Top 7 Most Difficult Words In English | Blog (2024)

Top 7 Most Difficult Words In English | Blog (1)

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When speaking English you sometimes come across some words that make you think if you are actually pronouncing them correctly. Well, there are certainly a couple of words that pop up into my head right now. If you cannot think of any at the moment, here are a few words that arelikely to have interrupted you in a conversation in the past. Which one of them is your favourite most difficult English word to pronounce?

7. Rural

This word could arguably be further down the list, but I wanted to give you a start with a word that makes everyone stop and say the word over and over again. Somehow you also always have the urge to show that you are convinced you are able to pronounce it. I don’t know why. Well, of course, you then you have to prove it, no question.

6. Sixth

In sixth, is the word “sixth.” Written it never seems as such a difficult word, but when your mouth gets to the word “sixth” your tongue just naturally refuses to perfectly pronounce this word. But don’t worry, nobody’s perfect.

5. Sesquipedalian

Originating from 17th century Latin and originally meaning ‘a foot and a half long’, this word literally stands for ‘long-winded’ words, such as Sesquipedalian. And one would think it would mean something really mysterious and fascinating. But no, just ‘long.’

4. Phenomenon

Some words are just a phenomenon when it comes to reading and writing. You get so tangled up with letters that you have to start over and say it again very slowly to not get confused. Phenonmenon is one of them. No, wait, ‘P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-O-N’. There we go!

3. Onomatopoeia

Referring to words that are similar to sounds or noises, these words are often used for “boom” or “buzz.” Although the imitated words are usually very short, the word onomatopoeia is weirdly long and difficult to pronounce. Just looking at the word makes me stutter. But just like everything else, practice makes perfect.

2. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

For every Mary Poppins fan this word is easier to pronounce than the word ‘pronounce’ itself,especially with a lot more wit. The easiest way to practice this word is either by singing or by breaking it up into small parts. You will see, after a bit of practice you will be able to express something ‘extraordinarily good’ in a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious manner. Another reason to watch Mary Poppins again!

1. Worcestershire

Without any doubt this is one of the most tongue twisting single words out there. It will make you feel small and untalented, or it will make you laugh until you cry, one of them. Historically being a county of west central England, it is also a unique sauce for food and drink (yes, also drinks), sometimes also called ‘Worcester sauce’.

To give you a little hint on how to pronounce it, the first ‘R’ in the word is silent. It is still a difficult word, but if you are having difficulties with this one, you are definitely not alone, I am certain of that.

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Top 7 Most Difficult Words In English | Blog (2)

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

Top 7 Most Difficult Words In English | Blog (2024)

FAQs

What are the 25 difficult words with meaning? ›

List of 50 difficult words in English (and synonyms or meaning)
Difficult word in EnglishSynonym or Meaning
IndefatigableShowing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality
InundateFlooded
InvectiveAbusive language
JackasseriesThe actions of a jackass
46 more rows

What is the most difficult word of English? ›

7 most difficult English words that will let you forget what you wanted to say
  • Rural. ...
  • Sixth. ...
  • Sesquipedalian. ...
  • Phenomenon. ...
  • Onomatopoeia. ...
  • Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. ...
  • Worcestershire.

What are 30 unfamiliar words? ›

Here are 30 unfamiliar words along with their meanings and example sentences:
  • Mellifluous - (adj.) sweet or musical; pleasant to hear. ...
  • Serendipity - (n.) the occurrence of fortunate events by chance. ...
  • Euphoria - (n.) ...
  • Petrichor - (n.) ...
  • Quintessential - (adj.) ...
  • Nebulous - (adj.) ...
  • Ubiquitous - (adj.) ...
  • Mellifluous - (adj.)
Jun 18, 2023

What are 20 tricky words in English? ›

Tricky Words in English
WordMeaning
ConundrumA confusing or difficult problem or question; a dilemma.
EphemeralLasting for a very short time; fleeting or transient.
IndubitableBeyond doubt or question; unquestionable or indisputable.
ObfuscateTo deliberately make something unclear or confusing; to obscure or bewilder.
6 more rows
Mar 15, 2024

What are the 50 difficult words with meaning? ›

50 difficult words with meanings and sentences
  • Belie – To give a false representation to; misrepresent. ...
  • Arrant – Complete and wholly. ...
  • Untoward – Inconvenient. ...
  • Byzantine – Complex and intricate. ...
  • Conciliate – To make peace with. ...
  • Equivocate – To speak vaguely, with the intention of misleading someone.

What is the trickiest word? ›

10 most difficult words in English
  • Literally. If you know a language purist, watch out. ...
  • Ironic. Here is a word that has confused almost all English speakers – native or otherwise. ...
  • Irregardless (instead of regardless) ...
  • Whom. ...
  • Colonel. ...
  • Nonplussed. ...
  • Disinterested. ...
  • Enormity.

What are the 10 unfamiliar words? ›

You'll be using new and interesting language in no time!
  • Anachronism. An anachronism is something (or someone) that is out of place in terms of time or chronology. ...
  • Accismus. A form of irony in which someone feigns indifference to something he or she desires. ...
  • Cacophony. ...
  • Draconian. ...
  • Limerence. ...
  • Pareidolia. ...
  • Riposte. ...
  • Sanctimony.

What is tricky vocabulary? ›

Tricky words are words that early readers will struggle with. This might be because they have unusual spellings, contain new sounds and graphemes or don't follow ordinary phonemic rules.

What is the #1 hardest word to spell? ›

#1: Onomatopoeia

Next, ease your word-cluttered mind with these simple spelling rules to remember commonly misspelled words. Sources: Merriam Webster: Orangutan. Dictionary.com: Sacrilege.

What is the hardest spelling bee word? ›

Top Ten Most Brutal Spelling Bee Words
  • Milieu.
  • Smaragdine.
  • Soubrette.
  • Albumen.
  • Eudaemonic.
  • Chiaroscurist.
  • Autochthonous.
  • Insouciant.

What are the 12 most powerful words? ›

What are the twelve powerful words? Trace, Analyze, Infer, Evaluate, Formulate, Describe, Support, Explain, Summarize, Compare, Contrast, Predict. Why use the twelve powerful words? These are the words that always give students more trouble than others on standardized tests.

Can you tell me 10 new words? ›

The following list provides you with 50 new words in English that we will be using in 2023.
  • Abrogate- To revoke.
  • Anachronism- Something out of place for the time period.
  • Arrant- Entirely and completely.
  • Artless- Without deception.
  • Asperity- Harsh in tone.
  • Belie- To convey a misleading impression of; to distort.
Aug 30, 2023

What is the most rare words? ›

Do you know what a quincunx is? Here are 15 of the most unusual words in the English dictionary
  • ​Deliquescent. Adjective: Becoming liquid, or having a tendency to become liquid.
  • Flabbergast. Verb: Surprise someone greatly.
  • Flimflam. ...
  • Floccinaucinihilipilification. ...
  • Limerence. ...
  • Loquacious. ...
  • Obdurate. ...
  • Omnishambles.

Is there a 35 letter word? ›

Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism. This is considered to be another long word in English, made up of 35 letters. The term refers to a moderate instance of hereditary pseudohypoparathyroidism that mimics the disorder's symptoms but is not related to excessive amounts of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.

What is a 34 letter word? ›

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (34 letters)

Perhaps the best word of all! Made popular by the film Mary Poppins, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is something to say when you have nothing to say.

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