Here Are The 20 Hard Words To Pronounce That You Need To Know
One of the most difficult obstacles for people learning English as a second language is the realization that there are so many difficult hard words to pronounce!
What makes a word difficult to say? For non-native English speakers, the most difficult words to pronounce are those that are spelled differently than how they are spoken.
Not all English words are phonetically spoken. When a word is phonetically spoken, it is pronounced exactly as it is written. The “k” would be uttered if the word “know” was pronounced phonetically. The “k” is not uttered, making “know” one of the most hard words to pronounce in the English language.
Look at the vocabulary terms in English listed below. Even if they are natural English speakers, these are difficult terms for children to pronounce, and this may be confusing for adults as well. So don’t be embarrassed to look them up and practice pronouncing them correctly.
Here we are starting our list of the 20 hard words to pronounce
1. Accede
How do you say it?
“ak-SEED,” with a stronger accent on the second syllable.
What does this imply?
Giving your assent or agreement to someone else’s activities is referred to as acceding. It can also imply that you agree with a group’s viewpoints. This is also one of the hard words to pronounce.
2. Alias
How do you say it?
“AY-lee-iss,” with the first syllable stressed.
What does this imply?
An alias is a fictitious name or persona.
<h3>3. Anathema</h3>
How do you say it?
“un-NATH-uh-muh,” with the second syllable stressed.
What does this imply?
This indicates that you have a strong hatred for something or someone.
<h3>4. Anemone</h3>
How do you say it?
“uh-NEH-muh-nee,” with the second syllable stressed. This is also one of the hard words to pronounce.
What does this imply?
This marine species, often known as a “sea anemone,” dwells on reefs and ocean floors. Many people mistake it for a flower since it is a sedentary animal that attaches itself to a certain location and does not move.
Anemones are a type of blooming terrestrial plant that blooms in the spring.
<h3>5. Antarctic</h3>
How do you say it?
“ant-AHRK-tik”
What does this imply?
The South Pole is simply referred to as Antarctica.
<h3>6. Brewery</h3>
How do you say it?
“BROO-uh-ree,” with the first syllable stressed.
What does this imply?
Why is it that phrases that have to do with drinking are so difficult to speak when you’re inebriated? This three-syllable term refers to beer-focused establishments. They frequently make their own brews. This is also one of the hard words to pronounce.
<h3>7. Camaraderie</h3>
How do you say it?
“kah-muh-RAH-duh-ree,” with the third syllable stressed.
What does this imply?
When you’re around a group of trustworthy friends, you receive a sensation of warmth and familiarity.
<h3>8. Cavalry</h3>
How do you say it?
“KAV-uhl-ree,” with the first syllable stressed.
What does this imply?
Soldiers on horseback were known as the cavalry in the past. Now, the term “cavalry” refers to someone or something who comes to your aid when you are in desperate need. This is also one of the hard words to pronounce.
<h3>9. Defibrillator</h3>
How do you say it?
“dee-FIB-ruh-ley-ter,” with the second syllable stressed.
What does this imply?
You may have seen this if you watch a lot of medical TV shows. It’s the gadget with two paddles linked to cables that are held to someone’s chest to give a shock to assist restart their heart.
<h3>10. Deteriorate</h3>
How do you say it?
“dih-TEER-ee-uh-reyt”
What does this imply?
When someone’s health deteriorates, it gets worse. This may also be used to describe a position that you are in. In short, things are deteriorating. This is also one of the hard words to pronounce.
<h3>11. Epitome</h3>
How do you say it?
“ih-PIT-uh-mee,” with the second syllable stressed.
What does this imply?
Someone or anything who exemplifies a trait or a kind perfectly.
<h3>12. Espouse</h3>
How do you say it?
“ih-SPOWZ,” with the second syllable stressed.
What does this imply?
When you support or follow a specific concept. Normally, you are outspoken and proud of your support.
<h3>13. Ignominious</h3>
How do you say it?
“ig-nuh-MIN-ee-uhs,” with the third syllable stressed.
What does this imply?
This adverb is often used to indicate an activity that is deemed shameful or dishonorable.
<h3>14. Isthmus</h3>
How do you say it?
“is-muss”
What does this imply?
This is a geographical feature’s name. An isthmus is a thin strip of land that connects two bodies of water. This is also one of the hard words to pronounce.
<h3>15. Mauve</h3>
“mohv” is how it’s pronounced.
What does this imply?
Mauve is a shade of purple. It’s a light purple colour.
<h3>16. Sesquipedalian</h3>
This term, which comes from 17th century Latin and means ‘a foot and a half lengthy,’ literally stands for ‘long-winded’ words like Sesquipedalian. And one may assume that alludes to something enigmatic and intriguing. No, it’s just ‘long.’
<h3>17. Loughborough</h3>
luff-ber-er is how it’s pronounced.
The city of Loughborough is the second most ludicrous British name on our list. The silent ‘g’ is intended to fool you, much like ‘thorough,’ but this time only ONE of the ‘g’s is quiet, and the first ‘g’ really makes a ‘f’ sound. Isn’t English a lot of fun? This is also one of the hard words to pronounce.
<h3>18. Thorough</h3>
thur-er (pronounced thur-er in the UK)
ther-ow is how it’s pronounced in the United States.
Even the most seasoned English speakers may be confused by ‘thorough,’ which has a silent ‘g’ and an overwhelming number of vowels. To make matters worse, English speakers in the United States pronounce this term differently than those in the United Kingdom, making it much more difficult!
<h3>19. Worcestershire</h3>
wuster-sher is how it’s pronounced.
Worcestershire sauce, the famed condiment that no one can pronounce. The issue arises because the sauce is called after the county of “Worcestershire,” and British people overlook half of the syllables in county names. If the place name is derived from the Latin term castrum (for example, Bicester, Leicester, or Gloucestershire), you should omit the ‘cester’ and say’ster’ instead. Cirencester is the lone exception to the norm. This is also one of the hard words to pronounce.
<h3>20. Year</h3>
Pronounced in whatever way you want
Okay, so there’s no universal agreement on how to pronounce the word ‘year.’ If you’re a posh British person, you might say ‘yur,’ if you’re from the United States, you might say ‘yee-er,’ and most other British people would probably say ‘yeer.’ Pick one and stick with it if you’re fresh to learning English.
