‍English is notorious for its unpredictable spelling and pronunciation rules—a patchwork of influences from Latin, French, Old Norse, and other languages. Even native speakers can stumble over certain difficult words to pronounce. While many “hard words” lists mention items such as Worcestershire or colonel, there are numerous really hard words to say that rarely make the cut yet perfectly illustrate the complexity of English phonetics. This article explores a range of these hard English words, discussing why they’re tough—and sometimes feel impossible to say—by examining their linguistic roots, silent letters, awkward consonant clusters, and more. Here's our list of commonly mispronounced words by category:

1. Lingering Effects of Language Mixing

English evolved under heavy influence from Germanic, Norman French, Latin, and Greek—creating a mismatch between spelling conventions and modern pronunciation. This heritage leaves many words that are hard to pronounce because they preserve elements from different eras.

Epitome

Pronunciation: ih-PIT-uh-mee
Phonetics (IPA): /ɪˈpɪt.ə.mi/
Common mispronunciation: eh-pih-TOME
Meaning: A perfect example of something
Why it’s tricky: The ending “-me” is fully pronounced, unlike words such as come or some.

Hyperbole

Pronunciation: hy-PER-buh-lee
Phonetics (IPA): /haɪˈpɝː.bə.li/
Common mispronunciation: hy-per-bowl
Meaning: Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally
Why it’s tricky: Greek-rooted “-bole” clashes with English spelling norms, often prompting newcomers to read it as bowl.

Antithesis

Pronunciation: an-TITH-uh-sis
Phonetics (IPA): /ænˈtɪθ.ə.sɪs/
Common mispronunciation: an-ti-THEE-sis
Meaning: A direct contrast or exact opposite
Why it’s tricky: Greek-derived words often maintain stress patterns unfamiliar to English speakers.

Anathema

Pronunciation: uh-NATH-uh-muh
Phonetics (IPA): /əˈnæθ.ə.mə/
Common mispronunciation: NA-the-ma (incorrect stress)
Meaning: Something or someone intensely disliked or loathed
Why it’s tricky: Stress lands on the second syllable (“NATH”), following its Greek origin.

These examples show how Greek or Latin origins often clash with English spelling rules, creating hard words to say for many learners.

Master Your Pronunciation: Try This Sentence!

You've learned why these words are difficult—now it’s time to test yourself! Click the button inside the box below to start recording your pronunciation. Our AI will analyze your speech and provide instant feedback.

Your sentence to pronounce:
"The epitome of hyperbole, his claim that pineapple on pizza was the antithesis of good taste made him an anathema at the dinner table."

2. Words with Unexpected or Unwritten Sounds

Some English words feature silent letters or archaic spelling from older linguistic stages. This can tempt speakers (native or not) to pronounce letters that shouldn’t be voiced—or to omit letters that are indeed pronounced.
‍

Subtle

Pronunciation: SUH-tl
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈsʌt.əl/
Common mispronunciation: SUB-tl
Meaning: Delicate or understated
Why it’s tricky: The “b” is silent, reflecting archaic spelling.

Phlegm

Pronunciation: flem
Phonetics (IPA): /flɛm/
Common mispronunciation: fuh-leg-um
Meaning: Thick mucus; also calmness (metaphorically)
Why it’s tricky: From Greek phlegma; the “g” is silent.

Wednesday

Pronunciation: WENZ-day
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈwɛnz.deɪ/
Common mispronunciation: WED-nes-day
Meaning: A weekday (midweek in many calendars)
Why it’s tricky: Derived from “Woden’s Day,” compressing the “d+e” in modern speech.

Knell

Pronunciation: nel
Phonetics (IPA): /nɛl/
Common mispronunciation: knel (with a “k”)
Meaning: The toll of a bell, often signaling death
Why it’s tricky: The initial “k” is silent, reflecting older English spellings.

Mischievous

Pronunciation: MISS-chuh-vuhs
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈmɪs.tʃə.vəs/
Common mispronunciation: mis-CHEE-vee-uhs (extra syllable)
Meaning: Playfully naughty or troublesome
Why it’s tricky: The correct form has three syllables, not four.

