monophthong

noun

mon·​oph·​thong ˈmä-nə(f)-ˌthȯŋ How to pronounce monophthong (audio)
: a vowel sound that throughout its duration has a single constant articulatory position
monophthongal adjective

Word History

Etymology

Late Greek monophthongos single vowel, from Greek mon- + phthongos sound

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monophthong was in 1616

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Cite this Entry

“Monophthong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monophthong. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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