233 Mispronounced Words in English

Why are there so many English words that look completely different than they sound? English pronunciation can be so complicated that even native speakers go their whole lives mispronouncing certain words. There are probably at least a few that you have been saying incorrectly without knowing it.

But we want to change that. We will teach you 17 of the most often mispronounced words in English, including some very common words that you will encounter all the time.

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Commonly Mispronounced English Words

In the list below, we will spell out the common incorrect pronunciations as well as the correct pronunciation for each word. We will put the stressed syllables in bold.

You can also click on a word below to hear its pronunciation. Finally, I recommend finding these words on FluentU, where you can hear them spoken by a native English speaker in short videos.

1. Açaí

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Uh-kai” or “Ah-kai“

How it is actually pronounced: “Ahh-sai-ee”

Açai berries are a type of South American fruit.

Even native English speakers mispronounced this word for a while when açaí bowls first became popular in the U.S.

Let’s all go out for açaí bowls, I’m starving!

2. Flautist

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Floo-tist”

How it is actually pronounced: “Flah-tist” (U.S.) or “Floh-tist” (U.K.)

A flautist is a musician who plays the flute. Flutist (pronounced “floo-tist”) is an older word that is also an appropriate way to use to describe a flute player, but mostly in the U.S. Typically, Americans will say flutist while the rest of the world’s English speakers will say flautist.

Tyler is an accomplished and talented flautist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqH8VCtHoWA

3. Definitely

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Dee-fie-ant-lee” or “Def-in-it-lee”

How it is actually pronounced: “Def-in-it-lee”

Not only is this word sometimes mispronounced by non-native speakers, but its spelling is also butchered (destroyed) by just about everyone.

Who knows why? It kind of sounds how it is spelled, but we just cannot get “definitely” right! We might spell it “definately” or “defiantly” for years, even after being corrected. It is a cursed word.

I’m definitely going to study my English lessons tonight.

4. Library

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Lie-bear-ee”

How it is actually pronounced: “Lie-brair-ee”

The “r” sounds in this word are hard for a lot of non-native speakers to figure out. Though it is clearly spelled with an “r” right next to the “b,” even native speakers tend to leave it out.

We went to the local library to check out some books.

5. Itinerary

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Eye-tin-air-ee” or “Eye-ten-ee-air-ee”

How it is actually pronounced: “Eye-tin-er-air-ee”

When you plan to go on vacation somewhere, you will probably make a list of things you plan to do while you are there. This would be known as an itinerary, but boy is that word weird to say!

Just remember to pronounce it how it is spelled, even if it sounds weird, and you will be good to go.

Sophia wrote up an itinerary for our trip to the Bahamas.

6. Pronunciation

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Pro-nun-say-shun”

How it is actually pronounced: “Pro-nun-see-ay-shun”

Well this is kind of a pun, huh? Pronunciation is mispronounced a lot, but it is quite the complex word to say (and to spell!) due to all those syllables.

 The correct pronunciation will be listed in your textbook.

7. Pseudonym

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Puh-soo-doh-nim” or “Soo-doh-name”

How it is actually pronounced: “Soo-doh-nim”

A pseudonym is a fake name used by authors or artists. It is a great example of the silent “p” sound, which is found frequently in English.

J.K. Rowling used a pseudonym when she started writing crime fiction.

8. Salmon

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Saul-mon” or “Saul-man”

How it is actually pronounced: “Sam-in”

So many words in English have silent “l” sounds. Think of words like half, calf, talk, walk, and would. We just love shoving the letter “l” into whatever word we want!

In the case of this tasty fish, the “l” is silent as well.

I had salmon for lunch yesterday.

9. Subtle

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Sub-tell”

How it is actually pronounced: “Suh-tell”

We have been covering a lot of words with silent letters in this article, but “subtle” really takes the cake (is exceptional) for being an odd one. Silent “b” sounds in English are rare, but they do pop up.

The metaphors in this novel are quite subtle.

