Definition

Related to a specific type of vowel sound that begins with one vowel and glides into another within the same syllable.

Example

In phonetics, a diphthongal sound can be heard in the word 'coin'.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term diphthongal?

Yeah, I think it relates to vowel sounds, right?

Exactly! It describes those complex sounds we make in speech.

That makes sense; I always found them interesting.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Diphthongal → It is formed from "diphthong" (from Greek "diphthongos", meaning two sounds or voices) and the suffix "-al" (meaning pertaining to). The word "diphthongal" refers to something that pertains to or is characterized by a diphthong, which is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another.

Memory Tip

Think of 'two sounds' ('diphthong') that blend together, and remember that 'diphthongal' describes something related to those two sounds.

Visually Confused Words