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American English Pronunciation Lovers Community

The /ɜ/ Sound

TongueThe middle part of the tongue lifts towards the roof of the mouth in the middle. The front of the tongue hangs down. But it does not touch anything.
LipsThe corners of the lips come in, pushing the lips away from the face.
Vocal ChordsThe vocal cords vibrate.

Examples of words with the /ɜ/ sound


herder
/ˈhɜrdər/
/ˈhɛr-dər/
Pronounced by Kendra

burpees
/ˈbɜrpɪz/
/ˈbɜrp-ɪz/
Pronounced by Joanna

diversity
/dɪˈvɜrsəti/
/-ˈvɜr--/
Pronounced by Ivy

firm
/fɜrm/
/ˈfɜrm/
Pronounced by Kevin

conserving
/kənˈsɜrvɪŋ/
/kən-ˈsɜr-vɪŋ/
Pronounced by Joanna

courage
/ˈkɜrəʤ/
/ˈkɜr-ɪʤ/
Pronounced by Ivy

dirty
/ˈdɜrtɪ/
/ˈdɜr-/
Pronounced by Kimberly

universe
/ˈjunəˌvɜrs/
Pronounced by Matthew

heard
/hɜrd/
/ˈhɜrd/
Pronounced by Kimberly

usurping
/ˌjuˈsɜrpɪŋ/
Pronounced by Ivy