In phonetics, an open vowel is a [[vowel sound]] that is produced with the mouth in an open position, with no constriction or narrowing of the oral cavity. This means that the tongue and other articulators are positioned relatively far apart, allowing for a relatively free flow of air through the vocal tract. Open vowels tend to be pronounced with a relatively low frequency (or pitch) and are often characterized by a more "relaxed" or "natural" sound than more constricted vowels. Some common examples of open vowels in English include the sounds found in words like "ahh", "awe", and "ought".