By learning how older spellings evolved, you’ll understand why certain letters are dropped (or added).

‍

3. Hidden Consonants and Confusing Clusters

Multiple consonants crammed together (e.g., /ksθ/ in “sixth”) require nimble tongue movement. Correctly articulating each consonant without skipping any can be challenging, making them hard English words for learners.

Sixth

Pronunciation: siks-th
Phonetics (IPA): /sɪksθ/
Meaning: Ordinal form of “six”
Why it’s tricky: Quick transitions between /s/, /k/, and /θ/ can trip up even native speakers.

Breadth

Pronunciation: bredth (often reduced to breth)
Phonetics (IPA): /brɛdθ/ or /brɛθ/
Meaning: Width; the measure of how broad something is
Why it’s tricky: The /dθ/ cluster is difficult to articulate without dropping a sound.

Fatuous

Pronunciation: FACH-oo-uss
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈfætʃ.u.əs/
Common mispronunciation: FAT-choo-uss
Meaning: Foolish or inane
Why it’s tricky: “tu” merges into a “ch” (/tʃ/) sound, rather than “too.”

Debauch

Pronunciation: dih-BAWCH
Phonetics (IPA): /dɪˈbɔtʃ/
Common mispronunciation: day-bowch
Meaning: To corrupt morally or lead into immorality
Why it’s tricky: “-bauch” can tempt the wrong vowel sound.

Truculent

Pronunciation: TRUHK-yuh-luhnt
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈtrʌk.jə.lənt/
Meaning: Aggressive or eager to fight
Why it’s tricky: Blending “tru” + “kyuh” often blurs together.
‍

Can You Say This Correctly? Give It a Try!

Difficult words require practice! Click the button inside the box below to start recording your pronunciation. Our AI will analyze your speech and provide instant feedback.

Your sentence to pronounce:
‍"His fatuous argument about the sixth century’s breadth of culture only revealed his truculent nature."

4. Vowel Shifts and Difficult Diphthongs

English has more vowel sounds than letters, and it absorbs words from languages that use different vowel systems. You’ll see vowel clusters that deviate from typical English phonics—leaving you unsure how to say them.

Rural

Pronunciation: ROOR-uhl (AmE) or RUR-uhl (BrE)
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈrʊr.əl/ or /ˈrɝː.əl/
Meaning: Relating to the countryside
Why it’s tricky: Consecutive “r” sounds leave minimal room for a clear vowel.

Choir

Pronunciation: KWIRE
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈkwaɪ.ɚ/
Commonly looks like: cho-EER
Meaning: A group of singers
Why it’s tricky: Derived from Latin chorus → French choeur; spelled “choir” but pronounced /kwaɪ.ɚ/.

Guerre / Guerrilla

Pronunciation:
Guerre (French “war”): often /ɡɛʁ/ in French
Guerrilla: guh-RIL-uh (IPA: /ɡəˈrɪl.ə/) or sometimes geh-REE-yuh
Meaning: Guerrilla denotes irregular warfare tactics
Why it’s tricky: Foreign spelling can throw off English speakers.

Alias

Pronunciation: AY-lee-iss
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈeɪ.li.əs/
Common mispronunciation: ah-LYE-us
Meaning: An assumed name, often used by fugitives
Why it’s tricky: The “a-li-as” structure misleads stress placement.

Camaraderie

Pronunciation: kah-muh-RAH-duh-ree
Phonetics (IPA): /ˌkæm.əˈrɑː.dɚ.i/
Common mispronunciation: kahm-RAH-duh-ree
Meaning: Close friendship or good rapport
Why it’s tricky: Multiple adjacent vowels cause some to skip or blur a syllable.

Mauve

Pronunciation: mohv
Phonetics (IPA): /moʊv/
Common mispronunciation: mawv
Meaning: A pale purple color
Why it’s tricky: Borrowed from French; “au” → /oʊ/ in English.

