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Diphthong
Diphthong OW / Mouth Vowel
The diphthong vowel sound heard in words like "now", "house", "out", and "down". Often called the MOUTH vowel. It starts with a low vowel, similar to /æ/ or /ɑ/, and glides towards a high back rounded vowel /ʊ/.
Phonetic
owVoicing
VoicedPlace of Articulation
Low-Back-to-High-BackManner of Articulation
Vowel (Diphthong)Mouth Position
Start with the jaw wide open, tongue low (either front /æ/ or central /ɑ/). Then, glide the tongue high and back while rounding the lips for the /ʊ/ sound. The jaw closes significantly during the glide.
How to Make This Sound
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Example Words
nowMain Example
naʊhouse
haʊsout
aʊtdown
daʊnabout
əˈbaʊthow
haʊsound
saʊndmouth
maʊθtown
taʊnfound
faʊndPronunciation Practice
11 words
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Minimal Pairs
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ow
now
naʊCompare with
N
no
noʊow
down
daʊnCompare with
D
dawn
dɔnow
house (noun)
haʊsCompare with
H
house (verb)
haʊzow
found
faʊndCompare with
F
phoned
foʊndTongue Twister
Practice: Diphthong
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