51 Hardest Words to Spell in the English

Do you find English words hard to pronounce? You’re not alone! Words with silent letters or tongue twisters can be really tricky and leave you confused.

But don’t worry—we’ll guide you through some of the most difficult ones so you can pronounce them confidently.

When you mispronounce a word, it can lead to funny or even embarrassing misunderstandings. That’s why most English learners work hard to improve their pronunciation. It helps you speak clearly and sound more like a native speaker.

Even though English is not the hardest language in the world, it has some confusing and difficult words. A big reason for this is that English is made up of words borrowed or inspired by other languages. 

This mixture of different sounds make English pronunciation confusing. However, with some practice and understanding, it gets easier! In this article, we’ll share 51 of the hardest words to pronounce, explain why they’re tricky, where they come from, and how to say them correctly.

What makes English words difficult to pronounce and spell?

English has many words that are tough to pronounce, spell, or even understand. This is because of their complex spellings, unusual letter combinations, or rare usage.

These challenges make English one of the trickiest languages for learners and even native speakers at times.

One major reason English words are difficult is their diverse origins. English borrows words from various languages like Latin, French, and German, blending different spelling rules and sounds.

This mix creates words that don’t follow typical pronunciation or spelling patterns, leaving many learners scratching their heads.

Take, for example, long and complicated words like "antidisestablishmentarianism," "pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism," or "floccinaucinihilipilification."

These words aren’t commonly used in daily conversations, but they highlight the quirks of English. Their length and intricate letter arrangements make them not only hard to pronounce but also difficult to spell correctly.

Even shorter words can be so tricky. Like silent letters, vowel sounds, and words that sound the same but have different meanings or spellings confuse people.

Words like “knight” (with a silent “k”) or “read” (which changes pronunciation based on tense) are perfect examples of why English feels inconsistent.

Look at these 51 hardest words to spell

Take a look at some of the hardest words to pronounce in the English language and you will be reading and speaking those complicated words easily in seconds.

1. Colonel

Origin: This word comes from the French word coronel, which itself derives from the Italian colonnello. The spelling evolved to "colonel," but the pronunciation remained closer to the original French.

Pronunciation: KUR-nuhl

Why It’s Difficult: The mismatch between spelling and pronunciation confuses learners. The silent “l” and unexpected “r” sound make it a common stumbling block.

Example: The colonel gave a powerful speech to his troops before the mission.

2. Worcestershire

Origin: A British county name, it stems from Old English. The name combines "Worcester," a city, with “shire,” meaning county.

Pronunciation: WUSS-ter-sher

Why It’s Difficult: Non-native speakers often pronounce every letter, but British pronunciation tends to drop syllables, making it sound very different from how it looks.

Example: We decided to visit Worcestershire during our trip to England because of its beautiful countryside.

3. Anemone

Origin: From the Greek word anemōnē, meaning "windflower."

Pronunciation: uh-NEM-uh-nee

Why It’s Difficult: The series of vowels and consonants create a rhythm that’s tricky to navigate, especially for those unfamiliar with the word.

Example: The colorful anemone flowers in the garden attracted many bees.

4. Isthmus

Origin: This word comes from the Greek word isthmos, meaning a narrow strip of land.

Pronunciation: IS-muss

Why It’s Difficult: The “th” is silent, and the “s-m” transition can feel unnatural to pronounce quickly.

Example: The Panama Canal was built to cut through the isthmus connecting North and South America.

5. Phenomenon

Origin: From the Greek word phainomenon, meaning "that which appears."

Pronunciation: fuh-NOM-uh-non

Why It’s Difficult: The unusual rhythm and repeated “n” sounds make it a mouthful, especially for those unfamiliar with scientific or philosophical terms.

Example: The northern lights are a natural phenomenon that attracts many visitors to the Arctic.

6. Mischievous

Origin: From Old French meschevous, meaning "prone to mischief."

Pronunciation: MIS-chuh-vuhs

Why It’s Difficult: Many people add an extra syllable, saying “mis-CHEE-vee-us,” which isn’t correct.

Example: The mischievous child kept playing pranks on his classmates.

7. Wednesday

Origin: Named after the Norse god Odin (Woden).

Pronunciation: WENZ-day

Why It’s Difficult: The “d” in the middle isn’t pronounced, and the name doesn’t follow typical spelling rules.

