Hardest word in the english language

Hardest Words: The English language is a funny, complicated and yet useful language that has thousands of words in its kitty. While some are very easy to learn, speak, and write, a few others are mind-numbingly hard to even understand, and don’t even get us started on pronouncing such words. And those words, which are difficult in their very nature, are rarely used by people in general. Such difficult words are only used by academicians and literature graduates.

However, keep in mind that most difficult words have much simpler and simplistic meanings, which when used in your communication can dramatically improve their meaning, tone, and texture. In this particular article on the hardest words to spell, we are going to discuss the following topics that are going to help students, teachers, writers, and general English enthusiasts learn about the hardest words in the English language:

• Why is it necessary to learn hard words in English?
• The hardest words in English to spell
• The hardest words in English to pronounce
• List of 100 hardest words in the English language
• How to teach and learn the hardest words in the English language?
• FAQs on the hardest words in the English language

Improve your English Grammar Faster with English Grammar Notes.

Why Is It Necessary To Learn Hard Words in English?

Below are a few reasons why one should learn about the hardest words in the English language:

• If you want to become a serious writer, it is practically mandatory for you to know about the hard words in the English language.
• Interviews: if you want to impress HR, great vocabulary can take you places.
• Brand communication: branding and marketing are all about communication, and the usage of sensible words can help a brand connect with its target group.
• Corporate environment: whether it’s internal customers or external, the usage of great vocabulary will always create a great impression within the office environment and it can bode well for your image.
• Entrance examinations: Exams like CAT, UPSC CSE, GMAT, XAT, NMAT, or MAT will demand good vocabulary from students to clear them. Knowing such difficult words can help them answer English grammar and comprehension questions correctly and score well.
• Now that we have understood why we should know about the hardest words in the English language, let us understand which words are the hardest words in the English language.

The Hardest Words To Spell in English

Below is a long difficult English word to spell:

1. Vivisepulture
2. Pococurante
3. Acquiesce
4. Demitasse
5. Laodicean
6. Chauffeur
7. Liaison
8. Gobbledegook
9. Euonymus
10. Smaragdine
11. Unconscious
12. Chiaroscurist
13. Pharaoh
14. Eudaemonic
15. Ursprache
16. Idiosyncracies
17. Foreign
18. Neighbour
19. Psoriasis
20. Canonical
21. Xanthosis
22. Equipage
23. Dulcimer
24. Soubrette
25. Maculature
26. Orient
27. Suntech
28. Asterisk
29. Deterioration
30. Wrinkle
31. Library
32. Honest
33. Listen
34. Fuchsia
35. Onomatopoeia
36. Paraphernalia
37. Brocolli
38. Weird
39. misspell
40. Bourgeois
41. Necessary
42. Increase
43. Sandal
44. Island
45. Mischievous
46. Miniscule
47. Pastime
48. Vacuum
49. Kinkajou
50. Releasable
51. Cataclysm
52. Coalescent
53. Archetypes
54. Idealist
55. Primaeval
56. Ozone
57. Exhumation
58. Occipital
59. Longeron
60. Oligopoly

Hardest English Words To Pronounce

Below is a list of the hardest words in English to pronounce:

1. Worcestershire
2. Draught
3. Brewery
4. Derby
5. Phenomenon
6. Droit
7. Detroit
8. Fille
9. Heure
10. February
11. Hour
12. Maintenant
13. Oil
14. Portefeuille
15. Pneus
16. Greenwich
17. Although
18. -Fortunate
19. Quinoa
20. Sixth
21. Anemone
22. Anime
23. Colonel
24. Kernel
25. Asterisk
26. Massachusetts
27. Temperature
28. Onomatopoeia
29. Penguin
30. Two
31. Honest
32. Colonel
33. Irritable
34. Bridge
35. Numb
36. Dumb
37. Columns
38. Isle
39. Design
40. Anchor
41. Ascend
42. Design
43. Psychological
44. Chaos
45. Apostle
46. Apostille
47. Autumn
48. Palm
49. Bridge
50. Budge
51. Swift
52. Seize
53. Pneumoniae
54. Talk
55. Bomb
56. Plumber
57. Clothes
58. Whistle
59. Almond
60. Knee

If you observe, in both the difficult words to pronounce and the difficult to spell in the English language, certain letters are silent, and that is what makes them tricky, especially for beginners and average-level English speakers.

