A monophthong is a single vowel sound that is pronounced with no change in tongue position throughout its duration. There are several synonyms for this term, including pure vowel, simple vowel, unchanging vowel, or steady vowel. Monophthongs are contrasted with diphthongs, which involve a shifting of tongue position as the sound is pronounced. Examples of monophthongs in English include the sounds in the words "hit," "bed," and "not." In contrast, diphthongs can be heard in words like "ride," "boy," and "loud." Understanding the distinction between monophthongs and diphthongs is an important aspect of mastering English pronunciation.