Example: We have a team meeting every Wednesday to discuss progress on our projects.

8. Yacht

Origin: From the Dutch word jacht, meaning "hunt."

Pronunciation: YOT

Why It’s Difficult: The spelling doesn’t match the sound, as it reflects its Dutch origins.

Example: They spent the weekend sailing on their luxurious yacht along the coast.

9. Pseudonym

Origin: From the Greek word pseudonymos, meaning "false name."

Pronunciation: SOO-duh-nim

Why It’s Difficult: The silent “p” and unusual spelling patterns make it challenging for learners.

Example: The author chose a pseudonym to write under a different identity.

10. Defibrillator

Pronunciation: dih-FIB-ree-lay-tor

Origin: From Latin "de-" (away) and "fibra" (fiber), referring to the fibers of the heart muscle.

Why it's difficult: The combination of "def" and "ib" with the long "i" sound, along with the complex syllables, makes it hard to pronounce correctly.

Example: The paramedics used a defibrillator to restore his heartbeat after the cardiac arrest.

11. Ignominious

Pronunciation: ig-noh-MIN-ee-us

Origin: From Latin "ignominia," meaning "disgrace" or "shame."

Why it's difficult: The "gn" in the middle is pronounced like an "n," which is not intuitive for English speakers, and the emphasis on the second syllable can be tricky.

Example: The ignominious defeat left the team embarrassed and defeated.

12. Cliché

Pronunciation: kleh-SHAY

Origin: French, meaning a stereotype or overused phrase.

Why it's difficult: The accent and the "e" at the end can confuse speakers who aren’t familiar with French.

Example: The idea that "time heals all wounds" is a common cliché.

13. Bologna

Pronunciation: buh-LOH-nya

Origin: The word Bologna comes from the Italian city of Bologna. The pronunciation differs from the spelling due to English adapting foreign words.

Why it's difficult: The spelling is misleading, making many people pronounce it as "bo-lo-n-ga."

Example: He added some Bologna to his sandwich for lunch.

14. Asterisk

Pronunciation: ASS-ter-isk

Origin: Derived from the Greek word asteriskos, meaning "little star."

Why it's difficult: The "r" in the middle of the word can confuse speakers, and the “ster” part might sound like “stir,” leading to mispronunciation.

Example: You’ll need to add an asterisk next to any footnote in your article.

15. Epitome

Pronunciation: uh-PIT-uh-mee

Origin: From Greek epitomē, meaning "a summary" or "an abridgment."

Why it's difficult: The "e" at the beginning is pronounced as "i," which breaks typical English phonetics rules. People often mispronounce it as "epitomy."

Example: She was the epitome of grace and elegance at the event.

16. Massachusetts

Pronunciation: mas-chu-SETTS

Origin: From the Massachusett tribe, the word refers to the "large hill" or "place of the great hill."

Why it's difficult: The long and complex sequence of letters, especially the "ch" sound pronounced as "sh," makes it difficult for many to pronounce correctly.

Example: I’m planning a trip to Massachusetts to see the historical landmarks.

17. Subtle

Pronunciation: SUH-tuhl

Origin: Latin subtilis, meaning "fine" or "delicate."

Why it's difficult: The "b" in the middle is silent, which can confuse people, as the "b" often has a strong sound in similar words.

Example: There was a subtle difference in the two paintings that only an expert could spot.

18. Bureaucracy

Pronunciation: byoo-ROK-ruh-see

Origin: From French bureau, meaning "office," and kratos, meaning "rule."

Why it's difficult: With many syllables and a confusing "cracy" ending, this word is tricky to pronounce, especially for people unfamiliar with the French origin.

Example: The new laws have created more bureaucracy in the healthcare system.

19. Faux

Pronunciation: foh

Origin: French, meaning "false" or "imitation."

Why it's difficult: The "x" is silent, which is unusual for English words. Its French origin adds to the confusion for English speakers.

Example: She wore a faux fur coat to the party.

20. Chauffeur

Pronunciation: shoh-FUR

Origin: From French chauffeur, meaning "stoker" or "driver."

Why it's difficult: The "ch" is pronounced "sh," which is uncommon in English, and the "eur" ending is difficult for many non-native speakers to master.

