Diphthong – a sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable

(Pronounced dip-thong)

Note: Examples include the sound formed by two vowels in the words 'coin and 'feat'.

To remember the definition of the word diphthong, use the following mnemonic:

He took a dip in the pool, wearing only a thong (diphthong) while making sounds formed of two combined vowels. From that point on he will always remember that ouch has a diphthong. 

Note: The 'ou' in ouch and the 'ie' in believe are also diphthongs.

Examples of diphthong in a sentence

He found diphthongs tricky when first learning to read English.  

It was a spurious diphthong sound. 

She always forgets the first 'h' in diphthong.