English is a fascinating language, full of charm and character—but let’s face it, its pronunciation can sometimes feel like an unsolvable puzzle.
Even native speakers occasionally falter, so it’s no wonder non-native speakers find themselves tongue-tied.
The good news? You’re not alone in this journey! Whether you’re refining your pronunciation for work , study, or simply for fun, tackling those tricky words can be incredibly rewarding.
This guide is here to help, presenting 50 frequently mispronounced English words with their proper International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions in the General American accent and detailed explanations to give you the confidence to speak like a pro.
Let’s dive into the wonderful world of American English pronunciation and conquer these common challenges together!
1. Colonel Correct Pronunciation: /ˈkɜːr.nəl/
"r" sound introduced in the middle of the word.
This unique pronunciation reflects its French origins and the historical use of "coronel" in Middle English.
2. Hyperbole Correct Pronunciation: /haɪˈpɜːr.bə.li/
Stress the second syllable and elongate the final "e."
This word, borrowed from Greek, means exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. It’s commonly used in literature and rhetoric.
3. Salmon Correct Pronunciation: /ˈsæm.ən/
This quirk arises from the Latin origin "salmo," where the "l" sound was silent.
4. Mischievous Correct Pronunciation: /ˈmɪs.tʃə.vəs/
This word describes playful misbehavior and often appears in stories involving clever trickery.
5. Cache Correct Pronunciation: /kæʃ/
The word originates from French, where it means "a hiding place."
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6. Barometer Correct Pronunciation: /bəˈrɑː.mə.tər/
A barometer measures atmospheric pressure and is an essential tool for weather prediction.
7. Queue Correct Pronunciation: /kjuː/
It originated from French, referring to a tail-like formation.
Watch as BoldVoice Coach Eliza explains the proper pronunciation of the word "queue" in this focus word video:
VIDEO
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8. Nuclear Correct Pronunciation: /ˈnuː.kli.ər/
This word is frequently used in scientific and political discussions about energy and weapons.
9. Chaos Correct Pronunciation: /ˈkeɪ.ɒs/
Derived from the Greek "khaos," it originally referred to a gaping void.
10. Synonymous Correct Pronunciation: /sɪˈnɒn.ɪ.məs/
It describes words with the same or nearly the same meaning, commonly encountered in vocabulary and synonym studies.
11. Gist Correct Pronunciation: /dʒɪst/
fricative "g" sound, as in "giraffe." It refers to the main point or essence of something.
This word has legal origins, often used in contexts involving the main basis of an argument.
12. Bury Correct Pronunciation: /ˈbɛr.i/
Sounds like "berry," not "bury." This word often means to cover something with earth, typically in the context of funerals or concealment.
13. Açaí Correct Pronunciation: /ˈaː.saɪ/
This tropical fruit is known for its health benefits, often found in smoothie bowls and health drinks.
14. Suspicious Correct Pronunciation: /səˈspɪʃ.əs/
consonant sound in the "-icious" ending. The proper pronunciation uses the /ʃ/ fricative sound , as in the word "ship."
Take a look at BoldVoice Coach Ron demonstrating this /ʃ/ sound:
VIDEO
"Suspicious" describes someone who is distrustful or doubtful. Often used in contexts involving mystery or uncertainty.
15. Gyro Correct Pronunciation: /ˈjiː.roʊ/
"y" sound at the beginning. It refers to a popular Greek dish made of meat, often served with pita bread.
16. Philanthropy Correct Pronunciation: /fɪˈlæn.θrə.pi/
emphasis falls on the second syllable . It refers to charitable acts or donations, often associated with individuals or organizations aiming to promote welfare.
17. Syllable Correct Pronunciation: /ˈsɪl.ə.bəl/
the schwa sound by native English speakers.
Here's a clip of BoldVoice Coach Ron demonstrating the schwa sound:
VIDEO
A syllable is a unit of pronunciation containing a vowel sound. It’s fundamental in the study of phonetics and linguistics.
18. Zucchini Correct Pronunciation: /zuˈkiː.ni/
This green vegetable is also known as a courgette in some countries, commonly used in culinary dishes.
19. Chalet Correct Pronunciation: /ʃæˈleɪ/
This word often describes a wooden house or cottage, typically found in mountainous regions.
20. Cupboard Correct Pronunciation: /ˈkʌb.ɚd/
A cupboard is a storage unit typically found in kitchens or bedrooms.
21. Pneumonia Correct Pronunciation: /njuːˈməʊ.ni.ə/
This word refers to a lung infection, often associated with symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing.
