vowel

Definition

A sound produced by the vocal cords with relatively little restriction of the oral cavity, forming the prominent sound of a syllable.

Etymology

From Middle English vowel, from Old French vouel, a variant of voyeul (whence French voyelle), from Latin vōcālis (“voiced”), itself a semantic loan of Koine Greek φωνῆεν (phōnêen). Doublet of vocal and vocalis.

Example Sentences

• "In Welsh, the w usually represents a vowel."
• "Facetiously is spelled with all six vowels in alphabetical order."

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