triphthong

[trif-thawng, -thong, trip-]

noun

1. Phonetics.,  a monosyllabic speech-sound sequence perceived as being made up of three differing vowel qualities, as the pronunciation of our, especially in r-dropping dialects.

2. (not in technical use) a trigraph.

triphthong

/ ˈtrɪp-, ˈtrɪfθɒŋ /

noun

1. a composite vowel sound during the articulation of which the vocal organs move from one position through a second, ending in a third

2. a trigraph representing a composite vowel sound such as this

Other Word Forms

• triphthongal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of triphthong¹

1590–1600; < New Latin triphthongus < Medieval Greek tríphthongos with three vowels, equivalent to tri- tri- + phthóngos voice, sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of triphthong¹

C16: via New Latin from Medieval Greek triphthongos , from _tri- + phthongos sound; compare _diphthong

Example Sentences

Probably the most striking feature of the pronunciation is the unusual number of diphthongs and triphthongs, both ascending and descending.

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The triphthong is properly a union of letters, not sounds.

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I is joined with eu in lieu, and ew in view; which triphthongs are sounded as the open u.

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Again: ask a boy, "What is a triphthong?"

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Only the first two of these four words contain a triphthong.

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