reduced vowel

English

Noun

reduced vowel (plural reduced vowels)

1. (phonology) a vowel that occurs only, or at least disproportionately often, in unstressed syllables in a given language; usually one that is intermediate in both height and frontness/backness

   The schwa is a typical reduced vowel, though it can also be a full vowel in some languages.

Related terms

• vowel reduction

Translations

Translations

• German: Reduktionsvokal m, Murmelvokal (de) m