List of 100 Hardest Words in the English Language

Below is a list of the 100 hardest words in the English language:

1. Languid
2. Poise
3. Isle
4. Frolic
5. Disabuse
6. Exponential
7. Iconoclast
8. Ascetic
9. Inert
10. Avalanche
11. Feet
12. Boulevard
13. Mauve
14. Hegemony
15. Disparate
16. Beguile
17. Jolt
18. Abeyance
19. Vilify
20. Fracas
21. Knell
22. Emblem
23. Licence
24. Naturally
25. Shindler
26. Canine
27. Famine
28. Library
29. Fathom
30. Echoes
31. Inching
32. Fawn
33. Often
34. Knowledge
35. Wrinkle
36. Grasp
37. occurred
38. Literally
39. Finally,
40. Laconic
41. February
42. Embarrassed
43. Height
44. business
45. Foreign
46. Beginning
47. Magazine
48. Schedule
49. Arctic
50. Architectural
51. Grammar
52. Consent
53. Define
54. Demonstration
55. Deviate
56. Diminish
57. Integrated
58. Contract
59. Priorities
60. Piece
61. Succedaneum
62. Soubrette
63. Equipage
64. Vignette
65. Hydrophyte
66. Crustaceology
67. Ratoon
68. Detect
69. Thrifty
70. Absurd
71. Accord
72. Shine
73. Impede
74. Rural
75. Misery
76. Urban
77. Eulogy
78. Echoed
79. Wiggle
80. Shaky
81. Buttress
82. Explicit
83. Unique
84. Blown
85. Brown
86. Guile
87. Placate
88. Alias
89. Increase
90. Staid
91. epitome
92. Espresso
93. Fork
94. Follicles
95. Zephyr
96. Nauseous
97. Accommodation
98. Miniscule
99. Onomatopoeia
100. Synchronous

How To Teach and Learn the Hardest Words in the English Language?

The number of ways to improve one’s vocabulary and learn the hardest words in the English language is not limited in any sense. One can follow the below methodologies to learn the hardest words in English:

• Learn and write one new word every day.
• Keep reading editorials of newspapers such as the Hindu New Indian Express or the Live Mint. These newspapers provide quality content with a high vocabulary.
• Read novels written by Nobel laureates and people from different walks of life and geography so that your mental horizon expands.
• Start writing articles and blogs yourself and use the vocabulary that you have learnt in these articles so that you get to practise the same.

The above mentioned are a few of the methodologies that one can adopt to learn the hardest words in the English language. There are other methods as well that people adopt, but one should never memorise these words because memorising them is of no value and you will not learn how, when, where, and how much to use.

FAQs on the Hardest Words in the English Language

The frequently asked question regarding the hardest words in the English Language are given below:

1. Is it necessary to learn hard words in English?
Answer: Yes, learning hard words in English will help you improve your vocabulary and communication skills.

2. How to Learn the Difficult English Words?
Answer: By reading and writing every day, one can improve their vocabulary and learn the hardest words in the English language.

3. Where are hard words in the English language used?
Answer: Hard words in the English language are mostly used in academic papers, literary works, novels, editorials, and columns in newspapers and magazines.

4. What makes a few words hard in English?
Answer: Silent letters, double letters, and long spelling can make a few words hard in the English language.

Conclusion

Most of us opt for an easier way out in life, and that is exactly what we do with English vocabulary also. All the usage of simple words can be made easier. One should start inculcating usage of difficult vocabulary in the English language so that it improves their hold and grasp of the language.

There are thousands of difficult words in the English language and you can’t learn all the difficult words, but knowing a few can help you make a good impression in interviews, essay writing competitions and entrance examinations.

There are so many words with spellings that just don’t appear to make sense in the English language. Many students have many worries when writing an essay or paper with so many hard words to spell. Although we live in an age where autocorrect is the new fad, the importance of spelling correctly can not be denied. It is always hard to spell words that do not appear the way they sound.

To aid school graders, college students, and adults alike, we have some of the hardest words to spell. This list of hard words to spell spans across words that are hard to spell for all categories of students and adults. Are you ready to go through our list of very hard words to spell? Here’s our list of top 100 hardest words to spell. Let’s explore!

