Language
English
Unit
Vowels
IPA
/ɔː/
Practice words
5

Sample pronunciation audio — Open the full phoneme overview

Start with one sample audio file for long vowels - /ɔː/.

Quick tip

Long vowels are held longer. Keep your mouth steady as you pronounce them.

Letters and IPA

Letters

aw (saw, UK)

/ɔː/

Practice words

  • saw

  • law

  • walk

  • talk

  • small

Minimal pairs

How to produce this sound

Open your mouth fairly wide, keep your tongue low and back, and round your lips slightly. Make it long.

Common mix-ups

Closest comparison

saw, law, draw, straw, yawn

Hear "saw" pronounced by English natives

Listen to native speakers and see real-world usage on these reference sites. Each link opens in a new tab.

Word of the Day

Today's hand-picked vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation page for English. Bookmark this section — it refreshes every day.

Keep exploring

Play SmartWords games

Six word games built around our real vocabulary — free in the browser, no install.

Open the game hub →
  • Word Sling illustration

    Word Sling

    Match the center word under time pressure and keep the combo alive.

    Play now →
  • Word Gate illustration

    Word Gate

    Fly through the correct gate before the speed ramps up.

    Play now →
  • Word Ninja illustration

    Word Ninja

    Slice the goal-language words, avoid the main-language decoy, and chase the announced bonus target.

    Play now →
  • Word Zip illustration

    Word Zip

    Trace a single path across the board, hit each letter anchor in order, and fill every open cell.

    Play now →
  • Word Oddity illustration

    Word Oddity

    Pick the word that doesn't belong from a topic-driven set — every tap reveals all four meanings and images so the round becomes a flash-card too.

    Play now →
  • Word Memory illustration

    Word Memory

    Flip and match goal-language words to their main-language meaning before your lives run out.

    Play now →