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ʊ

English spelling of the IPA ʊ sound: Usually oo or ou.
The ʊ sound is like the IPA sound, but shorter.

 

Words with an obvious ʊ sound

book, cook, good, room, foot, look, took, wood, hook, hood, stood
(but not too, cool, food, mood, moon, pool, school, roof, route, root, boot)
could, would, should

 

Words with a surprise ʊ sound

put, pull, push, cushion, full, bull, pudding, pussycat
(but not but, dull, hush, rush, bud, fuss, etc)

 

Compare ʊ and uː

  • cook, cool
  • pull, pool
  • full, fool
  • good, food
  • room, school
  • wooden spoon
  • school route (both long)
  • good cook (both short)
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