10. GIF

How it is mistakenly pronounced (up to debate): “Jiff”

How it is actually pronounced: “Giff”

You have definitely seen a GIF (the abbreviation for “Graphics Interchange Format”) online. It is a small image file, often with a quick animation or motion.

The pronunciation of this word has been the subject of many memes through the years. Even Steve Wilhite, the inventor of the GIF file format, claims that it is pronounced “jiff.”

But you could argue that “jiff” is not correct, since GIF is an abbreviation. “Graphics” has a hard “g,” so it is only sensical that GIF be pronounced with a hard “g” as well.

Did you see that GIF of a cat doing a backflip? Hilarious.

11. Chimera

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Chim-air-uh” or “Kim-air-uh”

How it is actually pronounced: “Kie-mear-uh”

Honestly, this word does not pop up in English very often. How many casual English conversations involve a chimera, a fire-breathing mythical beast with lion, goat and snake parts? Still, it is a very commonly mispronounced word among native and non-native speakers.

How cool would it be to see a real-life chimera?

12. Gyro

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Guy-ro” or “Gee-ro” or “Hee-ro”

How it is actually pronounced: “Yee-ro”

A gyro is a Greek wrap made with shredded meat that is cooked on a vertical rotisserie. English-speakers in the U.S. and the U.K. love this dish, but everybody seems to pronounce it wrong. To be fair, you do not see words with a silent “g” in English very often. The correct pronunciation comes from the original Greek word.

I usually order a lamb gyro with a side of hummus when I eat at the Greek restaurant down the street.

13. Ask

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Axe”

How it is actually pronounced: “Ah-sk”

Pronouncing “ask” is weirdly uncomfortable, but saying “axe” is somehow easier. Lots of native and non-native English speakers get this one wrong for that very reason.

Note that in black communities in the U.S., “axe” can be considered a proper pronunciation.

I must ask John where he left the library books.

14. Wednesday

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Wed-nez-day”

How it is actually pronounced: “Wenz-day”

Why on earth is Wednesday spelled like that? Apparently, it is due to the word’s German origins. “Wednesday” was pronounced more like “Wodan’s Day” in old German, a tribute to the Anglo-Saxon god Wodan.

On Wednesdays we wear pink.

15. Stomach

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Stoh-mahk” or “Stoh-match”

How it is actually pronounced: “Stum-ick”

It is a bit weird to pronounce “ach” as “ick,” but that is how “stomach” is properly pronounced.

My stomach is killing me, I need some food.

16. Meme

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Mehm” or “Mee-mee”

How it is actually pronounced: “Meem”

If you are guilty of mispronouncing this word, do not fret. This word was almost never used until the rise of Internet memes, so it makes sense why it would confuse some people.

Did you see that meme about the moth and the lamp? Hilarious.

17. Bury

How it is mistakenly pronounced: “Buh-ree”

How it is actually pronounced: “Bare-ee”

“Bury” and “berry” are homophones, meaning they have the same pronunciation, if you were interested in a fun fact.

Let’s bury the evidence, nobody will ever know.

More Hard English Words to Pronounce

Are you ready to take on some more difficult English words? Here are over 200 English words that many learners—and even some native English speakers!—struggle to pronounce.

In the chart below, you can also see the official IPA pronunciation, a phonetic reading and the meaning of the word. Plus, click on any word to hear its audio.

