trigraph

[ trahy-graf, -grahf ]

/ ˈtraɪ græf, -grɑf /

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noun

a group of three letters representing a single speech sound, as eau in beau.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of trigraph

First recorded in 1830–40; tri- + -graph

OTHER WORDS FROM trigraph

tri·graph·ic

[trahy-graf-ik], /traɪˈgræf ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby trigraph

trigonometry, trigonous, trigonum, trig point, trigram, trigraph, trihalomethane, trihedral, trihedron, trihydrate, trihydric

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use trigraph in a sentence

Trigraph, trī′graf, n. a combination of three letters sounded as one, a triphthong.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various
A vowel trigraph in which all three of the vowels are sounded.
1001 Questions and Answers on Orthography and Reading|B. A. Hathaway

British Dictionary definitions for trigraph

trigraph

/ (ˈtraɪˌɡrɑːf, -ˌɡræf) /

noun

a combination of three letters used to represent a single speech sound or phoneme, such as eau in French beau

Derived forms of trigraph

trigraphic (traɪˈɡræfɪk), adjective

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