IPA Vowel Symbols

Symbol

Sound

The ea in beast in most varieties of

English.

The i in bit in American & most

British dialects

The first vowel in the diphthong face

in American English.

The e in dress in American and

British dialects.

The a in cat in American English.

The sound in the American English

diphthong kite

This is the lax, neutral sound in

American and British comma or
afraid. It is called the Schwa.

The a in father in most American

and British accents. The o in not in
American English

The augh in caught in Standard

British and some American accents.

The u in cut in American English.

The diphthong sound, oa in boat in

American English.

The vowel in foot or could in

American English and Standard British
English.

The oo sound in goose in American

English.

The diphthong sound in loud and

how.