falling diphthong

noun Phonetics.

a diphthong in which the first of the two apparent vocalic elements is of greater stress or sonority and the second is of lesser stress or sonority, as in (ī), (ou), (oi), etc.

Words nearby falling diphthong

faller, fallfish, fallible, falling action, falling band, falling diphthong, falling door, falling down drunk, falling of womb, falling rhythm, falling sickness

Compare rising diphthong.

Origin of falling diphthong

First recorded in 1885–90