Definitions

1. noun

A speech sound that is intermediate between a vowel and a consonant, typically made with the tongue in a position similar to that for a vowel but with the vocal cords involved in the production of the sound, as in the sounds “y” and “w”.

“In phonetics, the sounds /j/ and /w/ are often classified as semivowels.”

2. adjective

Relating to or resembling a vowel.

“In some phonological systems, the semivowel status of a sound is not fixed and can vary depending on the context.”