English Word	IPA Pronunciation	Phonetic Reading	Meaning
Accoutrements	əˈkuːtrəmənts	uh-KOO-truh-muhnts	Additional items of dress or equipment
Acquiesce	ˌækwiˈɛs	ak-wee-ES	To accept or comply without protest
Aesthetics	ɛsˈθɛtɪks	es-THET-iks	The branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste
Alliteration	əˌlɪtəˈreɪʃən	uh-li-tuh-RAY-shuhn	The repetition of initial sounds in a series of words
Anemone	əˈnɛməni	uh-NEH-muh-nee	A type of flower
Antediluvian	ˌæntɪdɪˈluːviən	an-ti-di-LOO-vee-un	Very old or old-fashioned
Anthropomorphic	ˌænθrəpoʊˈmɔːrfɪk	an-thruh-puh-MOR-fik	Having human characteristics or form
Anthropophagous	ˌænθrəˈpɒfəɡəs	an-thruh-POF-uh-guhs	Feeding on human flesh
Aphorism	ˈæfəˌrɪzəm	AF-uh-riz-uhm	A concise statement of a general truth or principle
Apostrophe	əˈpɒstrəfiː	uh-POS-truh-fee	A punctuation mark used to indicate possession or the omission of letters
Aptitude	ˈæptɪˌtud	AP-ti-tood	Natural ability or talent
Arboretum	ˌɑːrbəˈriːtəm	ahr-buh-REE-tuhm	A botanical garden devoted to trees
Archaeopteryx	ˌɑrkiːˈɒptərɪks	ar-kee-OP-tuh-riks	A fossil bird with characteristics of both birds and dinosaurs
Archipelago	ˌɑːrkɪˈpɛləɡoʊ	ahr-kih-PEL-uh-goh	A group or chain of islands
Architecture	ˈɑrkɪˌtɛkʧər	ar-ki-TEK-chuhr	The art and science of designing and constructing buildings
Asphyxiate	æsˈfɪksiˌeɪt	as-FIK-see-ayt	To cause to die or lose consciousness by depriving of air
Aurora	əˈrɔːrə	uh-RAWR-uh	Natural light display in the sky, also known as the "northern lights"
Aurora Borealis	əˌroʊrə bɔriˈælɪs	uh-RAWR-uh buh-ree-AL-is	The Northern Lights, a natural light display in the sky
Autodidact	ɔːtoʊˈdaɪdækt	aw-toh-DY-dakt	A self-taught person
Avuncular	əˈvʌŋkjələr	uh-VUHNG-kyuh-luhr	Kind, friendly, and helpful, especially towards younger people
Balaclava	ˌbæləˈklɑːvə	bal-uh-KLAA-vuh	A close-fitting garment covering the whole head and neck
Ballet	bæˈleɪ	bah-LAY	A theatrical dance form characterized by grace and precision
Bougainvillea	ˌbuːɡənˈvɪliːə	boo-guhn-VIL-ee-uh	A tropical climbing plant with colorful flowers
Bough	baʊ	bow	A main branch of a tree
Bourgeoisie	ˌbʊrʒwɑːˈziː	boor-zhwah-ZEE	The middle class, typically with materialistic values
Brooch	broʊtʃ	broach	A decorative pin or clasp
Bruschetta	bruˈskɛtə	broo-SKEH-tuh	An Italian appetizer of toasted bread topped with various ingredients
Byzantine	ˈbɪzənˌtin	bih-ZAN-teen	Relating to the Byzantine Empire or its architecture
Cacophony	kəˈkɒfəni	kuh-KAH-fuh-nee	A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
Calliope	kəˈlaɪəpiː	kuh-LYE-uh-pee	A keyboard musical instrument resembling an organ
Capricious	kəˈprɪʃəs	kuh-PRISH-uhs	Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
Cartilage	ˈkɑːrtəlɪdʒ	KAR-tuh-lij	A tough, flexible connective tissue found in many parts of the body
Celadon	ˈsɛləˌdɒn	SEL-uh-don	A pale gray-green color or a type of ceramic pottery
Chiaroscuro	kiˌɑroʊˈskjʊroʊ	kee-AR-uh-SKOOR-oh	The use of strong contrasts of light and dark in art
Chrysanthemum	krɪˈsænθəməm	krih-SAN-thuh-muhm	A flowering plant of the daisy family
