monophthong

[mon-uhf-thawng, -thong]

noun

Phonetics.

1. a vowel retaining the same quality throughout its duration.

monophthong

/ ˌmɒnəfˈθɒŋɡəl, ˈmɒnəfˌθɒŋ /

noun

1. a simple or pure vowel

Other Word Forms

• monophthongal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monophthong¹

1610–20; < Greek monóphthongos equivalent to mono- mono- + phthóngos sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of monophthong¹

C17: from Greek monophthongos, from _mono- + thongos sound

Example Sentences

Even such a sound as is represented by -au or -aw, though it has but slight diphthongal quality, seems to sound longer than most monophthongs.

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The vowels tend to become higher or lower, the diphthongs tend to coalesce into monophthongs, the voiceless consonants tend to become voiced, stops tend to become spirants.

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