vowel sounds in one syllable, where the sound starts as one vowel and glides into another, like the sound in the word 'coin'.

Example

In English, the word 'coin' contains a diphthong.

Conversation

Have you ever heard about the concept of a diphthong?

Yeah, I learned about that in my linguistics class.

It's fascinating how some vowel sounds can blend together to form a diphthong.

Absolutely! It really changes how we pronounce words.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Diphthong → It is formed from "di-" (meaning two) and "phthongos" (meaning sound or voice in Greek). The word "diphthong" refers to a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another, thus involving two sounds.

Memory Tip

Think of 'two' ('di-') sounds blending together ('phthongos') to remember that a diphthong is a combination of two vowel sounds.

Visually Confused Words