Chthonic	ˈθɒnɪk	THON-ik	Relating to the underworld or the earth
Cinnamon	ˈsɪnəmən	SIN-uh-muhn	A spice derived from the bark of certain trees
Clandestine	klænˈdɛstən	klan-DESS-tin	Kept secret or done secretively
Coalescence	ˌkoʊəˈlɛsns	koh-uh-LESS-uhns	The merging or joining together of elements into a whole
Cognoscenti	ˌkɑnjəˈʃɛntiː	kan-yuh-SHEN-tee	People who are considered to be experts or enthusiasts
Colloquial	kəˈloʊkwiəl	kuh-LOH-kwee-uhl	Informal or conversational language
Colonel	ˈkɜːrnəl	KUR-nl	An army rank
Connoisseur	ˌkɑːnəˈsɜːr	kon-uh-SUR	An expert judge in matters of taste
Conundrum	kəˈnʌndrəm	kuh-NUN-druhm	A confusing or difficult problem
Credulity	krɪˈdjuːlɪtiː	kruh-DOO-li-tee	A tendency to believe too readily or easily
Crescendo	krəˈʃɛndoʊ	kruh-SHEN-doh	A gradual increase in loudness or intensity
Crystalline	ˈkrɪstəˌlaɪn	KRIS-tuh-lin	Having the structure and form of crystals
Cynosure	ˈsaɪnəˌʃʊr	SY-nuh-shoor	A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration
Czechoslovakia	ˌtʃɛkoʊsləˈvækiə	CHEK-oh-sluh-VAH-kee-uh	Former country in Central Europe
Debonair	dɪˈbɒnɛr	dih-BON-air	Confident, stylish, and charming
Defenestrate	ˌdiːfɪˈnɛstreɪt	dee-fuh-NES-treyt	To throw someone or something out of a window
Defibrillator	dɪˈfɪbrɪˌleɪtər	dih-FIB-ruh-lay-tuhr	A device used to restore a normal heartbeat
Deleterious	ˌdɛlɪˈtɪriəs	de-li-TEER-ee-uhs	Harmful or damaging
Denouement	deɪˈnuːmɒ̃	dey-NOO-mawn	The final part of a play, movie, or narrative
Desiccate	ˈdɛsɪkeɪt	DES-i-kayt	To remove moisture from or dry out
Diaphragm	ˈdaɪəˌfræm	DYE-uh-fram	A dome-shaped muscular partition separating the thorax from the abdomen
Dichotomous	daɪˈkɑtəməs	dye-KAH-tuh-muhs	Divided or dividing into two parts or classifications
Dichotomy	daɪˈkɑtəmi	die-KAH-tuh-mee	A division or contrast between two things
Discombobulate	ˌdɪskəmˈbɑːbjəˌleɪt	dis-kuhm-BAH-byuh-layt	To confuse or disconcert
Ecclesiastical	ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪkəl	ih-klee-zee-AS-ti-kuhl	Relating to the Christian Church or clergy
Effervescent	ˌɛfərˈvɛsnt	ef-er-VES-uhnt	Giving off bubbles; fizzy
Efficacious	ˌɛfɪˈkeɪʃəs	ef-i-KAY-shuhs	Effective in producing a desired result
Egregious	ɪˈgriːʤəs	ih-GREE-juss	Outstandingly bad or shocking
Epiphany	ɪˈpɪfəni	ih-PIF-uh-nee	A moment of sudden realization or understanding
Epitaph	ˈɛpəˌtæf	EP-uh-taf	An inscription on a tomb or gravestone
Epitome	ɪˈpɪtəmi	ih-PIT-uh-mee	A perfect example or embodiment
Equanimity	ˌiːkwəˈnɪmətiː	ee-kwuh-NIM-i-tee	Mental calmness and composure in difficult situations
Equilibrium	ˌiːkwəˈlɪbriəm	ee-kwuh-LIB-ree-uhm	A state of balance or stability
Esoteric	ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪk	es-uh-TER-ik	Intended for or understood by only a small group
Esplanade	ˈɛspləˌneɪd	ES-pluh-neyd	A long, open, level area, typically next to a waterfront
Euphemism	ˈjuːfəmɪzəm	YOO-fuh-miz-uhm	A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt
Euphoria	juˈfɔːriə	yoo-FOH-ree-uh	A feeling of intense happiness or excitement
