\ ˈshwä
\
\
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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The Schwa
The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.
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Cite this Entry
“Schwa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schwa. Accessed 18 May. 2022.
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More Definitions for schwa
schwa
noun
\ 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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Time Traveler for schwa
The first known use of schwa was in 1895
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