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{{Unreferenced|date=February 2008}}
{{IPA chart vowels}}
A '''close vowel''' is a type of [[vowel]] sound used in many spoken [[language]]s. The defining characteristic of a close vowel is that the tongue is positioned as close as possible to the roof of the mouth without creating a constriction that would be classified as a [[consonant]].
This term is prescribed by the [[International Phonetic Association]]. Close vowels are often referred to as '''high vowels''', as in the Americanist phonetic tradition, because the tongue is positioned high in the mouth during the articulation of a close vowel.
The six close vowels identified within the [[International Phonetic Alphabet]] are:
* [[close front unrounded vowel]] {{IPA|[i]}}
* [[close front rounded vowel]] {{IPA|[y]}}
* [[close central unrounded vowel]] {{IPA|[ɨ]}}
* [[close central rounded vowel]] {{IPA|[ʉ]}}
* [[close back unrounded vowel]] {{IPA|[ɯ]}}
* [[close back rounded vowel]] {{IPA|[u]}}
In the context of the [[phonology]] of any particular language, a ''high vowel'' can be any vowel that is more close than a [[mid vowel]]. That is, [[close-mid vowel]]s, [[near-close vowel]]s, and close vowels can all be considered high vowels.
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Close Vowel}}