Commonly Mispronounced Words

Abalone

A sea snail with a single, flat, oval shell that is lined with mother-of-pearl, found in the Pacific and Indian oceans and often used for food or as a source of mother-of-pearl

Accede

To agree to a request or demand

Adhesive

A substance that is used to stick two or more things together

Albeit

Although; even though

Alias

A false name used to conceal one's identity

Almond

A small, oval nut with a thin, brownish-gray skin and a sweet, white edible kernel, native to the Middle East and South Asia and widely cultivated in other parts of the world

Alternative

A choice or possibility that is available in addition to a main or standard one

Anathema

A person or thing that is intensely disliked or loathed

Antonym

A word that has the opposite meaning to another word

Apocryphal

Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true

Applicable

Able to be used or done in a particular situation or context

Arctic

Extremely cold and snowy

Asthma

A common respiratory disorder characterized by wheezing, coughing

Atmosphere

The envelope of gases that surrounds the earth or another planet

Attaché

A diplomatic official attached to an embassy or legation, typically one who is a specialist in a particular field

Awry

Not correctly or neatly arranged; askew

Ballet

A classical dance form characterized by grace and precision of movement and by elaborate formal gestures, steps, and poses

Banquet

A formal dinner, especially one held by a public body or by a guild or corporation. A feast, usually lavish, to which many people are invited

Bass

The lowest part in polyphonic music, typically providing a rhythmic and harmonic foundation

Boatswain

A ship's officer in charge of equipment, rigging, and deck crew

Bomb

An explosive device designed to cause damage or destruction

Bon Appetit

A French expression meaning "good appetite" or "enjoy your meal"

Bouquet

A bunch of flowers, typically one presented as a gift or carried at a ceremony such as a wedding

Boutique

A small shop selling fashionable clothes or accessories

Bowl

A rounded container with a wide uncovered top, typically used for mixing and serving food.

Breakfast

The first meal of the day, typically eaten in the morning

Brewery

A place where beer is produced

Bruschetta

An Italian dish made of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with diced tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil

Buffet

A meal where food is placed in a public area and people serve themselves

Bury

To place something in the ground and cover it with soil, typically as a burial for the dead

Camaraderie

A feeling of trust and good fellowship among people who spend a lot of time together

Catastrophe

A disaster or a great misfortune

Cerulean

A deep blue color

Chalet

A type of wooden house with a sloping roof, typically found in the Alps

Chaos

Complete disorder and confusion

Chassis

The frame or structure of a vehicle or machine, to which the wheels and other components are attached

Chipotle

A smoke-dried jalapeño pepper, often used in Mexican cooking

Cocoa

A powder made from crushed cocoa beans, used in cooking and baking to make chocolate flavored dishes

Colloquialism

A word or phrase that is not formal or literary and is used in ordinary or familiar conversation

Colonel

A military officer of high rank, typically in the army

Comb

A flat implement with teeth, used for arranging the hair or for cleaning

Comment

A remark or observation made about something

Committee

A group of people appointed for a specific task or function

Complete

Having all the necessary or appropriate parts or elements; finished

Concierge

A person who is responsible for the maintenance and supervision of a building, especially a hotel

Cough

A reflex action to clear the throat and airways of mucus or foreign irritants

Coup

A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government

Coup de grâce

A final blow or shot that is meant to end the suffering of someone or something that is already severely wounded or dying

Coupon

A voucher entitling the holder to a discount for a particular product

Croissant

A type of crescent-shaped roll made from a rich, buttery pastry dough

Cucumber

A long, green, cylindrical fruit with a thin, smooth skin and a cool, watery flesh, often eaten raw in salads

Cupboard

A piece of furniture with shelves, used for storing household items

Data

Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis

Debris

The remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up

Debut

The first public performance of a person or thing

Definitely

Without doubt; certainly

Déjà vu

The feeling of having already experienced something that is actually happening for the first time

Demagogue

A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument

Demeanor

The way a person behaves and appears to others, especially in terms of politeness, confidence, and self-control

Dengue

A tropical disease caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, characterized by fever, headache, and severe joint and muscle pain

Dessert

A sweet course or dish, typically served at the end of a meal

Develop

To cause something to grow or become more advanced

Devotee

A person who is very interested in and enthusiastic about something

Discretion

The quality of being careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, especially in order to avoid offending or attracting criticism

Divorce

The legal dissolution of a marriage

Dough

A soft, sticky mixture of flour and liquid, used for baking into bread, pastries, and other baked goods

Drought

A prolonged period of dry weather, especially one that affects agriculture

Elite

A select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society

Entrepreneur

A person who starts and runs a business, especially a small one

Epitome

A person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type

Err

To make a mistake

Escargot

A snail, especially one that is cooked and served as food

Especially

To a greater degree than is usual; particularly

Espresso

A strong coffee made by forcing steam through ground coffee beans

Estate

A large area of land, especially one with a large house on it, owned by a person or organization.