Hardest Words To Spell Ever

The English language could be a real pest, even for native speakers. Sometimes, the spelling of some words seems to slip out of our heads the very times we need them, while sometimes, we just don’t know how to spell some words and make funny typos.

There are many hard English words to spell. A word may be difficult to spell for many reasons. It could be because it is from a language very different from the English language, e.g., Afrikaans, Sanskrit, etc., or because the pronunciation is very different from the spelling. A word can also be difficult if it has a silent letter or more or a peculiar double letter. Here’s a list of some super hard word to spell!

1. Abacaxi
2. Abgesang
3. Aitch
4. Autochthonous
5. Chiaroscurist
6. Coelacanth
7. Kierkegaardian

Long Hard Words To Spell

1. Antidisestablishmentarianism
2. Floccinaucinihilipilification
3. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis
4. Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism
5. Psychoneuroendocrinological
6. Hepaticocholangiogastrostomy
7. Spectrophotofluorometrically

Easy Words That Are Hard To Spell

Surprisingly, some of the easiest words to spell in the English language often get misspelled. The words are usually so common and have been used so commonly that it’s unbelievable to know that many can’t spell it correctly – including you! So here’s a list of common words that are hard to spell.

1. Misspell
2. Pharaoh
3. Weird
4. Intelligence
5. Pronunciation
6. Handkerchief
7. Logorrhea

Hard Words To Spell For 6th Graders

If you are looking for a nice spelling challenge for a 6th grader, you’re in the right place. Take a look at these hardest English words to spell for 6th graders.

1. Noticeable
2. Vacuum
3. Recommend
4. Chaos
5. Accommodation
6. Accidentally
7. Strengthen
8. Pneumonia
9. Acknowledgment
10. Occasion
11. Descendant
12. Liaison

Hard Words To Spell For 7th Graders

Looking for a 7th grade selling challenge, here are some really hard words to spell for 7th graders.

1. Association
2. Atmosphere
3. Bicycle
4. Corollary
5. Confetti
6. Defalcation
7. Bizarre
8. Braggadocio
9. Echelon
10. Gelatinous
11. Panache
12. Xylem

Hard Words To Spell For 8th Graders

1. Condescend
2. Discernible
3. Concede
4. Assuage
5. Contemptuous
6. Imprudent
7. Conscience
8. Bazaar
9. Ferocious
10. Pistachio
11. Eloquent
12. Lucrative

Hard Words To Spell For 9th Graders

1. Stretch
2. Substantial
3. Superintendent
4. Pageant
5. Pamphlet
6. Parachute
7. Nuisance
8. Omitted
9. Tyranny
10. Unanimous
11. Vengeance
12. Villain

Hard Words To Spell For 12th Graders

1. Absolution
2. Acerbic
3. Adumbrate
4. Dearth
5. Encumber
6. Expunge
7. Insidious
8. Penurious
9. Resplendent
10. Saccharine
11. Scurrilous

Hard Words To Spell For College Students

1. Arctic
2. Australia
3. Caribbean
4. Euclidean
5. Presbyterian
6. Teutonic
7. Abysmal
8. Boulevard
9. Bouillon
10. Bourgeois

Hard Words To Spell For Adults

1. Acquiesce
2. Andragogy
3. Criterion
4. Holistic
5. Incongruous
6. Juxtaposition
7. Malapropism
8. Obfuscate
9. Onomatopoeia
10. Soliloquy

There are many spelling rules in the English language that often, it’s difficult to remember which applies. Learning how to spell hard words is a bane to students and adults alike. But don’t fret, we have some proven techniques that will make you conquer most words and spell them with ease.

It may be considered rather unfortunate that the old-fashioned rote memorization method remains the best way to learn how to spell the hardest words. However, memorization techniques have gotten better, making the learning process much more bearable.

There are several mnemonic training techniques and methods used by champion spellers worldwide, such as kinetic learning. This learning technique is the association of mental concepts with a series of movements which make learning much fun and retentive than mere repetition. So here are some tips for learning how to spell hard words!

1. Trace the Letters

   With one hand, track the letters on your palm as you pronounce them. This method is an easy way to apply kinetic learning. You use three learning pathways that reinforce the words in the memory. These are:

   • The motion of your mouth and lips
   • The movement of the fingers of one hand moving
   • The feeling of the motion on the other palm

   For a more active learning experience, you can engage the larger body. Also, movement makes more blood flow to the brain, making it more active and receptive.