Quinoa

Pronunciation: KEEN-wah
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈkiːn.wɑː/ or /kɪˈnoʊ.ə/
Common mispronunciation: keen-oh-ah
Meaning: A high-protein seed (Quechua via Spanish)
Why it’s tricky: Spelling doesn’t match standard English phonics.

Put Your Pronunciation to the Test!

Reading is one thing—speaking is another! Click the button inside the box below to start recording your pronunciation. Our AI will analyze your speech and provide instant feedback.

Your sentence to pronounce:
"In a rural village, a choir of guerrillas sang under aliases, bonding over their camaraderie."

5. Archaic and Rarely Used Terms

Some words reflect older linguistic forms or have fallen out of common use. Because speakers rarely encounter them, their pronunciations can be murky or preserve old spelling conventions.

Victuals

Pronunciation: VITT-uhlz
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈvɪt.əlz/
Spelling vs. Pronunciation: VIC-shoo-als vs. VITT-uhlz
Meaning: Food or provisions
Why it’s tricky: From Anglo-French vitailles, preserving archaic spelling.

Chthonic

Pronunciation: THON-ik
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈθɒn.ɪk/ or /ˈθɑː.nɪk/
Meaning: Relating to the underworld (Greek myth)
Why it’s tricky: The “chth” cluster collapses into a simple /θ/.

Maelstrom

Pronunciation: mayl-struhm
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈmeɪl.strəm/
Meaning: A violent whirlpool or chaotic situation
Why it’s tricky: Dutch origin results in an unusual vowel-consonant combination.

Puerile

Pronunciation: PYOO-er-il
Phonetics (IPA): /ˈpjuː.ɚ.ɪl/ or /ˈpjuːr.aɪl/
Meaning: Childish, immature
Why it’s tricky: Retains older vowel structures that can be confusing.

‍

6. Multisyllabic Tongue Twisters

Some words pack many syllables and complex stress patterns. Missing a single stress mark or vowel can lead to a domino effect of mispronunciation.

Onomatopoeia

Pronunciation: on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh (or on-oh-mat-oh-PAY-uh)
Phonetics (IPA): /ˌɒn.əˌmæ.təˈpiː.ə/ or /ˌɑː.nəˌmæt̬.əˈpiː.ə/
Meaning: A word that imitates a sound (e.g., “buzz,” “hiss”)
Why it’s tricky: Five vowels in a row plus shifting stress patterns.

Sesquipedalian

Pronunciation: ses-kwi-puh-DAY-lee-uhn
Phonetics (IPA): /ˌsɛs.kwɪ.pəˈdeɪ.li.ən/
Meaning: Characterized by long words (ironically!)
Why it’s tricky: Multiple Latin morphemes can obscure stress placement.

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Pronunciation: new-moh-no-ul-truh-my-croh-skop-ik-sil-i-koh-vol-kay-no-koh-nee-OH-sis
Phonetics (IPA): /ˌnjuː.moʊ.noʊˌʌl.trə.maɪ.kroʊˌskɑː.pɪkˌsɪl.ɪ.koʊ.vɑːlˌkeɪ.noʊ.koʊ.niˈoʊ.sɪs/
Meaning: A lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust; often cited as the longest English word
Why it’s tricky: An extremely long compound word with many syllables and potential stress points.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Pronunciation: hip-uh-POT-uh-mon-stroh-sess-kwi-PED-uh-lee-oh-FOH-bee-uh
Phonetics (IPA): /ˌhɪp.əˌpɒt.əˌmɒn.stroʊˌsɛs.kwɪˌpɛd.əˌleɪ.əˈfoʊ.bi.ə/
Meaning: A (humorously coined) term describing the fear of long words
Why it’s tricky: Ironically, this extra-long word itself refers to a fear of long words, and its numerous roots—from “hippopotamus” to “monstro” to “sesquipedalian”—combine into a massive, tongue-twisting syllable chain.