Evanescent	ˌɛvəˈnɛsənt	ev-uh-NES-uhnt	Tending to vanish or disappear like vapor
Exacerbate	ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪt	ig-ZAS-uhr-bayt	Make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse
Extemporaneous	ɪkˌstɛmpəˈreɪniəs	ik-STEM-puh-RAY-nee-uhs	Spoken or done without preparation or planning
Exuberant	ɪɡˈzuːbərənt	ig-ZOO-buh-ruhnt	Full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness
Facetious	fəˈsiːʃəs	fuh-SEE-shuhs	Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor
Fauvism	ˈfoʊvɪzəm	FOH-viz-uhm	An early 20th-century art movement
Faux pas	foʊ ˈpɑː	foh-PAH	A social blunder or mistake
February	ˈfɛb.juˌɛri	FEB-yoo-erry	The second month of the year
Feuilleton	fjʊˈtɔːn	fyoo-TAWN	A part of a European newspaper devoted to light literature
Flamboyant	flæmˈbɔɪənt	flam-BOI-uhnt	Attracting attention through stylishness or confidence
Flibbertigibbet	ˈflɪbərtiˌdʒɪbɪt	FLIB-er-tee-jib-it	A frivolous or flighty person
Floccinaucinihilipilification	ˌflɒksɪˌnoʊsɪnˌɪhɪlɪˌpɪlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən	flok-si-noh-sin-i-hil-i-pil-i-fi-KAY-shuhn	The act of estimating something as worthless or unimportant
Frangipane	ˈfrændʒɪˌpeɪn	FRAN-juh-payn	A sweet almond-flavored pastry cream or filling
Fricassee	ˌfrɪkəˈsiː	frik-uh-SEE	A method of preparing meat by braising and stewing
Furtive	ˈfɜːrtɪv	FUR-tiv	Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble
Fuselage	ˈfjuːzəˌlɑːʒ	FYOO-zuh-lahzh	The main body of an aircraft, excluding wings and tail
Galapagos	ˌɡæləˈpeɪɡəs	gal-uh-PAY-guhs	An archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, famous for its biodiversity
Galvanize	ˈɡælvənaɪz	GAL-vuh-nyz	To shock or excite someone into taking action
Gastronomy	ˈɡæstrɑːnəmiː	gas-TRAH-nuh-mee	The practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food
Gist	dʒɪst	jist	The main or essential part of something
Gossamer	ˈɡɒsəmər	GOS-uh-mer	A fine, filmy substance consisting of cobwebs spun by small spiders
Haberdashery	ˌhæbərˈdæʃəriː	hab-er-DASH-uh-ree	A shop selling men's accessories and clothing
Haphazard	ˌhæpˈhæzərd	hap-HAZ-erd	Lacking any obvious principle of organization
Hemoglobin	ˌhiːmoʊˈɡloʊbɪn	hee-muh-GLOH-bin	A red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood
Hierarchy	ˈhaɪəˌrɑrki	HY-uh-rahr-kee	A system of organization in which people or things are ranked
Homogeneous	ˌhoʊməˈdʒiːniəs	hoh-muh-JEE-nee-uhs	Of the same kind or nature
Hyperbole	haɪˈpɜːrbəliː	hi-per-buh-LEE	Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
Hypocrisy	hɪˈpɑkrəsi	hi-PAHK-ruh-see	Pretending to have qualities or beliefs that one does not actually have
Hypothesis	haɪˈpɑːθəsɪs	hi-PAH-thuh-sis	A supposition or proposed explanation based on limited evidence
Idiosyncrasy	ˌɪdiəˈsɪŋkrəsi	id-ee-uh-SING-kruh-see	A distinctive or peculiar feature or behavior
Inchoate	ɪnˈkoʊɪt	in-KOH-it	Just begun and not fully formed or developed
Ineffable	ɪnˈɛfəbəl	in-EF-uh-buhl	Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words