2. Vocalize the Letters

   Another useful tool is to vocalize the letters of the words as you learn them. Repetition words by vocalization give those words a melodic feel, imprinting them more firmly on your mind, just like nursery rhymes. If used appropriately, this leaning method will help you recall words when other methods fail.

3. Design Short Study Sessions

   Short study sessions are usually more effective for long-term memorization. When you take breaks, the brain can refresh itself and get ready to take a new set of words without becoming overwhelmed.
4. Use Repetitive Drills

   It usually takes more than one repetition to get spelling correct consistently. Repeat the words you want to learn many times until it sinks into your mind and becomes melodic.

5. Group The Words

   This is another effective strategy for learning how to spell hard words. Grouping words imply that you put words that follow the same spelling pattern in a group. For example, words with “-ei-“combinations will follow the same pattern. Learning all similar words at the same time will help you build association and reinforce spellings. This method will help you to categorize words, which makes memorization much more manageable.

6. Read, Read, Read

   One of the best methods to learn how to spell words is to increase your reading. By merely reading and consuming a wide variety of books like wildfire, you’ll become a spelling champion without knowing it. Reading simply makes all the above rules much less confusing. You’ll also be able to build your intuition level and know just when a spelling looks wrong.

7. Have Fun

   Learning becomes easier if you can apply fun to it. Take the words you want to memorize and see how you can weave fun into it!

So here we are! 100 hard words to spell and how to learn to spell hard words. Wishing you luck in your spelling bee and life in general! If you need homework help, just contact our English assignment helpers.

How confident are you of your spelling skills? We asked top academics and writing experts to give us their top 100 hardest words to spell they’ve seen in students’ writing assignments. Spellings is extremely importnant, not less than grammar. This is what they came up with tips and a list of 100 most difficult words.

Tips on How to Spell Hard Words

So by now, you’ve realized that you have made your share of spelling mistakes and are wondering what you need to do to be a better speller. These tips are the same ones we see young students participating in spelling competitions use when they tackle any of several hard English words to spell. Give them all a try to see which tips work best for you:

• Watch what others do.

  The first thing you may want to consider doing is looking at how others utilize different techniques to spell out difficult words. Start with the kids who compete in national spelling bees to get a sense of all the different things they do spell long or rare words correctly.
• Use your palms to spell.

  If you have scratch paper at hand you can always spell out the word as close as you can and then make corrections when you see what you feel can be wrong. Other than this, you can

• Consider the origins.

  The origin of words is a study known as etymology which traces a word’s lineage and existence to the first known use in written form. It is especially helpful to people wanting to learn how to spell words because you can trace root words and syllables.

Hard Words to Spell for 6th Graders

If you want to challenge yourself with very hard words to spell at the sixth-grade level, then this collection might be just what you’re looking for:

• Noticeable (Correct) / Noticable (Incorrect)
• Vacuum (Correct) / Vacume (Incorrect)
• Recommend (Correct) / Recomend (Incorrect)
• Occasion (Correct) / Ocassion (Incorrect)
• Beginning (Correct) / Begginning (Incorrect)
• Government (Correct) / Goverment (Incorrect)
• Committee (Correct) / Comitee (Incorrect)
• Mississippi (Correct) / Missisipi (Incorrect)
• Ancient (Correct) / Ainshent (Incorrect)
• Culture (Correct) / Culcher (Incorrect)

Hard Words to Spell for 7th Graders

In a time when spellcheck comes with every computer writing program, we may lose sight of terms in this list of hard words to spell:

• Chaos (Correct) / Kaos (Incorrect)
• Accommodation (Correct) / Accomodation (Incorrect)
• Strengthen (Correct) / Strengten (Incorrect)
• Misspelled (Correct) / Mispelled (Incorrect)
• Deceive (Correct) / Deseave (Incorrect)
• Receipt (Correct) / Receit (Incorrect)
• Arithmetic (Correct) / Arithmatic (Incorrect)
• Embarrass (Correct) / Embaras (Incorrect)
• Constitution (Correct) / Constatution (Incorrect)
• Encyclopedia (Correct) / Encyclopaedia (Incorrect)

Hard Words to Spell for 8th Graders

Here are hard to spell words spell for middle-school teenagers, particularly those in the 8th grade. Can you spell them without using spell-check?