Etcetera

And so on; and other things of the same kind

Excite

To arouse strong emotions or interest in someone; to stir up

Extempore

Without preparation or prior thought; impromptu

Fasten

To secure or hold in place with a device such as a lock, latch, or button

Faux pas

A minor social mistake or misunderstanding

February

The second month of the year, in the Gregorian calendar

Fillet

A strip or piece of boneless meat, fish, or vegetables, especially when thin or narrow

Film

A thin layer of material, typically plastic, applied to a surface

Flour

A fine, powdery substance made by grinding grain, typically wheat, and used to make bread, cakes, and pastry

Foie Gras

A luxury food product made of the liver of a duck or goose that has been fattened by force-feeding corn

Gala

A social event, such as a dance or concert, at which people are entertained

Gauge

A measure of the size, amount, or degree of something

Genre

A category of artistic composition, defined by form, style, or content, such as music, literature, or film

Gnocchi

Small dumplings made from flour and potatoes, or from cornmeal or semolina, typically served with a sauce

Guacamole

A Mexican dish made of mashed avocado, tomato, onion, and chili peppers, typically served as a dip or accompaniment

Hegemony

Dominance or leadership, especially of one state or group over others

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement, used for emphasis or to express strong emotion

Infamous

Widely and unfavorably known; notorious

Ingenuity

The quality of being clever, original, and inventive

Insouciant

Carefree and unconcerned; indifferent

Iron

A chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal that is used to make a wide variety of products, including steel and other alloys, tools, and household appliances

Itinerary

A detailed plan or route of a journey, especially a long one

Jalapeno

A small, very hot chili pepper, typically green but sometimes red, with a wrinkled skin

Jewellery

Decorative items, such as rings, earrings, and necklaces, made from precious metals and stones

Kangaroo

A large marsupial native to Australia, with long powerful hind legs used for jumping and a tail used for balancing

Lettuce

A salad plant with soft, pale green or red leaves that are eaten raw, typically in salads

Library

A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow, or refer to

Lingerie

Women's undergarments, such as bras and panties, typically made from lightweight, sheer, or decorative fabrics

Maelstrom

A powerful, turbulent, or confusing situation or movement

Maniac

A person who is extremely or dangerously obsessed with something

Maniacal

Characterized by extreme enthusiasm or craziness; frenzied

Marijuana

A psychoactive drug made from the cannabis plant, used for recreational or medicinal purposes

Mauve

A pale purple color

Meme

An image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by Internet users, often with slight variations

Miniature

A small-scale replica or model of something

Minuscule

Extremely small; almost negligible

Mischievous

Behaving in a way that is playful and slightly naughty, but not seriously harmful

Mojito

A cocktail made with white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint, and soda water

Monarchy

A form of government in which a country is ruled by a single person, typically a king, queen, or emperor

Monk

A member of a male religious community, especially one living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

Mortgage

A legal agreement in which a lender agrees to lend money to a borrower to buy a property, and the borrower agrees to repay the loan with interest over a period of time

Nadir

The lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization

Neophyte

A beginner or novice in a particular field or activity

Niche

A specialized role or area of expertise

Noisome

Unpleasant or offensive, especially to the senses

Nuclear

Relating to or involving the use of nuclear energy or weapons

Nuptial

Relating to or connected with marriage or the wedding ceremony

Oasis

A place in a desert or wasteland where there is water and shade, and where plants and animals can survive

Often

Many times; frequently

Onion

A round, edible root with a thin, papery skin and a strong smell and flavor, used as a vegetable in cooking

Opposite

Situated on the other side of something, or at the other end of a range

Panacea

A solution or remedy for all problems or difficulties

Paradigm

A model or pattern, especially an ideal one, that serves as a basis for comparison or development