Inoculate	ɪˈnɑːkjəleɪt	ih-NAHK-yuh-layt	To treat with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease
Inscrutable	ɪnˈskruːtəbəl	in-SKROO-tuh-buhl	Impossible to understand or interpret
Interlocutor	ˌɪntərˈlɑːkjətər	in-ter-LAHK-yuh-ter	A person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation
Intransigent	ɪnˈtrænzɪdʒənt	in-TRAN-zi-juhnt	Unwilling to change one's views or agree
Intrepid	ɪnˈtrɛpɪd	in-TREP-id	Fearless; adventurous
Inundate	ˈɪnənˌdeɪt	IN-uhn-dayt	To overwhelm or flood with water, ideas, or information
Inveigle	ɪnˈveɪɡəl	in-VAY-guhl	To persuade someone to do something by deception or flattery
Irrevocable	ɪˈrɛvəkəbəl	ih-REV-uh-kuh-buhl	Not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered
Isthmus	ˈɪsməs	IS-muhs	A narrow strip of land with sea on either side
Jalapeno	ˌhɑːləˈpiːnoʊ	hah-luh-PEE-noh	A type of chili pepper
Jeopardy	ˈʤɛpərdiː	JEP-er-dee	Danger or risk of loss, harm, or failure
Kaleidoscope	kəˈlaɪdəˌskoʊp	kuh-LYE-duh-skohp	A toy consisting of a tube containing mirrors and colored objects
Labyrinth	ˈlæbərɪnθ	LAB-uh-rinth	A complicated network of paths or passages
Labyrinthine	ˌlæbəˈrɪnθaɪn	lab-uh-RIN-thyne	Intricate and confusing like a labyrinth
Lachrymose	ˈlækrɪmoʊs	LAK-ruh-mohs	Tearful or inclined to shed tears
Laissez-faire	ˌlɛseɪˈfɛr	les-ey-FAIR	A policy or attitude of letting things take their own course, without interfering
Languid	ˈlæŋɡwɪd	LANG-gwid	Displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort
Leitmotif	ˈlaɪtmoʊˌtiːf	LYTE-moh-teef	A recurring theme in a musical or literary work
Lieutenant	lɛfˈtɛnənt	lef-TEN-uhnt	A deputy or substitute acting for a superior
Lingerie	ˌlɒ̃ʒəˈriː	lawnzh-ree	Women's underwear and nightclothes
Loquacious	loʊˈkweɪʃəs	loh-KWAY-shuhs	Tending to talk a great deal
Lugubrious	luˈɡuːbriəs	loo-GOO-bree-uhs	Looking or sounding sad or dismal
Machiavellian	ˌmækiəvəˈliːən	mak-ee-uh-vuh-LEE-uhn	Cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous
Magnanimous	mæɡˈnænɪməs	mag-NAN-i-muhs	Generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person
Malfeasance	mælˈfiːzəns	mal-FEE-zuhns	Wrongdoing or misconduct, especially by a public official
Malleable	ˈmæliəbəl	MAL-ee-uh-buhl	Easily influenced or shaped
Mauve	moʊv	mohv	A pale purple color
Melancholy	ˈmɛləŋˌkɑːliː	MEL-uhn-kol-ee	A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause
Metallurgy	məˈtælərʤi	muh-TAL-ur-jee	The branch of science and technology concerned with the properties of metals and their production and purification
Metamorphosis	ˌmɛtəmɔrˈfoʊsɪs	met-uh-MOR-foh-sis	A change of form or nature into a completely different one
Meticulous	məˈtɪkjələs	muh-TIK-yuh-luhs	Showing great attention to detail; thorough
Milieu	miːˈljuː	mee-LYOO	A person's social environment or surroundings
Neophyte	ˈniːəˌfaɪt	NEE-uh-fyt	A person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief
Niche	nɪtʃ	neesh	A specialized segment of the market or a specific area of expertise
Nomenclature	ˌnoʊmənˈkleɪtʃər	noh-muhng-KLAY-chur	A system of naming or classifying things