• Pneumonia (Correct) / Neumonia (Incorrect)
• Acknowledgment (Correct) / Acknoledgement (Incorrect)
• Accidentally (Correct) / Accidentilly (Incorrect)
• Descendant (Correct) / Desendent (Incorrect)
• Exaggerate (Correct) / Exagerate (Incorrect)
• Courageous (Correct) / Corageous (Incorrect)
• Competent (Correct) / Compitent (Incorrect)
• Patriarch (Correct) / Patrearch (Incorrect)
• Pediatrician (Correct) / Pidiatrision (Incorrect)
• Picturesque (Correct) / Picturesche (Incorrect)

Hard Words to Spell for 9th Graders

In your first year of high school, you will likely encounter some of the hardest words to spell ever. Check out this list for 9th grade:

• Cavalcade (Correct) / Cavacade (Incorrect)
• Conscientious (Correct) / Consciescience (Incorrect)
• Fluorescent (Correct) / Florescent (Incorrect)
• Martyr (Correct) / Marter (Incorrect)
• Olfactory (Correct) / Ofactory (Incorrect)
• Facsimile (Correct) / Faximile (Incorrect)
• Gruesome (Correct) / Grewsome (Incorrect)
• Incessant (Correct) / Incessent (Incorrect)
• Reservoir (Correct) / Resavoire (Incorrect)
• Spasmodic (Correct) / Spasmodick (Incorrect)

Hard Words to Spell for 12th Graders

As you advance through educational levels, you will be introduced to more reading assignments and will grow your vocabulary. These are the hardest English words to spell at the 12th-grade level:

• Acquiesce (Correct) / Aquese (Incorrect)
• Ambiguous (Correct) / Ambiguus (Incorrect)
• Stringent (Correct) / Stringint (Incorrect)
• Evanescent (Correct) / Evansent (Incorrect)
• Querulous (Correct) / Quarelous (Incorrect)
• Spontaneity (Correct) / Spontenaity (Incorrect)
• Tenacious (Correct) / Tenashus (Incorrect)
• Divergent (Correct) / Divergeant (Incorrect)
• Resilient (Correct) / Resiliant (Incorrect)
• Renovation (Correct) / Renovashun (Incorrect)

Hard Words to Spell for College Students

Technology has made learning the hardest words to spell a rare activity. This list of 10 terms is considered to be college-level. See if you’re able to spell them without help:

• Pharaoh (Correct) / Farow (Incorrect)
• Intelligence (Correct) / Inteligense (Incorrect)
• Didactic (Correct) / Didachtik (Incorrect)
• Pronunciation (Correct) / Pronounsiation (Incorrect)
• Gobbledegook (Correct) / Gobblydigook (Incorrect)
• Euphemism (Correct) / Yufamism (Incorrect)
• Abrogate (Correct) / Abrohgate (Incorrect)
• Demagogue (Correct) / Demagog (Incorrect)
• Facetious (Correct) / Faseshus (Incorrect)
• Hyperbole (Correct) / Hyperboly (Incorrect)

Common Words that Are Hard to Spell

This list includes common hard words to spell for adults. It’s surprising how so many people struggle but all you have to do is check the web for examples of this happening:

• Thorough (Correct) / Thorogh (Incorrect)
• Rhythm (Correct) / Rythm (Incorrect)
• Peculiar (Correct) / Pechuliar (Incorrect)
• Buffet (Correct) / Bufay (Incorrect)
• Liaison (Correct) / Liason (Incorrect)
• Anecdote (Correct) / Anechdote (Incorrect)
• Anonymous (Correct) / Anonimous (Incorrect)
• Collaborate (Correct) / Colaborate (Incorrect)
• Substantiate (Correct) / Substanchiate (Incorrect)
• Reconciliation (Correct) / Reckonsiliation (Incorrect)

Long Hard Words to Spell

Sometimes multisyllabic words that are hard to spell are difficult because we don’t think about silent letters that may appear anywhere. Check these out below:

