Meanings
plural R-coloured vowels · alternative R-colored vowel
- human sciencesA vowel modified so that the frequency of its third formant is lowered.
[ɚ] is an R-coloured vowel; its non-rhotacised form is [ə].
1 more example
Words such as start, better, and turn, for example, are likely to be pronounced with a lengthened vowel instead of the r-coloured vowel. While this type of substitution may simply sound like a quaint accent, it may also cause[…]
2019 December 9, Graeme Ching, Teaching English: A Practical Guide for Language Teachers, Canadian Scholars, →ISBN, page 231Synonyms: rhotacized vowel, vocalic R
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA vowel modified so that the frequency of its third formant is lowered.
Translations
Finnish r-värinen vokaali
- r-värinen vokaalia type of modified vowel
Polish samogłoska rotyczna
- samogłoska rotycznaa type of modified vowel
Cite this entry
R-coloured vowel. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/R-coloured%20vowel
“R-coloured vowel.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/R-coloured%20vowel. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “R-coloured vowel,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/R-coloured%20vowel.
Source: R-coloured vowel on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.