Obsequious	əbˈsiːkwiəs	uhb-SEE-kwee-uhs	Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
Ominous	ˈɑːmɪnəs	AH-muh-nuhs	Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen
Omnipotent	ɑːmˈnɪpətənt	ahm-NIP-uh-tuhnt	Having unlimited power
Ophthalmologist	ˌɑfθælməˈlɑːʤɪst	af-thal-muh-LOH-jist	A medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases
Oscillate	ˈɒsɪˌleɪt	OS-uh-layt	To move or swing back and forth between two points
Otorhinolaryngology	ˌoʊtoʊˌraɪnoʊˌlærɪŋˈɡɒləʤi	OH-toh-ry-noh-LAR-ing-GOL-uh-jee	The medical specialty dealing with the ear, nose, and throat
Panacea	ˌpænəˈsiːə	pan-uh-SEE-uh	A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases
Paraphernalia	ˌpærəfərˈneɪliə	par-uh-fuh-NAY-lee-uh	Equipment or accessories associated with a particular activity
Pariah	pəˈraɪə	puh-RY-uh	An outcast or someone who is rejected
Pastiche	pæˈstiːʃ	pah-STEESH	An artistic work that imitates the style of another artist or period
Penultimate	pɪˈnʌltɪmət	pi-NUL-tuh-muht	Second to last in a series or sequence
Perfunctory	pərˈfʌŋktəriː	pur-FUNK-tuh-ree	Carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection
Perpendicular	ˌpɜːr.pənˈdɪk.jə.lər	pur-puh n-DIK-yuh-lur	At an angle of 90 degrees to a given line, plane, or surface
Perspicacious	ˌpɜːrspɪˈkeɪʃəs	pur-spi-KAY-shuhs	Having a ready insight into and understanding of things
Perspicacity	ˌpɜrspɪˈkæsətiː	pur-spi-KAS-i-tee	Keenness of mental perception or understanding
Pharaoh	ˈfɛroʊ	FAY-roh	A ruler in ancient Egypt
Pharaohs	ˈfeəˌroʊz	FAIR-ohz	Rulers of ancient Egypt
Phenomenon	fəˈnɑːməˌnɒn	fuh-NAH-muh-non	A fact or event that can be observed or experienced
Philanthropy	fɪˈlænθrəpiː	fi-LAN-thruh-pee	The desire to promote the welfare of others, usually through donations
Photosynthesis	ˌfoʊtoʊˈsɪnθəsɪs	foh-toh-SIN-thuh-sis	The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods
Plenipotentiary	ˌplɛnɪpəˈtɛnʃəriː	plen-uh-puh-TEN-shuh-ree	A person, especially a diplomatic representative, invested with full power or authority
Pneumonia	nuˈmoʊnjə	noo-MOH-nee-uh	Inflammation of the lungs caused by infection
Potpourri	ˌpoʊpʊˈriː	poh-poo-REE	A mixture of dried petals and spices used to scent the air
Precipice	ˈprɛsɪpɪs	PRES-uh-pis	A very steep rock face or cliff
Preternatural	priːtərˈnætʃərəl	pree-ter-NAT-shuh-ruhl	Beyond what is normal or natural
Pulchritudinous	ˌpʌlkriˈtjuːdɪnəs	pul-kri-TOO-di-nuhs	Beautiful; physically attractive
Querulous	ˈkwɛrjələs	KWER-yuh-luhs	Complaining in a petulant or whining manner
Queue	kjuː	kyoo	A line or sequence of people or vehicles waiting their turn
Quinoa	ˈkiːnwɑː	KEEN-wah	A grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds
Quintessential	ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃəl	kwin-tuh-SEN-shuhl	Representing the most perfect or typical example of something
Quotidian	kwəˈtɪdiən	kwoh-TID-ee-uhn	Occurring or recurring daily
Rambunctious	ræmˈbʌŋktʃəs	ram-BUNK-shuhs	Uncontrollably exuberant or boisterous
Rapport	ræˈpɔːr	ra-POR	A close and harmonious relationship
