IPA phonetic symbol 〚e〛

The IPA phonetic symbol [e] represents a close-mid front unrounded vowel, similar to the beginning of the diphthong /eɪ/ (as in face) in an American accent. It is also the "é" sound in French, as in beauté (beauty), the "E" sound in German Esel [ˈeːzl̩] (donkey), and the "e" sound in Spanish mesa (table).

For historical reasons in a broad notation the IPA symbol /e/ is used to represent the sound of the vowel in dress which is IPA phonetic symbol [ɛ]. However, there is no risk of confusion: if a broad notation for English has the symbol /e/ followed by anything different of /ɪ/, then [ɛ] should be understood. In this way, /feɪs/ is [feɪs], /dres/ is [drɛs] and /skweər/ is [skwɛər].

See also IPA phonetic symbol [ɛ].