50 Hardest English Words and How to Pronounce Them Correctly
Learning English can feel difficult, especially when you see long or confusing words. Many learners struggle with pronunciation because English spelling and sound do not always match. In this blog, we will talk about the Hardest English Words and explain how to pronounce them correctly in a simple way.
If you are a beginner or someone who wants to speak clearly and confidently, this guide will help you a lot.

Why Are Some English Words Hard to Pronounce?
The Hardest English Words are difficult mainly because:
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They have silent letters
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They come from other languages
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They are very long
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Their spelling is confusing
But with the right method, even the hardest words become easy.
50 Hardest English Words and Their Correct Pronunciation
Below is a carefully selected list of the Hardest English Words, along with easy pronunciation help.
1–10 Hardest English Words
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Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Pronunciation: new-muh-no-ul-tra-my-kro-skop-ik-sil-i-ko-vol-kay-no-ko-nee-oh-sis -
Worcestershire
Pronunciation: woos-ter-sher -
Colonel
Pronunciation: ker-nel -
Squirrel
Pronunciation: skwi-rul -
Wednesday
Pronunciation: wenz-day -
Receipt
Pronunciation: ri-seet -
Choir
Pronunciation: kwai-er -
Rural
Pronunciation: roo-rul -
Anemone
Pronunciation: uh-nem-uh-nee -
Entrepreneur
Pronunciation: on-truh-pruh-nur
11–20 Hardest English Words
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Subtle – sut-l
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Debt – det
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Island – eye-land
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Cupboard – kub-erd
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Nauseous – naw-shus
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Genre – zhon-ruh
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Hors d’oeuvre – or-derv
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Debris – deh-bree
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Salmon – sam-un
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Yacht – yot
These are some of the Hardest English Words because their spelling hides the real sound.
21–30 Hardest English Words
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Epitome – ih-pit-uh-mee
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Hyperbole – hi-per-buh-lee
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Quinoa – keen-wah
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Bourgeois – boor-zhwah
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Rendezvous – ron-day-voo
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Awry – uh-ry
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Cache – kash
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Faux – foh
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Lingerie – lan-zhu-ray
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Hermione – her-my-oh-nee
31–40 Hardest English Words
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Pronunciation – pro-nun-see-ay-shun
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Library – ly-brer-ee
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Clothes – klohz
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Sixth – siksth
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Massachusetts – ma-suh-choo-sits
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Isthmus – is-muhs
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Phoenix – fee-niks
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Indict – in-dite
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Segue – seg-way
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Gauge – gayj
41–50 Hardest English Words
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Chassis – sha-see
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Onomatopoeia – on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh
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Aisle – ile
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Psyche – sy-kee
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Et cetera—et-set-er-uh
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Schedule – sked-jool / shed-yool
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Plaid – plad
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Mnemonic – ni-mon-ik
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Victuals – vit-lz
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Zephyr – zeh-fer
These final examples complete our list of the Hardest English Words learners often struggle with.
Easy Tips to Master the Hardest English Words
To pronounce the Hardest English Words correctly:
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Break the word into small sounds
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Listen to native speakers
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Practice slowly, then increase speed
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Record your voice and compare
Daily practice makes a big difference.
British vs American Pronunciation
Some of the Hardest English Words sound different in British and American accents, like schedule or herb. Learning both helps improve fluency and confidence.
Final Thoughts
The Hardest English Words are not impossible to learn. With patience, practice, and the right guidance, anyone can pronounce them clearly. Do not fear long or confusing words. Every expert speaker once struggled too.