Rendezvous	ˈrɑndeɪˌvuː	RAHN-duh-voo	A meeting at an agreed time and place
Resilience	rɪˈzɪliəns	ri-ZIL-yuhns	The ability to recover quickly from difficult conditions
Sagacious	səˈɡeɪʃəs	suh-GAY-shuhs	Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment
Salmagundi	ˌsælməˈɡʌndi	sal-muh-GUHN-dee	A dish of various meats, vegetables, fruits, and seasonings, mixed together
Sassafras	ˈsæsəˌfræs	SAS-uh-fras	An aromatic deciduous tree of the laurel family
Schadenfreude	ˈʃɑːdənˌfrɔɪd	SHAH-dn-froy-duh	Pleasure derived from the misfortune of others
Schnapps	ʃnæps	shnaps	A type of strong alcoholic drink
Seismograph	ˈsaɪzməˌɡræf	SYZ-muh-graf	An instrument that measures and records earthquakes
Serendipity	ˌsɛrənˈdɪpətiː	ser-uhn-DIP-uh-tee	The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way
Soporific	ˌsɑːpəˈrɪfɪk	sah-puh-RIF-ik	Tending to induce drowsiness or sleepiness
Sphygmomanometer	ˌsfɪɡmoʊməˈnɑːmɪtər	sfig-muh-muh-NOM-i-ter	A device used to measure blood pressure
Squirrel	ˈskwɜːrəl	SKWUR-uhl	A small, agile rodent with a bushy tail
Subpoena	səˈpinə	suh-PEE-nuh	A writ ordering a person to attend a court
Sycophant	ˈsɪkəfənt	SIK-uh-fuhnt	A person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage
Synecdoche	sɪˈnɛkdəki	sih-NEK-duh-kee	A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole
Taciturn	ˈtæsɪtɜːrn	TAS-i-tern	Reserved or uncommunicative in speech
Tenebrous	ˈtɛnəbrəs	TEN-uh-bruhs	Dark, shadowy, or obscure
Tmesis	təˈmiːsɪs	tuh-MEE-sis	The insertion of one or more words between the words of a compound phrase
Tsunami	suːˈnɑːmi	soo-NAH-mee	A long high sea wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance
Ubiquitous	juːˈbɪkwɪtəs	yoo-BI-kwuh-tuhs	Present, appearing, or found everywhere
Unctuous	ˈʌŋkʃuəs	UHNGK-choo-uhs	Excessively flattering or ingratiating
Uvula	ˈjuːvjələ	YOO-vyuh-luh	A fleshy extension at the back of the soft palate
Valet	ˈvæleɪ	VAL-ay	A personal attendant or servant
Vexatious	vɛkˈseɪʃəs	vek-SEY-shuhs	Causing or tending to cause annoyance, frustration, or worry
Vexillology	ˌvɛksɪˈlɒləʤiː	vek-si-LAW-luh-jee	The study of flags
Visceral	ˈvɪsərəl	VISS-er-uhl	Relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect
Vivacious	vɪˈveɪʃəs	vi-VAY-shuhs	Lively and animated
Whimsical	ˈwɪmzɪkəl	WIM-zi-kuhl	Playfully quaint or fanciful
Worcestershire	ˈwʊstərʃər	WUUS-tuhr-shuhr	A type of sauce
Xylophone	ˈzaɪləfoʊn	ZY-luh-fohn	A musical instrument played by striking wooden bars
Yacht	jɑːt	yaht	A medium-sized sailboat or motorboat used for pleasure or racing
Zeitgeist	ˈzaɪtɡaɪst	ZYTE-gyst	The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history
Zephyr	ˈzɛfər	ZEF-er	A soft, gentle breeze
Zucchini	zuˈkiːniː	zoo-KEE-nee	A type of summer squash

 

English words can be quite complex when it comes to pronunciation. With a little bit of hard work, any English learner can definitely figure them out. It just takes some context, the proper pronunciation and a desire to master the English language. Good luck!

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