In
phonetics, a
triphthong ( or ) (from
Greek τρίφθογγος, "triphthongos", literally "with three sounds," or "with three tones") is a
monosyllabic vowel combination involving a quick but smooth movement of the articulator from one vowel quality to another that passes over a third. While "pure" vowels, or
monophthongs, are said to have one target articulator position,
diphthongs have two, and triphthongs three.