In phonetics, a close vowel is a [[vowel sound]] in which the tongue is positioned close to the roof of the mouth, creating a small oral cavity. Close vowels are typically pronounced with a high frequency of sound waves and a relatively small amplitude. Examples of close vowels in English include /i/ as in "bee," /u/ as in "blue," and /ɪ/ as in "bit." A close vowel is often contrasted with an [[open vowel]], which is pronounced with a lower tongue position and a larger oral cavity.