Example: The chauffeur drove us to the airport in a luxury car.

21. Entrepreneur

Pronunciation: ahn-truh-pruh-NUR

Origin: French, meaning "one who undertakes" or "business owner."

Why it's difficult: The multiple syllables, the French influence, and the unusual stress on the middle syllable make it tough for non-native speakers.

Example: She became a successful entrepreneur after starting her own tech company.

22. Archaeology

Pronunciation: ahr-kee-OL-uh-jee

Origin: Greek arkhaios meaning "ancient" and logos meaning "study."

Why it's difficult: The "ch" is pronounced as "k," and the word has a long and unfamiliar sequence of sounds.

Example: Archaeology helps us understand the history of ancient civilizations.

23. Rendezvous

Pronunciation: RAHN-day-voo

Origin: French, meaning "a meeting" or "appointment."

Why it's difficult: The silent "z" and the French pronunciation are very different from the spelling, making it difficult for English speakers.

Example: We agreed to meet at the rendezvous point near the park.

24. Camaraderie

Pronunciation: ka-muh-RAH-duh-ree

Origin: French, meaning "a sense of friendship or togetherness."

Why it's difficult: The word's French origin and the multiple syllables make it difficult to pronounce smoothly for those unfamiliar with French phonetics.

Example: The camaraderie between the teammates was evident throughout the season.

25. Hyperbole

Pronunciation: hi-PUR-boh-lee

Origin: Greek hyperbolē, meaning "exaggeration."

Why it's difficult: The "y" sounds like an "i," and the stress on the second syllable can confuse speakers unfamiliar with the correct pattern.

Example: His hyperbole about running a marathon was quite amusing.

26. Heir

Pronunciation: AIR

Origin: Old French air, meaning "descendant" or "successor."

Why it's difficult: The "h" is silent, which is not intuitive for many learners of English who are accustomed to pronouncing every letter.

Example: He was the heir to a vast fortune after his uncle passed away.

27. Ebullient

Pronunciation: ih-BUL-yuhnt

Origin: Latin ebullire, meaning "to bubble up."

Why it's difficult: The "b" and "u" combination in the middle of the word can confuse people, making it hard to pronounce smoothly.

Example: Her ebullient personality made her the life of every party.

28. Pneumonia

Pronunciation: noo-MOHN-yuh

Origin: From Greek "pneumon," meaning "lung."

Why it's difficult: The "p" is silent, which can make it tricky to know how to begin the word.

Example: He was diagnosed with pneumonia after feeling short of breath for several days.

29. Quinoa

Pronunciation: keen-WAH

Origin: From the Quechua language, spoken by indigenous people in the Andes.

Why it's difficult: The "qu" sounds like "k," and the "oa" is pronounced "wah," which can confuse non-native speakers.

Example: Quinoa is a nutritious grain often used in salads and bowls.

30. Cynic

Pronunciation: SIN-ik

Origin: From Greek "kynikos," meaning "dog-like" or "like a dog," referring to the ancient Greek philosophy of questioning societal norms.

Why it's difficult: The "y" in the middle is pronounced as a short "i," which can confuse speakers.

Example: His cynical view of politics often led him to avoid discussions on the topic.

31. Fuchsia

Pronunciation: FYOO-shuh

Origin: Named after the German botanist Leonhart Fuchs, it refers to a type of flowering plant.

Why it's difficult: The "ch" is pronounced as "sh," and the "s" is silent, which isn’t intuitive for English speakers.

Example: The garden was full of bright fuchsia flowers in bloom.

32. Boulevard

Pronunciation: BOO-luh-vahrd

Origin: From French, originally referring to a street built along a fortified wall.

Why it's difficult: The "ou" sound can be tricky, and the "v" and "d" together may be hard to pronounce.

Example: We took a stroll down the beautiful boulevard on a sunny afternoon.

33. Gnocchi

Pronunciation: NYOH-kee

Origin: From Italian, meaning "small lumps" or "knots," referring to the shape of the dumplings.

Why it's difficult: The "gn" is pronounced as "ny," which is uncommon in English.

Example: We had gnocchi for dinner with a rich tomato sauce.

34. Vicarious

Pronunciation: vi-KAIR-ee-us

Origin: From Latin "vicarius," meaning "substitute" or "replacement."