• Grammatically (Correct) / Gramatically (Incorrect)
• Magnanimous (Correct) / Magnanimus (Incorrect)
• Metamorphosis (Correct) / Metamofisus (Incorrect)
• Satisfactorily (Correct) / Satisfactory (Incorrect)
• Surveillance (Correct) / Surveylance (Incorrect)
• Unanimous (Correct) / Unianomous (Incorrect)
• Reconciliation (Correct) / Reconsiliation (Incorrect)
• Procrastinate (Correct) / Procrastanate (Incorrect)
• Ostentatious (Correct) / Ostantatious (Incorrect)
• Camaraderie (Correct) / Comraderie (Incorrect)

Super Hard Words to Spell

These are really hard words to spell, even for the best English spellers in the world. As you can see most are words familiar to medical professionals and scientists, so unless you’re familiar with the field you are likely to have trouble with them:

• Syllepsis (Correct) / Sylepsis (Incorrect)
• Antediluvian (Correct) / Antidiluvian (Incorrect)
• Crustaceology (Correct) / Crustaciology (Incorrect)
• Epidemiologist (Correct) / Epidimialogist (Incorrect)
• Ophthalmologist (Correct) / Optamologist (Incorrect)
• Nephrology (Correct) / Nefrology (Incorrect)
• Entomology (Correct) / Entimology (Incorrect)
• Chiaroscurist (Correct) / Chiaraschurist (Incorrect)
• Logorrhea (Correct) / Logoria (Incorrect)
• Sacrilegious (Correct) / Sacriligious (Incorrect)

Easy Words that Are Hard to Spell

Finally, this last set includes hard words to spell that is considered easy. Take your time spelling these out because you may find yourself feeling a bit embarrassed if you make a simple mistake:

• Acquire (Correct) / Akwire (Incorrect)
• Argument (Correct) / Arguement (Incorrect)
• Maintenance (Correct) / Maintanence (Incorrect)
• Gauge (Correct) / Ghage (Incorrect)
• Memento (Correct) / Mamento (Incorrect)
• Occurrence (Correct) / Ocurrance (Incorrect)
• Questionnaire (Correct) / Questionaire (Incorrect)
• Sergeant (Correct) / Sargeant (Incorrect)
• Weather (Correct) / Wheather (Incorrect)
• Awkward (Correct) / Awkwerd (Incorrect)

What did you think of our list? Did you manage to spell the majority of them? As you can see, a lot of the mistakes come from simple mispronunciations of the words or syllables. This, of course, can be fixed with time and patience. We’re always available to assist you, so just get a hold of our customer support team and we’ll provide you with more tips and tricks to improve your spelling skills and get better writing jobs.

One of the biggest challenges facing people who are trying to learn English as a second language is the thought that, there are so many hard English words to pronounce! 

What makes a word hard to pronounce? Often times the
difficult words to pronounce for non-native English speakers are those that are spelled completely different from how they are pronounced.

Not all English words are pronounced phonetically.  When a word is pronounced phonetically, it is pronounced how it is spelled. Take the word “know”, if it was pronounced phonetically, the “k” would be spoken. However, the “k” is not spoken and this makes “know” one of the English
language’s tricky pronunciation words. 

Take a look at the
English vocabulary words below. These are hard words for kids to say, even if they are native English speakers, and that can trip up adults as well. So don’t be ashamed to look them up and practice the correct way to pronounce them.

1. Accede

How is it pronounced?

“ak-SEED”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean? 

To accede means to give your consent or approval to someone else’s actions. It can also mean that you agree with the opinions of a group.

2. Alias

How is it pronounced?

“AY-lee-iss”, emphasis on the first syllable

What does it mean? 

An alias is an assumed name or identity.

3. Anathema

How is it pronounced?

“un-NATH-uh-muh”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean? 

This means that you dislike something or someone intensely

4. Anemone

How is it pronounced?

“uh-NEH-muh-nee”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean?

Properly called a “sea anemone”, this is a marine animal that lives on reefs and ocean floors. It’s a sedentary animal that attaches itself to a particular area and doesn’t move, that many people think looks like a flower.

There is also a type of flowering land plants that are called anemones.

5. Antarctic

How is it pronounced?

“ant-AHRK-tik”

What does it mean?

The Antarctic is simply the South Pole.

6. Brewery

How is it pronounced?

“BROO-uh-ree”, emphasis on the first syllable.

What does it mean?

Why is it that words that have something to do with drinking are such hard words to say when drunk? This three syllable word is used for bars specializing in beer. They often brew their own beers.

7. Camaraderie

How is it pronounced?

