Mispronouncing a word can happen to the best of us, especially when it comes to tricky terms that look one way but sound completely different.
Mispronouncing a word can happen to the best of us, especially when it comes to tricky terms that look one way but sound completely different.
Whether it’s a tongue-twisting name, a borrowed word from another language, or just a term that defies phonetic logic, some words seem designed to trip us up.
In this article, we’re diving into the top 20 most mispronounced words that have left even the most eloquent speakers scratching their heads.
Ready to find out if you’ve been saying them wrong all along? Let’s get started!
Incorrect: miss-CHEE-vee-us
Correct: MIS-chuh-vus
Incorrect: ex-PRESS-oh
Correct: eh-SPRESS-oh
Incorrect: FEB-yoo-air-ee
Correct: FEB-roo-air-ee
Incorrect: ek-SET-er-uh
Correct: et SET-er-uh
Incorrect: NOO-kyuh-ler
Correct: NOO-klee-er
Incorrect: SHER-bert
Correct: SHER-bit
Incorrect: REE-la-ter
Correct: REEL-ter
Incorrect: suh-POSE-ab-lee
Correct: suh-POSE-ed-lee
Incorrect: LIE-berry
Correct: LIE-brer-ee
Incorrect: pro-NOUN-cee-ay-shun
Correct: pro-nun-see-AY-shun
Incorrect: ATH-uh-leet
Correct: ATH-leet
Incorrect: OFF-ten
Correct: AW-fən (silent “t” in traditional usage, though both are heard today)
Incorrect: close
Correct: klohz (with the “th” sound)
Incorrect: SAL-mon
Correct: SAM-ən (silent “l”)
Incorrect: AL-mond
Correct: AH-mənd (the “l” is often silent)
Incorrect: jif (soft g)
Correct: gif (hard g, according to the creator — though both are common)
Incorrect: KOO-pon
Correct: KYOO-pon (regional differences apply)
Incorrect: CAR-muhl
Correct: CARE-uh-mel (though 2-syllable is common regionally)
Incorrect: zoo-OL-o-gee
Correct: zoh-OL-uh-jee
Incorrect: ex-pecially
Correct: eh-SPESH-uh-lee
Top 20 Most Mispronounced Words was originally published on wibc.com
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