Why it's difficult: The "vic" part is often mispronounced, and the "c" sounds like an "s."

Example: She lived vicariously through her friend's adventurous travels.

35. Cacophony

Pronunciation: kuh-KAW-fuh-nee

Origin: From Greek "kakophonia," meaning "bad sound" (from "kakos," meaning "bad" and "phone," meaning "voice").

Why it's difficult: The "c" is pronounced as a "k," and the "ph" is pronounced as "f," which makes it difficult for non-native speakers.

Example: The cacophony of car horns in the city center was overwhelming.

36. Often

Pronunciation: AW-fuhn (commonly pronounced without the "t" sound)

Origin: From Old English "oft," meaning "frequently."

Why it's difficult: Some people mistakenly pronounce the "t," though it's typically silent in modern usage, causing confusion.

Example: She often visits her grandmother on weekends.

37. Otorhinolaryngological

Pronunciation: oh-toh-rye-noh-lar-ing-goh-LOJ-ih-kal

Origin: From Greek "otos" (ear), "rhis" (nose), and "larynx" (throat), referring to the study of the ear, nose, and throat.

Why it's difficult: This word is long and has multiple syllables, with the tricky "rh" and "l" sounds that make it hard to say quickly.

Example: The otorhinolaryngological specialist treated her chronic sinus issues.

38. Schadenfreude

Pronunciation: SHAH-dn-froy-duh

Origin: From German, meaning "pleasure derived from another person's misfortune" (from "schaden" meaning damage and "freude" meaning joy).

Why it's difficult: The "sch" is pronounced as "sh," the "a" sounds like "ah," and the "eu" is pronounced like "oy," making it tricky for non-German speakers.

Example: He felt a strange sense of schadenfreude when his rival’s project failed.

39. Mnemonic

Pronunciation: nee-MON-ik

Origin: From Greek "mnemonikos," meaning "of memory."

Why it's difficult: The "m" and "n" are close together, and the "m" is pronounced before the "n," making the word tricky to pronounce for those unfamiliar with it.

Example: She used a mnemonic to remember the list of vocabulary words for the exam.

40. Guetapens

Pronunciation: GET-ah-pahn

Origin: From French, meaning "trap" or "ambush."

Why it's difficult: The silent "t" and the unfamiliar combination of letters in French can be challenging for English speakers.

Example: They fell into the guetapens, not realizing the danger until it was too late.

41. Gesellschaft

Pronunciation: guh-ZEL-shaft

Origin: From German, meaning a society or community based on indirect social relationships, especially modern, impersonal societies.

Why it's difficult: The "ch" is pronounced as "sh," and the "ss" is pronounced as "sh," making the pronunciation unfamiliar for English speakers.

Example: The term "Gesellschaft" describes modern society, where connections are often less personal.

42. Xerxes

Pronunciation: ZURK-seez

Origin: From Old Persian "Khshayarsha," referring to the king of Persia.

Why it's difficult: The "X" is pronounced as "Z," which isn’t typical in English, making it hard for those unfamiliar with Persian names.

Example: King Xerxes led the Persian Empire in the 5th century BCE.

43. Schizophrenia

Pronunciation: skit-soh-FREE-nee-uh

Origin: From Greek "schizo" (split) and "phrenia" (mind), referring to the splitting of the mind.

Why it's difficult: The "sch" is pronounced "sk," and the "ph" is pronounced as "f," which can be confusing for non-native speakers.

Example: Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition that affects how people think and feel.

44. Schlep

Pronunciation: shlep

Origin: From Yiddish "shlepn," meaning "to drag or carry something with effort."

Why it's difficult: The word itself is simple, but the "sh" sound combined with the "e" can confuse those unfamiliar with Yiddish terms.

Example: After a long day at work, she had to schlep all her bags up the stairs.

45. Tmesis

Pronunciation: TMEH-sis

Origin: From Greek "tmesis," meaning "cutting" or "division," referring to the insertion of a word or phrase between parts of another word.

Why it's difficult: The "T" and "m" sounds together can be challenging, and the word's rare usage makes it harder to remember and pronounce.

Example: The poet used tmesis in the phrase "un-freaking-believable" to emphasize the surprise.