Parmesan

A type of hard, salty Italian cheese, made from cow's milk

Pasta

A type of food made from wheat and water, typically made into a dough and formed into various shapes, then cooked by boiling and served with a sauce

Pear

A sweet, juicy fruit that is shaped like an egg and has a green, yellow, or brown skin

Phlegmatic

Not easily excited or upset; calm and composed

Pizza

A dish of Italian origin consisting of a base of dough baked with a topping of tomato sauce and cheese, typically with added meat or vegetables

Plumber

A person who installs and repairs pipes, fittings, and other equipment for the distribution and use of water and gas in a building, and for the disposal of waste

Poem

A piece of writing in which the words are chosen for their beauty and sound and are carefully arranged, often in short lines that rhyme

Poignant

Deeply moving or distressing; touching

Police

The organization that is responsible for the maintenance of public order and the enforcement of laws

Position

A place or location

Prestigious

Having a high reputation and being held in high esteem

Pronunciation

The way in which a word or a language is pronounced

Prosciutto

A type of Italian cured ham, typically thinly sliced and served uncooked

Protean

Erratic, chameleon-like. Able to change or adapt easily to different situations or environments

Pseudonym

A false or assumed name, especially one used by an author

Puerile

Childish or immature

Pulchritude

Physical beauty or attractiveness

Quarantine

A period of time during which a person or animal that has a contagious disease is kept away from others to prevent the spread of the disease

Quinoa

A grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds, which are high in protein and nutrients

Quote

To repeat or copy out (a group of words from a text or speech), typically with an indication that one is not the original author or speaker

Rapport

A close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well

Regime

A government, especially an authoritarian one

Remuneration

Payment or compensation for work or services

Rendezvous

A prearranged meeting, especially one between lovers

Reservoir

A place where a large amount of something, especially a liquid or gas, is stored

Resume

A document containing a summary of a person's education, work experience, and other qualifications, typically presented with an application for a job

Salmon

A large fish that is found in the northern parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and that is an important food and game fish

Salon

A fashionable gathering of people for the purpose of socializing or discussing a particular subject

Sanguine

Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation

Sans

Without

Segue

A sequence or transition linking two related events or parts of a work

Silicon

A chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. It is a metalloid that is used to make a wide variety of products, including computer chips and other electronic components, glass, and concrete

Sour

Having a sharp, acidic taste

Spherical

Shaped like a sphere; round

Stomach

The organ in the body of a person or animal that digests food and absorbs nutrients

Subtle

Delicate and refined in a way that is not obvious or showy

Suite

A set of rooms designated for one person's or family's use or for a particular purpose, such as a hotel room

Surfeit

An excess or overindulgence of something

Synonym

A word or phrase that means the same or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language

Timbre

The quality of a musical sound or voice that distinguishes it from other sounds or voices, determined by the relative balance of its harmonic frequencies

Tomb

A large stone structure, typically of ancient times, that is used to hold the remains of the dead

Tortillas

Thin, flat cakes of unleavened cornmeal or wheat flour dough, baked on a griddle and used in Mexican and Central American cooking

Tortoise

A land-dwelling reptile with a hard, bony shell covering its body, typically slow-moving and long-lived

Truth

The quality or state of being true

Tuition

The act or process of teaching or giving instruction

Turquoise

A blue or green gemstone or the color of this gemstone

Tyranny

Cruel and oppressive government or rule

Valet

A man's male servant, especially one who is in charge of his clothes and appearance

Vegetable

A plant or part of a plant used as food, such as a root, stem, or leaf

Vehicle

A means of transporting people or goods, such as a car, truck, or train

Verbiage

A large number of words used to express an idea, especially in an elaborate or pompous way

Vicissitude

A change or variation occurring in the course of something, usually one that is unpleasant

Video

A recording of moving visual images and sound, typically made by a camera or phone

Vineyard

A plantation of grapevines, especially one producing wine

Viscount

A member of the British nobility ranking below an earl and above a baron

Waistcoat

A vest, typically one that is worn over a dress shirt and under a jacket

Wednesday

The fourth day of the week

Women

The female members of a society or community

Worcestershire

A type of dark, pungent sauce made with vinegar, soy sauce, and various seasonings, typically served with meat and vegetables.

Yolk

The yellow, spherical part of an egg, located inside the eggshell, that is surrounded by the egg white (also called the albumen).