Does stew have a long U vowel sound?

No, "stew" does not have a long U vowel sound. It has a short U vowel sound, like the "u" in "cup" or "sun".

Here's why:

* Spelling: The "ew" combination in "stew" typically represents a short U sound, not a long one.

* Pronunciation: The "u" sound in "stew" is short and compact, not drawn out like the "u" in "flute" or "dune".

Therefore, "stew" has a short U vowel sound.