46 hardest words to pronounce in English (and how to say them)

English can be a tricky language. Just when you think you’ve mastered the rules, along comes a word like "colonel" or "anemone" to shake your confidence. Whether you’re a native speaker or learning English as a second (or third!) language, certain words are just plain hard to pronounce.

We’ve rounded up 47 of the toughest, tongue-twisting, stumble-inducing English words and broken them down by what makes them so tough. Plus, we’ll give you practical tips to pronounce them like a pro.

Why are some words so hard to pronounce?

A few common culprits:

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• Unusual letter combinations: English has plenty of exceptions to its own rules.

• Silent letters: Think "knight" or "debt."

• Borrowed words: Words from other languages (hello, "hors d’oeuvres") keep their original flair.

• Stress and rhythm: Shifting syllable stress can throw you off.

46 hard-to-pronounce English words

Each of these words trips up even fluent speakers. Here they are, with phonetic guides, definitions, and what makes them tough.

Silent letters and unusual spellings

1. Colonel (/KUR-nuhl/) – A military rank. That "l"? Not pronounced.

2. Wednesday (/WENZ-day/) – The middle of the workweek. Say goodbye to the middle syllables.

3. Debt (/DET/) – Money owed. The "b" is silent.

4. Island (/EYE-land/) – Land surrounded by water. The "s" is just... decorative?

5. Bologna (/buh-LOH-nee/) – A type of sausage. Looks Italian, sounds American.

6. Salmon (/SAM-uhn/) – A type of fish. No "l" in sight.

7. Subtle (/SUH-tl/) – Delicate or understated. Skip the "b."

8. Aisle (/EYE-uhl/) – A walkway, often in stores or theaters. Silent "s."

9. Knives (/nyevz/) – Plural of knife. That "k" isn’t fooling anyone.

10. Psychiatrist (/sigh-KAI-uh-trist/) – A mental health professional. Tough combo of syllables.

Tongue twisters

1. Anemone (/uh-NEM-uh-nee/) – A sea creature. Tricky to say fast.

2. Worcestershire (/WUSS-ter-sheer/) – A county in England (and a sauce). Pronunciation nightmare.

3. Rural (/ROO-ruhl/) – Countryside areas. Say it slowly.

4. Mischievous (/MIS-chuh-vuhs/) – Playfully naughty. It’s three syllables, not four.

5. Squirrel (/SKWIR-uhl/) – A small tree-dwelling rodent. Hard for non-native speakers.

6. Sixth (/SIKSTH/) – Comes after fifth. That extra consonant is a doozy.

7. Isthmus (/IS-muhs/) – A narrow strip of land connecting two larger areas. That "thm" is rare.

8. Phenomenon (/fi-NOM-uh-non/) – An unusual or remarkable event. Too many syllables.

9. Cinnamon (/SIN-uh-muhn/) – A sweet spice. Sweet, but tricky.

10. Specific (/spuh-SIF-ik/) – Clearly defined. Often confused as "pacific."

Words that sound unlike their spelling

1. Quinoa (/KEEN-wah/) – A grain from Peru. Thanks, Peru!

2. Zebra (/ZEE-bruh/ or /ZEB-ruh/) – A striped animal. UK vs. US.

3. Cache (/KASH/) – A hidden storage place. It’s not "cash-ay."

4. Gesture (/JES-chur/) – A motion that expresses an idea. The "g" softens.

5. Victuals (/VIT-uhlz/) – Food. Spelled like a puzzle.

6. Sword (/SORD/) – A weapon with a blade. Skip the "w."

7. Gauge (/GAYJ/) – To measure or estimate. Why does this look like "gouge?"

8. Cupboard (/KUB-erd/) – A cabinet. Two words, one sound.

9. Lingerie (/LAHN-zhuh-ray/) – Women’s undergarments. French roots, fancy sounds.

10. Entrepreneur (/ahn-truh-pruh-NUR/) – Someone who starts a business. Master the rhythm.

Words with shifting stress or unclear vowels

1. Banana (/buh-NA-nuh/) – A yellow fruit. Emphasis matters.

2. Caramel (/KAR-uh-mel/ or /KAR-muhl/) – A sugary treat. Pick your region.

3. Advertisement (/ad-VER-tis-ment/ or /AD-ver-tiz-ment/) – A commercial.

4. Adult (/uh-DULT/ or /AD-ult/) – A grown person.

5. Envelope (/ON-vuh-lope/ or /EN-vuh-lope/) – Paper covering for letters.

6. Route (/ROOT/ or /ROWT/) – A path or direction.

7. Data (/DAY-tuh/ or /DA-tuh/) – Facts or information.

8. Coupon (/KOO-pon/ or /KYOO-pon/) – A discount voucher.

9. Pecan (/puh-KAHN/, /PEE-kan/, or /puh-KAN/) – A type of nut.

10. Often (/OFF-en/ or /OFF-tun/) – Frequently. The "t" is often silent.

Just plain strange

1. Schadenfreude (/SHAH-den-froy-duh/) – Pleasure at another's misfortune.

2. Onomatopoeia (/on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh/) – A word that imitates a sound.

3. Bureaucracy (/byur-RAH-kruh-see/) – Complex administrative system.

4. Segue (/SEG-way/) – A smooth transition. Not to be confused with the scooter.

5. Zoology (/zoh-AH-luh-jee/) – Study of animals. Not "zoo-ology."

6. Hyperbole (/hy-PER-buh-lee/) – Exaggerated statements. Not "hyper-bowl."

Tips for mastering tricky words

• Listen often: Watch shows, listen to audiobooks, or use language apps to hear words in context.

• Break it down: Sound out each syllable. Clap it out if you need to.

• Practice aloud: Mirror pronunciation with a language buddy or practice on your own.

• Record yourself: It helps catch mistakes.

• Learn meanings: Understanding a word’s definition can make it easier to remember and pronounce.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.