‍

7. Dialectal Variations: British vs. American vs. Other Englishes

Different English dialects shape pronunciation—what’s standard for a British speaker might sound off to an American speaker, and vice versa. This can further complicate already hard to say words.

Aluminium / Aluminum

British: al-yoo-MIN-ee-um (/ˌæl.jəˈmɪn.i.əm/)
American: uh-LOO-min-um (/əˈluː.mə.nəm/)
Meaning: A chemical element (metal)
Why it’s tricky: Spelling, syllable count, and stress differ by dialect.

Schedule

British: SHED-yool (/ˈʃɛd.juːl/)
American: SKED-jool (/ˈskɛdʒ.uːl/)
Meaning: A plan or timetable
Why it’s tricky: The initial “sch” transforms across the Atlantic.

Advertisement

British: ad-VER-tiss-ment or ad-ver-TIES-ment (IPA: /ədˈvɜː.tɪs.mənt/ or /ˌæd.vəˈtaɪz.mənt/)
American: ad-ver-TIZE-ment (IPA: /ədˈvɝː.taɪz.mənt/ or /ˌæd.vɚˈtaɪz.mənt/)
Meaning: A public notice promoting a product or service
Why it’s tricky: Stress shifts between syllables in different dialects.

Vitamin

British: VIT-uh-min (/ˈvɪt.ə.mɪn/)
American: VY-tuh-min (/ˈvaɪ.t̬ə.mɪn/)
Meaning: Organic substances needed in small amounts for health and growth
Why it’s tricky: The vowel in the first syllable differs significantly (short “i” vs. long “i”).

Leisure

British: LEH-zhuh (/ˈlɛʒ.ər/)
American: LEE-zher (/ˈliː.ʒɚ/)
Meaning: Free time when one is not working
Why it’s tricky: The vowel and consonant sounds vary between dialects.

Data

British: DAY-tuh (/ˈdeɪ.tə/)
American: DAH-tuh, sometimes DAY-tuh (/ˈdæ.tə/ or /ˈdeɪ.t̬ə/)
Meaning: Facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis
Why it’s tricky: Speakers often disagree on whether the “a” is the same as in “cat” or in “day.

Recognizing that multiple “correct” pronunciations exist can reduce frustration when learning hard words.

‍

8. How to Master Words That Are Hard to Pronounce

‍

1. Break Words into Syllables

Consult dictionaries or phonetic guides showing International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols. Identifying stressed syllables and vowel/consonant patterns helps clarify confusing spellings.

2. Listen and Repeat

Use reputable audio (Merriam-Webster, Cambridge, Forvo) to hear correct pronunciations. Then record yourself and compare.

3. Leverage Pronunciation Apps

Apps such as Pronounce or integrated language-learning platforms often include real-time feedback on your pronunciation. These tools use speech recognition technology to highlight specific sounds or syllables that need improvement.

4. Focus on Consonant Clusters

Practice tricky bits (e.g., /ksθ/ in “sixth”) separately. Once you master the cluster in isolation, try inserting it into words and sentences.

5. Study Silent Letters

Leading “k,” “w,” or “b” often remain silent (knock, write, doubt). Recognizing recurring patterns helps you avoid pronouncing unnecessary letters.

6. Check Etymology

Learning a word’s origin (Greek, French, Latin, etc.) can clarify unexpected letters or unusual stress placements.

7. Embrace Dialectal Differences

“Aluminum” vs. “aluminium” each belong to different dialects. Consistency in one dialect is typically all that’s required.

8. Slow Down

Give yourself room to articulate each sound clearly. With practice, you can gradually speed up while maintaining correct pronunciation.

Final Thoughts

Even native speakers regularly trip over hard words to say in English. The key lies in understanding why these words are hard to pronounce—silent letters, mismatched spelling, tricky stress, or foreign derivations. By breaking words down into syllables, studying etymology, and steadily practicing clusters, you can master even the most difficult words to pronounce. So don’t be discouraged: every challenging word tackled is a step closer to clear, confident English speech.