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Vowel

Short E

The vowel sound heard in words like "bet", "red", and "friend".

e
Phonetic System (Merriam-Webster):e

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Example Words

Main Example

bet
Phonetic: bɛt

Common Words

betbɛt
redrɛd
friendfrɛnd
headhɛd
getgɛt
whenwɛn
saidsɛd
manyˈmɛni
anyˈɛni
bedbɛd

Minimal Pairs

Listen and compare similar sounds

e
bet
bɛt
Compare with
B
bat
bæt
e
pen
pɛn
Compare with
P
pan
pæn
e
met
mɛt
Compare with
M
mat
mæt
e
red
rɛd
Compare with
R
raid
reɪd

Tongue Twister

Ed met his friend Fred at the end of the fence to tend to their pet hens' den. They fed them eggs, bread, and a bit of fresh lettuce, then went to bed.

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Technical Details

  • CategoryVowel
  • VoicingVoiced
  • Place of ArticulationFront
  • Manner of ArticulationMid-Front Lax Vowel
  • Mouth PositionJaw is slightly lowered from a neutral position, less than for Short A (/æ/). Tongue is mid-high and in the front-mid part of the mouth. Lips are neutral or slightly spread.