ɔɪ
Diphthong
/ɔɪ/ — Diphthong (choice, boy)
Example words
| Word | US English | UK English |
|---|---|---|
| boy | /ˈbɔɪ/ | /bɔɪ/ |
| voice | /ˈvɔɪs/ | /vɔɪs/ |
| toy | /ˈtɔɪ/ | /tɔɪ/ |
| join | /ˈdʒɔɪn/ | /d͡ʒɔɪn/ |
| point | /ˈpɔɪnt/ | /pɔɪnt/ |
| choice | /ˈtʃɔɪs/ | /tʃɔɪs/ |
| soil | /ˈsɔɪl/ | /sɔɪl/ |
| royal | /ˈɹɔɪəl/ | /ɹɔɪ̯əl/ |
| avoid | /əˈvɔɪd/ | /əvɔɪd/ |
| employ | /ɛmˈplɔɪ/ | /ɛmplɔɪ/ |
Transcriptions come from pronunciation lexicons IPAtics maintains, in US and UK English.
How to produce this sound
SoundDiphthong (choice, boy).
TongueGlide continuously from the first vowel target to the second target with no break.
LipsTransition lip shape continuously across the glide; avoid abrupt snapping.
JawMove jaw smoothly between the two vowel targets without pausing in the middle.
VoiceKeep voicing continuous and even through the segment.
Minimal pairs
Each pair differs only in /ɔɪ/, so hearing them side by side isolates the sound.
- boy/ˈbɔɪ/buy/ˈbaɪ/
- toy/ˈtɔɪ/tie/ˈtaɪ/
Spelling patterns
- oy as in boy
- oi as in voice
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