semivowel Hear it!

semivowel definition

semi·vowel (sem′i vo̵u′əl)

noun

a vowel-like sound occurring in consonantal positions in the same syllable with a true vowel, characterized by brief duration and rapid change from one position of articulation to another the English glides (w) and (y) are semivowels

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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