Latin Small Letter Open E

ɛ represents the vowel in “bed,” “pen,” and “head.” Your tongue sits toward the front at mid height, while your lips stay relaxed. It is shorter and more open than the vowel in “bait.”

In IPA phonetics, ɛ lets a pronunciation guide show the sound directly instead of guessing which spelling carries it. English examples include bed, letter, head, measure, and better.

Why is ɛ not ordinary letter e?

ɛ is a pronunciation symbol, not a normal spelling substitute. Use it to describe how a word sounds, especially in IPA transcription or language-learning material.

The shape looks like a modified e because it marks a related front vowel, but e and ɛ sit at different heights on the IPA vowel chart.

How should I type ɛ?

Use the copy palette or a phonetic-symbol input method. Most everyday keyboards do not offer ɛ as a primary key.

When you write a transcription, keep the surrounding notation intact. A missing bracket or slash can make the intended level of pronunciation detail unclear.