What is a vowel?

A vowel is:

1. a speech sound that is made with the breath channel or vocal tract open, or without any audible friction.

2. a letter of the alphabet that represents any of these speech sounds.

Vowel letters

Aa   Ee   Ii   Oo   Uu

The letter Y is traditionally counted as a consonant, but can be classed as both a consonant and a vowel.

For example:

In 'hymn' the letter Y is a vowel sound with the breath channel open.

In 'yellow' the letter Y is a consonant sound with the flow of air stopped in the mouth.

Image © K Sandberg