schwa

\ ˈshwä

How to pronounce schwa (audio)

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Definition of schwa

1 : an unstressed mid-central vowel (such as the usual sound of the first and last vowels of the English word America)

2 : the symbol ə used for the schwa sound and less widely for a similarly articulated stressed vowel (as in cut)

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Cite this Entry

“Schwa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schwa. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for schwa

schwa

noun

English Language Learners Definition of schwa

technical

: a vowel that has the sound of the first and last vowels of the English word America

: the symbol ə that is used for the schwa sound

See the full definition for schwa in the English Language Learners Dictionary

schwa

\ ˈshwä

\

Kids Definition of schwa

1 : an unstressed vowel that is the usual sound of the first and last vowels of the English word America

2 : the symbol ə commonly used for a schwa and sometimes also for a similarly pronounced stressed vowel (as in cut)

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