22. Depot Correct Pronunciation: /ˈdiː.poʊ/
It often refers to a storage or transportation hub, frequently used in logistics and supply chain contexts.
23. Iron Correct Pronunciation: /ˈaɪ.ərn/
American English compresses this into two syllables: "eye-urn."
It’s a common metal as well as a household appliance used to press clothes.
24. Prestigious Correct Pronunciation: /prəˈstɪdʒ.əs/
vowel elongation is a common mistake among English learners.
This word is an adjective which describes something inspiring respect or admiration, often used in academic or professional settings.
25. Quinoa Correct Pronunciation: /ˈkiːn.wɑː/
It’s a popular grain substitute known for its nutritional value.
26. Charcuterie Correct Pronunciation: /ʃɑːrˈkuː.tə.ri/
French , this term refers to a selection of cured meats, often served as part of a platter. Its appeal has grown worldwide, often featured at gatherings and events.
27. Worcestershire Correct Pronunciation: /ˈwʊs.tər.ʃər/
British term , often incorrectly pronounced as "Wooster-shire."
It refers to a county as well as a famous sauce used for seasoning dishes worldwide.
28. Yolk Correct Pronunciation: /joʊk/
It refers to the yellow part of an egg, rich in nutrients and used in many recipes.
29. Segue Correct Pronunciation: /ˈsɛɡ.weɪ/
30. Pronunciation Correct Pronunciation: /prəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/
Ironically, the word "pronunciation" often mispronounced, making it a common example of linguistic irony.
31. February Correct Pronunciation: /ˈfɛb.ruː.ɛr.i/
the "r" sound after the "b." This word often trips speakers up due to its complex spelling .
Follow along as BoldVoice Coach Eliza walks you through how to pronounce "February" the right way:
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32. Espresso Correct Pronunciation: /esˈpres.oʊ/
Espresso forms the base for many tasty coffee drinks.
33. Et Cetera Correct Pronunciation: /ɛt ˈsɛt.ə.rə/
It’s a Latin term meaning "and so forth."
34. Jewelry Correct Pronunciation: /ˈdʒuː.əl.ri/
This word refers to decorative items made from precious metals and stones.
35. Almond Correct Pronunciation: /ˈɑːl.mənd/
Unlike British English , where the "l" is typically silent, English speakers in the United States typically pronounce the "l" sound in this word.
Almonds are widely used in cooking and as a source of healthy fats.
36. Envelope Correct Pronunciation: /ˈɒn.və.loʊp/ or /ˈɛn.və.loʊp/
37. Tomb Correct Pronunciation: /tuːm/
It describes a burial chamber or grave, often seen in historical contexts.
38. Often Correct Pronunciation: /ˈɒf.tən/ or /ˈɒf.ən/
It’s used to describe frequent occurrences.
39. Height Correct Pronunciation: /haɪt/
plosive "t" sound, not a fricative "th" sound .
It refers to the measurement of how tall something is.
40. Arctic Correct Pronunciation: /ˈɑːrk.tɪk/
This word refers to the northernmost region of the Earth.
41. Library Correct Pronunciation: /ˈlaɪ.brər.i/
A library is a place for reading and borrowing books.
42. Comfortable Correct Pronunciation: /ˈkʌmf.tə.bəl/
Watch as BoldVoice Coach Eliza explains in detail how to pronounce "comfortable" as an English learner:
VIDEO
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43. Entrepreneur Correct Pronunciation: /ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜːr/
The correct pronunciation places emphasis on the last syllable, with a soft "pruh" in the middle. It refers to a person who organizes and operates a business, taking on financial risks to do so.
44. Cachet Correct Pronunciation: /kæˈʃeɪ/
45. Façade Correct Pronunciation: /fəˈsɑːd/
"s" sound , and the "e" is silent. It refers to the outward appearance of something, especially buildings.
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46. Genre Correct Pronunciation: /ˈʒɒn.rə/
It’s used to describe categories of art, music, or literature.
47. Rendezvous Correct Pronunciation: /ˈrɒn.deɪ.vuː/
used romantically or for secretive meetings.
48. Coup Correct Pronunciation: /kuː/
49. Debris Correct Pronunciation: /dəˈbriː/
50. Especially Correct Pronunciation: /ɪˈspɛʃ.əli/
It’s used to emphasize something specific.
Boost Your English Language Skills with BoldVoice Mastering English pronunciation is a rewarding journey that opens doors to clearer communication, boosted confidence, and stronger connections in both personal and professional settings.
By understanding and practicing the correct pronunciation of these commonly mispronounced words, you're taking a significant step toward achieving fluency and sounding more like a native speaker.
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