schwa

noun \ˈshwä\

: 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

Full Definition of SCHWA

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

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

See schwa defined for English-language learners

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German, from Hebrew schĕwā'

First Known Use: 1895

SCHWA Defined for Kids

noun \ˈshwä\

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

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

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