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)
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of schwa
German, from Hebrew schĕwā'
First Known Use: 1895
SCHWA Defined for English Language Learners
schwa
playDefinition of schwa for English Language Learners
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: a vowel that has the sound of the first and last vowels of the English word America
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: the symbol ə that is used for the schwa sound
SCHWA Defined for Kids
schwa
playDefinition of schwa for Students
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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