English can be very difficult to pronounce, especially if you are not familiar with the sounds of the language. That’s why we created a comprehensive guide to the Top 50 hardest words to pronounce in English for Non-Native English Speakers.
In this guide, you will see the word, the correct pronunciation in parentheses, the definition of the word using simple English, and an example of the word used in a sentence. We also include many pictures in guide, to help you understand. These include hard English words to pronounce for Spanish speakers, or speakers of any other language. We’ve even included some funny hard words to pronounce. Let’s dive right in!
Acceed:
Pronunciation: (uh-SEED)
Definition: to agree or give in to a request or demand
Example Sentence: The boss acceded to his employee’s request to change the business plan.
Accessory
Pronunciation: (ak-SEHS-uh-ree)
Definition: something that is added to something else to make it more useful, versatile, or attractive
Example sentence: She wore a scarf as an accessory to her outfit.
Acquiesce
Pronunciation: (ah-KWYE-ess)
Definition: to accept or agree to something without protest
Example sentence: He reluctantly acquiesced to her request and agreed to go to the party.
Aisle
Pronunciation: (EYE-ul)
Definition: a passage between rows of seats in a theater, church, or other public building
Example sentence: She walked down the aisle towards the altar, feeling nervous but excited.
Alias
Pronunciation: (AY-lee-uhs)
Definition: a false name used to conceal a person’s true identity
Example sentence: He used an alias to avoid being recognized by the police.
Anchor
Pronunciation: (ANG-kur)
Definition: a device used to hold a ship in place
Example sentence: The anchor was dropped to keep the boat from drifting away.
Anesthesia
Pronunciation: (uh-NEE-thuh-zee-uh)
Definition: a loss of feeling or sensation, typically used to prevent pain during surgery
Example sentence: The patient was given anesthesia before the operation.
Assailant:
Pronunciation: (uh-SEYL-uhnt)
Definition: a person who attacks someone physically or verbally
Example sentence: The assailant ran away after the attack.
Attempts
Pronunciation: (uh-TEMPT)
Definition: an effort to do something
Example sentence: She made several attempts to solve the puzzle, but she couldn’t figure it out.
Bereft:
Pronunciation: (buh-REFT)
Definition: feeling sad and alone because something or someone is not there
Example sentence: She was bereft after her dog passed away.
Boulevard
Pronunciation: (BOOL-uh-vard)
Definition: a wide, multi-lane road in a city, typically with trees or grass growing along the sides
Example sentence: We walked down the boulevard, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.
Cajole:
Pronunciation: (kuh-JOHL)
Definition: to persuade someone to do something by making them feel good or using flattery
Example sentence: She cajoled him into going to the party with her.
Camaraderie
Pronunciation: (kam-uh-RAH-dree)
Definition: a feeling of trust and friendliness among people who spend a lot of time together
Example sentence: The soldiers shared a sense of camaraderie after serving together in the war.
Chaos
Pronunciation: (KAY-ahs)
Definition: a state of complete confusion and disorder
Example sentence: The party turned into chaos when the police arrived.
Chocolate:
Pronunciation: (CHOK-lit)
Definition: a food made from cocoa beans, used in cooking and baking
Example sentence: She ate a piece of chocolate after dinner.
Choir:
Pronunciation: (KWAHY-er)
Definition: a group of people who sing together, often in a church
Example sentence: The choir sang beautifully at the concert.
Clothes:
Pronunciation: (klohz)
Definition: the items that people wear to cover their bodies, such as shirts, pants, and dresses
Example sentence: She put on her clothes before leaving the house.
Colonel:
Pronunciation: (KERN-uhl)
Definition: a military officer with a high rank, above a lieutenant colonel and below a general
Example sentence: The colonel led the troops into battle.
Defibrillator:
Pronunciation: (dih-FIB-ruh-lay-ter)
Definition: a device used to give an electric shock to the heart in order to restore a normal heartbeat
Example sentence: The paramedics used a defibrillator to save the man.
Deleterious:
Pronunciation: (dih-LEE-ter-ee-us)
Definition: harmful or detrimental
Example sentence: The fumes from the factory were deleterious to the health of the nearby residents.
Draught:
Pronunciation: (draft)
Definition: a current of air, especially one that is cold or feels cool
Example sentence: She felt a draught come through the window and shivered.
Eclectic:
Pronunciation: (ih-KLEK-tik)
Definition: made up of various sources or styles
Example sentence: She had an eclectic taste in music, enjoying everything from classical to rap.
Epitome
Pronunciation: (EP-uh-tuh-mee)
Definition: a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type
Example sentence: She was the epitome of grace and elegance.
Espresso:
Pronunciation: (ih-SPRES-oh)
Definition: a strong black coffee made by forcing steam through ground coffee beans
Example sentence: She ordered an espresso to help wake her up in the morning.
Expatiate
Pronunciation: (ik-SPAY-shee-ayt)
Definition: to speak or write at length or in great detail
Example sentence: She expatiated on the reasons for her decision.
