A vowel is a letter that represents an open sound. When we make a vowel sound, we don’t obstruct the airflow with the lips or tongue. In the English alphabet, there are five vowels and they are: a, e, i, o, and u. At times, ‘y’ also represents a vowel sound. Other than these five letters, all other letters in the alphabet are called consonants. English is an interesting language. Some words are only made up of consonants, some are only made up of vowels , and some are a mixture of both ... Vowel sound words are the heart and soul of our language, giving it the smoothness and clarity we need to communicate effectively. So next time you're chatting with friends or reading a book, take a moment to appreciate those vowel sounds. Learn about the vowels and vowel sounds in English with examples. Get a complete understanding of pure vowels , diphthongs, short and long vowels , and common mistakes made with vowels . Also find out if 'Y' is a vowel and explore words with and without vowels . Learn what vowels are, how to distinguish short and long vowels, and how to use them correctly in English. Find out interesting facts and words about vowels, and test your knowledge with a quiz.