monophthong

[ mon-uh f-thawng, -thong ]
/ ˈmɒn əfˌθɔŋ, -ˌθɒŋ /

noun Phonetics.

a vowel retaining the same quality throughout its duration.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

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Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
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Compare diphthong.

Origin of monophthong

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

OTHER WORDS FROM monophthong

mon·oph·thon·gal [mon-uh f-thawng-guh l, -thong-] /ˈmɒn əfˌθɔŋ gəl, -ˌθɒŋ-/, adjective

Words nearby monophthong

monophobia, monophonic, monophony, monophosphate, monophthalmos, monophthong, monophthongize, monophyletic, monophyllous, monophysite, monoplane
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for monophthong

monophthong
/ (ˈmɒnəfˌθɒŋ) /

noun

a simple or pure vowel

Derived forms of monophthong

monophthongal (ˌmɒnəfˈθɒŋɡəl), adjective

Word Origin for monophthong

C17: from Greek monophthongos, from mono- + thongos sound
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012