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Vowel

Long E

The high front tense vowel sound heard in words like "see", "eat", "meet", and "key".

ē
Phonetic System (Merriam-Webster):ē

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Example Words

Main Example

see
Phonetic: si

Common Words

seesi
eatit
meetmit
keyki
hehi
sheʃi
wewi
threeθri
freefri
fieldfild

Minimal Pairs

Listen and compare similar sounds

ē
seat
sit
Compare with
S
sit
sɪt
ē
sheep
ʃip
Compare with
S
ship
ʃɪp
ē
leave
liv
Compare with
L
live
lɪv
ē
beat
bit
Compare with
B
bit
bɪt

Tongue Twister

Three free fleas flee freely. | She sees cheese and green peas easily. | Please feed the eager eagles these eager beavers. | Fifteen eagles agreed to eat each peach. | Three green trees need three key seeds.

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Technical Details

  • CategoryVowel
  • VoicingVoiced
  • Place of ArticulationFront
  • Manner of ArticulationVowel (Close)
  • Mouth PositionTongue is high and forward in the mouth, almost touching the roof near the front teeth ridge. Lips are spread wide, like in a smile. Jaw is relatively closed. The muscles around the lips and cheeks are tense.