46. Pedagogy

Pronunciation: PED-uh-goh-jee

Origin: From Greek "paidagogos," meaning "teacher," derived from "pais" (child) and "agogos" (leader).

Why it's difficult: The "g" and "o" combination in the middle, along with the "y" at the end, can confuse people. It’s also a word that many people are less familiar with.

Example: The professor’s pedagogy emphasized active learning and student engagement.

47. Baccalaureate

Pronunciation: bak-uh-LOOR-ee-uht

Origin: From Latin "baccalaureus," meaning "a student who has received a bachelor's degree."

Why it's difficult: The word is long and has several syllables, making it challenging to pronounce smoothly, especially the "bacc" and "ae" sounds.

Example: She received her baccalaureate in biology after four years of study.

48. Circumlocution

Pronunciation: sur-kum-loh-KYOO-shun

Origin: From Latin "circum" (around) and "locutio" (speech), referring to the use of many words to say something briefly.

Why it's difficult: The long sequence of syllables, with "circum" and "locution," can be a mouthful for many people. Additionally, it’s often used in academic contexts, making it less common in everyday conversation.

Example: The politician’s circumlocution made it difficult to understand his true stance on the issue.

49. Pulchritudinous

Pronunciation: puhl-kri-TOO-di-nuhs

Origin: From Latin "pulchritudo," meaning "beauty."

Why it's difficult: The "ch" sound is pronounced like a "k," and the word is long and unfamiliar, making it tough for non-native speakers.

Example: She was the pulchritudinous star of the movie, captivating the audience with her elegance.

50. Sphygmomanometer

Pronunciation: sfig-moh-mah-NOM-ih-ter

Origin: From Greek "sphygmos" (pulse) and "manometer" (measuring device), referring to a device used to measure blood pressure.

Why it's difficult: The "ph" in "sphygmo" is pronounced like an "f," and the word is long with many syllables, making it very hard to pronounce without practice.

Example: The doctor used a sphygmomanometer to measure my blood pressure during the check-up.

51. Ichthyosaurus

Pronunciation: ik-thee-uh-SOR-uhs

Origin: From Greek "ichthys" (fish) and "sauros" (lizard), referring to a type of prehistoric marine reptile that resembled a fish.

Why it's difficult: The "chth" combination is difficult to pronounce, and the word’s length can make it hard for many to get right.

Example: The ichthyosaurus was a sea creature that lived millions of years ago, swimming alongside other marine reptiles.

Tips on how to spell hard words

Understanding the reasons behind the difficulty and applying the right techniques can make the pronunciation and spellings easier. Here are some tips to help you improve your spelling skills:

1. Understand word origins

Many hard-to-spell words come from other languages like Latin, Greek, and French. Knowing where a word comes from gives you clues about its spelling. 

For example, many Greek-derived words will have letter combinations like "ph" (as in "philosophy") or "ps" (as in "pseudonym"). Learning these origins will help you spot patterns and avoid mistakes.

2. Familiarize yourself with silent letters

English is full of silent letters that make spelling confusing. Words like "comb" and "doubt" feature silent letters that don't sound out, but they’re important for the correct spelling.

When you come across a word with a silent letter, remember it doesn’t always follow phonetic rules.

3. Look for word patterns

English has many spelling patterns that can help you recognize how to spell difficult words.

For example, "ough" can appear in different ways in words like "through," "though," or "bought." Understanding common patterns in words can make spelling more predictable and less intimidating.

4. Group similar words together

When learning hard words, group similar ones together. For example, words that end in "able" or "ible" often have similar patterns that can help you remember how to spell them. 

5. Pay attention to vowel combinations

Vowel combinations, such as "ei" and "ie," are tricky. The rule “I before E, except after C” is a useful guideline, but remember there are exceptions.

Pay attention to how vowels interact in words and practice common vowel combinations to make them easier to recall.

6. Use phonetic clues carefully

Though English is not entirely phonetic, sometimes it can help to sound out words. Break down the sounds and match them with letters.

This approach may not work with every word, but it can help with many tricky spellings. Keep in mind that English has a lot of exceptions to pronunciation rules.

Final words

In this article, we’ve covered some of the hardest words to spell in English. By exploring these tricky words, you can boost your language skills and feel more confident in your communication. Keep practicing and challenging yourself!