Here's why:
* The "e" at the end of the word is silent. This means the vowel sound is determined by the single "e" in the middle of the word.
* Short vowel sounds are typically associated with one-syllable words or words where the vowel is followed by a consonant. In "female," the "e" is followed by the consonant "m."
Therefore, the vowel sound in "female" is a short "e" sound, similar to the "e" in "bed" or "pen."