Exponential
Pronunciation: (eks-puh-NEN-shul)
Definition: growing or increasing rapidly, especially in an uncontrolled way
Example sentence: The population of rabbits in the garden grew exponentially and soon became a problem.
Hegemony
Pronunciation: (hi-JEM-uh-nee)
Definition: the dominance or control of one group or state over others
Example sentence: The country’s military hegemony was threatened by the rise of a powerful rival.
Ignominious
Pronunciation: (ig-nuh-MIN-ee-us)
Definition: deserving or causing public shame or disgrace
Example sentence: He was forced to resign in ignominious circumstances after a scandal.
Isle
Pronunciation: (EYE-ul)
Definition: a small island
Example sentence: The Isle of Wight is a popular tourist destination in England.
Knell
Pronunciation: (nell)
Definition: a sound like a funeral bell, typically used to indicate the end of something
Example sentence: The knell of the bell signaled the end of the game.
Macabre
Pronunciation: (muh-KAHB)
Definition: adjective, gruesome, horrible
Example sentence: The macabre images from the accident were too much for some to handle.
Miniscule
Pronunciation: (MIN-uh-skool) adjective
Definition: very small, such as a small object
Example sentence: I lost the miniscule screw that was holding my glasses together.
Mischievous
Pronunciation: (MIS-chih-vus)
Definition: playful, but possibly causing harm or trouble
Example sentence: The mischievous kitten knocked over the vase of flowers.
Nauseous
Pronunciation: (NAW-shus)
Definition: adjective, feeling sick or disgusted
Example sentence: The nauseous feeling in my stomach wouldn’t go away, no matter how much I tried to ignore it.
Panacea
Pronunciation: (pan-uh-SEE-uh)
Definition: a solution that will fix all problems
Example sentence: The new drug was supposed to be a panacea for all types of cancer, but it didn’t work as well as expected.
Pharaoh
Pronunciation: (FAY-roh)
Definition: noun, an ancient Egyptian ruler
Example sentence: The pharaohs were buried in elaborate tombs filled with treasures.
Prompts
Pronunciation: (prahmpts)
Definition: a signal to start or do something
Example sentence: The teacher gave us prompts to help us come up with ideas for our essays.
Pterydactyl
Pronunciation: (ter-ee-DAK-til)
Definition: an extinct large flying dinosaur
Example sentence: The pterydactyl had a wingspan of over 6 feet and could fly at high speeds.
Quixotic
Pronunciation: (kwik-SAH-tik)
Definition: idealistic, but impractical
Example sentence: The quixotic plan to build a space elevator was abandoned after it was deemed impossible to accomplish.
Refrigerator
Pronunciation: (ree-FRIJ-uh-ray-tur)
Definition: an appliance used to keep food and drinks cold
Example sentence: I put the leftovers in the refrigerator so they don’t spoil.
Rural
Pronunciation: (ROO-rul)
Definition: relating to the countryside, not urban
Example sentence: We moved to a rural area to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Sanguine
Pronunciation: (SAN-gwin)
Definition: an attitude or personality of being optimistic, hopeful
Example sentence: Despite the challenges they faced, the team remained sanguine and continued to work towards their goal.
Sixth
Pronunciation: (siksth)
Definition: coming after the fifth and before the seventh
Example sentence: I’m the sixth person in my family to go to college.
Squirrel
Pronunciation: (SKWERL)
Definition: a small rodent with a bushy tail
Example sentence: The squirrel ran up the tree and hid its nuts in a hole in the trunk.
Stoic
Pronunciation: (STOH-ik)
Definition: unemotional, accepting of pain or hardship without complaining
Example sentence: Despite the difficult situation, he remained stoic and didn’t show any signs of weakness.
Strength
Pronunciation: (strengkth)
Definition: the quality or state of being strong, the ability to resist being moved or broken
Example sentence: The strength of the steel beams allowed the building to withstand the earthquake.
Twelfth
Pronunciation: (TWELFTH)
Definition: coming after the eleventh and before the thirteenth
Example sentence: The twelfth day of Christmas is when the partridge in a pear tree is given.
Ubiquitous
Pronunciation: (yoo-BI-kwuh-tuhs)
Definition: existing or being everywhere at the same time
Example sentence: Cell phones have become ubiquitous in our society.
Vicissitude
Pronunciation: (vi-SIS-i-tood)
Definition: a change or variation in the course of something
Example sentence: Life is full of vicissitudes and we never know what will happen next.
Wrinkle
Pronunciation: (RINK-ul)
Definition: a line or fold on the skin, usually as a result of aging
Example sentence: She applied the anti-wrinkle cream to her forehead, hoping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Yacht
Pronunciation: (yot)
Definition: a large, luxurious boat used for pleasure cruising or racing
Example sentence: We rented a yacht for a week and sailed around the Caribbean.
We hope this list of Difficult Words to Pronounce for Non-Native English Speakers has been helpful to you. In conclusion, we described the pronunciation for each word, gave a simple definition that was easy to understand, and used the word in a sentence as an example. With dedicated practice, you can learn to speak and write these words with ease. Soon you will be speaking like a native English speaker, and you can level up your language skills.
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