“kah-muh-RAH-duh-ree”, emphasis on the third syllable

What does it mean?

This is the feeling of warmth and familiarity you get when around a group of trusted friends.

8. Cavalry

How is it pronounced?

“KAV-uhl-ree”, emphasis on the first syllable. 

What does it mean?

Traditionally, the cavalry were soldiers on horseback. Now, cavalry is usually used to mean someone or something who offers help when you really need it.

9. Choir

How is it pronounced?

“kwah-yuhr”

What does it mean? 

A choir is a group of singers. Traditionally, choirs sang religious songs during church services.

10. Colonel

How is it pronounced? 

“ker-nul”

What does it mean?

A military officer. 

11. Comfortable

How is it pronounced?

“KUHM-fer-tuh-buh”, with emphasis on the first syllable

What does it mean?

If you are comfortable, you are relaxed and at ease. 

12. Defibrillator

How is it pronounced?

“dee-FIB-ruh-ley-ter”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean?

If you watch a lot of medical TV shows, you might have seen this. It’s that device, with two paddles attached to wires that are held to someone’s chest to deliver a shock that is supposed to help restart your heart.

13. Deteriorate

How is it pronounced?

“dih-TEER-ee-uh-reyt”

What does it mean?

When someone deteriorates their condition grows worse. This can also be used to talk about a situation you find yourself in. Basically, things are getting bad.

14. Draught

How is it pronounced? 

“draft”

What does it mean?

An alcoholic beverage, usually traditional kept in a keg. Like draught beer.

15. Epitome

How is it pronounced?

“ih-PIT-uh-mee”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean?

Someone or something that is the perfect example of a quality or of a type.

16. Espouse

How is it pronounced?

“ih-SPOWZ”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean?

When you follow or support a particular idea. Usually you are vocal and proud about your support.

17. Espresso

How is it pronounced?

“eh-SPRES-oh”

What does it mean?

When you order an “espresso” you are asking for a type of strong Italian coffee.

18. Explicit

How is it pronounced?

“ik-SLIS-it”, with emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean?

This is not one of those hard words to say with a lisp, as you are supposed to sound like your lisping slightly. When you are explicit about something, you state it clearly and in complete detail. 

19. Exponentially

How is it pronounced?

“ek-spoh-NEN-shuh-lee”, emphasis on the third syllable

What does it mean?

This is an adverb that means something is increasing rapidly.

20. Ignominious

How is it pronounced? 

“ig-nuh-MIN-ee-uhs”, emphasis on the third syllable

What does it mean?

This is usually used as an adverb to describe and action that is considered disgraceful or dishonorable.

21. Isthmus

How is it pronounced?

“is-muss”

What does it mean?

This is the name of a geographical feature. An isthmus is a narrow piece of land that is located between two different seas.

22. Know

How is it pronounced?

“noh”

What does it mean?

This is a tricky word because it is an example of a word with what we call a silent “k”. To know how to pronounce “know”, you need to know it has a silent k.

23. Knell

How is it pronounced?

“nel”

What does it mean?

The rule about a silent “k” makes for tricky pronunciation words. Here’s another word where the “k” is silent and so is the second “l”. This word is used to refer to the ringing of a bell. Usually, this is a big church bell that makes a slow, loud noise.

24. Library

How is it pronounced?

“LAHY-brer-ee”, emphasis in the first syllable

What does it mean?

This is a building which contains a collection of books and other published materials.

25. Mauve

How is it pronounced?

“mohv”

What does it mean?

Mauve is a color. It is a shade of pale purple.

26. Mischievous

How is it pronounced?

“MISS-chiv-us”, with the emphasis on the first syllable.

What does it mean?

This is an adjective that basically means behaving in a way that causes “trouble”. A mischievous action is not bad or evil. It is usually playful and with no malice behind it. 

27. Nadir

How is it pronounced?

“NAY-deer”, emphasis on the first syllable

What does it mean?

This means reaching the lowest point.

28. Neophyte

How is it pronounced?

“NEE-uh-fahyt”

What does it mean?

This word is used to refer to a beginner, someone who is new to a task, job, or a group.

29. Often

How is it pronounced?

“AW-fuhn”, emphasis in the first syllable

What does it mean?

If you do something “often” you do it a lot or repeatedly.

30. Onamatopeia

How is it pronounced?

