Is there a difference in pronunciation between “steal” and “steel”? [closed]

Question

I'm learning English and recently I have found that there is a difference in pronunciation between such words as: hit and heat, sit and seat.

I want to know if there is a similar difference in pronunciation between steal and steel (and perhaps still), peak and peek.

Consult any English dictionary. They all have pronunciation guides which can answer this for you.
I wouldn't be surprised to learn there are dialects where "steel" and "still" are homophones, but I'd be quite taken aback to hear of one where "steel" and "steal" aren't.
@JSBangs: I think you elevate "any English dictionary" beyond what they are capable of. Regional variations in pronunciation do exist, and no dictionary can hope to include them all.
I am not sure that reporting the pronunciation of different dialects to who is learning English would be helpful; it is probable it would confuse the OP even more.

FossilizedCarlos · Accepted Answer · 2011-07-28 20:47:24Z

up vote 1 down vote accepted

"Steal" and "steel" would sound the same, but "still" sounds different due to having the single i.

answered Jul 28 '11 at 20:47

FossilizedCarlos
26417

	Thanks, In my native language almost all words that are spelled differently will also have different pronunciation – username Jul 28 '11 at 21:10
	@username: what is your native language, out of interest, that has so few homophones? – PLL Jul 28 '11 at 21:13
	My native language is Ukrainian. I also speak Russian, but in Russian there is a little more homophones due to the common accent that changes some vowels – username Jul 28 '11 at 21:17

closed as general reference by JSBձոգչ, z7sg Ѫ, Jasper Loy, Thursagen, Mehper C. Palavuzlar Jul 28 '11 at 21:45