Is there any difference in pronunciation of "love" and "laugh" (UK, RP)

Question

today I was wondering whether there is any difference in pronunciation of "love" and "laugh", especially in "Oxford English"/"RP English"? In my opinion it's hard to differentiate between these 2 words, because most people on tv say it in the same way. Something like "laaf" or the mid-sound bait shorter "laf".

When I say it, I use the following: love: it is with a mixture of an "a" and "o" sound laugh: it is with a relatively clear "a" sound

What is right or what is the "Oxford English"/"RP English" way to say "love" and "laugh"?

Answer 1

I think clicking on the website below to listen to the pronunciation, you may tell the difference between them clearer.

Love - verb

Laugh - verb

You may refer to Oxford Dictionary to find more.

Answer 2

The vowel of 'laugh' (/ɑː/) is supposed to be a bit longer and more open than that of 'love' in Oxford English. By 'longer', I mean the duration of the vowel, but vowel length isn't that important. 'Open' means your mouth is more open for articulating this vowel.

The vowel of 'love' /ʌ/ is lax and a tiny bit closer than /ɑ/, meaning your mouth isn't fully open as it is in /ɑ/.

Another distinguishing feature is the terminal consonant: in 'laugh', it's a voiceless consonant—/f/ while in 'love', the final consonant is voiced—/v/.

love: it is with a mixture of an "a" and "o" sound laugh: it is with a relatively clear "a" sound

In Oxford English, both the words have unrounded vowels, meaning your lips aren't rounded while saying those vowels. O is a rounded vowel, so it's not quite right to say 'love' with a rounded vowel.

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^{'Voiced' consonant involves vibration in the throat, while 'voiceless' doesn't.}