B1nounlanguage
US/ˈvaʊ.əl/
UK/ˈvaʊ.əl/
a speech sound made with the mouth open and air flowing freely, or a letter such as a or e
In context
English has more vowel sounds than letters, so spelling can be confusing.
The difference between 'ship' and 'sheep' is just the length of the vowel.
In unstressed syllables, many vowels become a weak sound called schwa.
Words that go with vowel
noun + noun
- vowel soundThe word 'umbrella' begins with a vowel sound.
adjective + noun
- long vowel'Seat' has a long vowel, but 'sit' has a short one.
- short vowelMany learners use a short vowel in 'food' by mistake.
- stressed vowelSay the stressed vowel a little longer and louder.
verb + noun
- begin with a vowelUse 'an' when the next word begins with a vowel sound.