A vocal sound made without the audible stopping of breath is called, by definition, which of the following?

• A. Vowel
• B. Consonant
• C. Diphthong
• D. Glottal stop

Answer: (A)

Vowels are produced with an open vocal tract and continuous air flow, typically voiced, so there’s no audible stopping of breath. That open, uninterrupted airflow is what defines a vowel, making it the best fit for the description.

A consonant involves some obstruction or closure in the vocal tract, which can create stops or bursts of air—unlike the scenario described. A glottal stop is a specific type of consonant that actually involves a momentary stop of air at the glottis. A diphthong is still a vowel sound, but it’s a vowel that glides from one quality to another; it doesn’t introduce a breath stoppage either, so the broader category here is the most accurate answer.