triphthong
noun/ˈtrɪfθɒŋ/, /ˈtrɪpθɒŋ/
/ˈtrɪfθɔːŋ/, /ˈtrɪpθɔːŋ/
(phonetics)- a combination of three vowel sounds or vowel letters, for example the sounds /aɪə/ in fire /faɪə(r)/ compare diphthong, monophthongWord Originmid 16th cent.: from French triphtongue, from tri- ‘three’, on the pattern of diphthong.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
Check pronunciation:
triphthong