“on-o-mot-o-PEE-a”, with the emphasis on the fifth syllable.

What does it mean?

This is a term for a word that refers to a sound. These words actually imitate the sound they are supposed to refer to, such as “roar” or “buzz”. It has six syllables which make it quite
a mouthful to pronounce, even for native speakers of English.

31. Otorhinolaryngologist

How is it pronounced?

“oh-toh-rye-no-lar-ing-GOL-uh-jee”, emphasis on the seventh syllable.

What does it mean?

This nine syllable word is the formal title of a specific type of medical doctor. This is a doctor who specializes in treating eye, nose, and ear conditions. The simpler way to refer to these types of doctors is as an ENT doctors. 

32. Panacea

How is it pronounced?

“pan-uh-SEE-uh”, emphasis on the third syllable

What does it mean?

This refers to a remedy for illness.

33. Phlegmatic

How is it pronounced?

“fleg-MAT-ik”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean?

This is someone who is easy-going. No matter what happens around them they remain calm and collected.

34. Penguin

How is it pronounced?

“peng-gwin”

What does it mean?

A penguin is a type of flightless sea bird. They are typically black and white.

35. Phenomenon

How is it pronounced?

“fi-NOM-uh-non”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean?

A phenomenon is an event that is observable,

36. Puerile

How is it pronounced?

“PYOO-er-il”, emphasis on the first syllable

What does it mean?

When you think something is “purile” you believe it is foolish or childish.

37. Quinoa

How is it pronounced?

Either “KEEN-wah,” “ken-WAG, or “KEN-o-ah”

What does it mean?

Quinoa is an ancient grain that has grown in popularity in the recent decade because of its nutritional values. It’s considered a “superfood” and is actually a Spanish word.

38. Quixotic

How is it pronounced?

“kwik-SOT-ik”

What does it mean?

This is someone who is very idealistic, to the point that their ideas are impractical or unrealistic.

39. Rural

How is it pronounced?

“roor-uhl”

What does it mean?

When you say a place is “rural” you mean that it is located in the countryside.

40. Sanguine

How is it pronounced?

“SANG-gwin”, emphasis on the first syllable

What does it mean?

Someone who is sanguine is cheerful and hopeful, even if they are facing a bad situation.

41. Scissors

How is it pronounced?

“sizzors”

What does it mean?

These are two bladed cutting instruments that you use to cut into thin materials such as paper or cloth. 

42. Sixth

How is it pronounced?

“siksth”

What does it mean?

When you say something is the “sixth”, your saying it is item number six in a sequence.

43. Specific

How is it pronounced?

“spi-SIF-ik”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean?

This means that something is clearly defined.

44. Squirrel

How is it pronounced?

“skwi-rel”

What does it mean?

A squirrel is a bushy tailed rodent that lives in trees.

45. Staid

How is it pronounced?

“steyd”

What does it mean?

Someone who is staid is sedate and calm.

46. Successful

How is it pronounced?

“SUKH-ses-fuhl”, emphasis on the first syllable

What does it mean?

If you are successful in pronouncing this word, then you pronounced it correctly. When you are successful in something, you accomplished your aim or your purpose.

47. Surfeit

How is it pronounced?

“SUR-fit”, emphasis in the first syllable

What does it mean?

A surfeit is an extra amount of something.

48. Temperature

How is it pronounced?

“tem-PER-uh-cher”, emphasis on the second syllable

What does it mean?

This is a scientific measurement meant to gague the degree of heat that is present in an object or a substance. 

49. Truculent

How is it pronounced?

“TRUHK-yeh-luhnt”, emphasis on the first syllable

What does it mean?

Someone who is truculent is quick tempered. They get into arguments or fights easily.

50. Worcestershire

How is it pronounced?

“WOOster-sher”

What does it mean?

A special sauce that originated in Worcester, a town in England. The town name is also pronounced the as “WOOster-sher”.

51. Zephyr

How is it pronounced?

“ZEF-er”, emphasis on the first syllable

What does it mean?

This refers to a breeze that is soft and mild.

Conclusion

If you want to learn how to correctly pronounce tricky vocabulary words, the answer is: Practice, practice, practice.

It’s also a really good idea to get a native language speaker as an English tutor who can listen to you say these words and help you with your pronunciation.  You can also practice using these hard to pronounce words in conversation which will really help you learn them.