vowel
word
Definition
A vowel is a speech sound made without closing any part of the mouth, like the letters A, E, I, O, and U in English.
Usage & Nuances
'Vowel' is a basic linguistic term, often paired with 'consonant.' In English, the main vowels are A, E, I, O, and U. The letter 'Y' can sometimes act as a vowel. 'Vowel sound' refers to how a vowel is pronounced, not just the letter.
Spanish: vocalPortuguese (BR): vogalPortuguese (PT): vogalChinese (Simplified): 元音Chinese (Traditional): 母音Hindi: स्वरArabic: حرف علة
Example Sentences
The letter 'A' is a vowel.
basic
English has five main vowels.
basic
A, E, I, O, and U are all vowels in English.
basic
Some words have no vowels at all, like 'rhythm'.
natural
Sometimes 'Y' acts as a vowel, like in 'myth.'
natural
If you change the vowel, the word's meaning can change too.
natural