252 Hardest English Words to Pronounce: A Fun Challenge

Without a doubt, pronunciation is one of the most important aspects of learning a new language. Mispronouncing words may lead to many misunderstandings… sometimes funny or even embarrassing. Which is why it makes total sense that, as an English learner, you most likely aim to master your pronunciation to sound as close to a native speaker as possible.

But while English may not seem like the most difficult language to pronounce, it has its fair share of words that can be hard to get your tongue around. This is mainly because the English language is a mishmash of words borrowed from other languages. Or inspired by other languages.

To give you some extra value, we’ve compiled a list of more than 250 hardest words to pronounce in English. Even if you don’t master them immediately, simply having a go at the pronunciation and having fun with them will make you a more confident English speaker. So buckle up for an ephemeral, eclectic vocabulary explosion that will test your equanimity.

As an English learner, you may have noticed a disconnect between the pronunciation and spelling of certain words in English. Sometimes, how you spell a word has nothing to do with how you pronounce it or vice versa.

Linguistically speaking, the graphemes (the written words) and the phonemes (sounds) do not always coincide in English.

This happens mainly because the English language uses many words borrowed from other languages, such as French, Latin, Greek, or German. For example, the word “vacuum” comes from the Latin word “vacuus,” which means “empty.” That’s why it’s spelled with a double “u.”

To make things even more confusing, in English, one letter can make different sounds, and the same combination of letters can be pronounced differently in different words. There’s no better way to illustrate this than this funny TikTok sketch. Or this one.

The pronunciation of some English words can leave even the most eloquent wordsmiths perplexed. Here are the top 10 hardest English words to pronounce, even for native speakers. Test your English knowledge and see whether you can pronounce these words correctly. We’re curious to know how many you got right!

[ˈrʊrəl]

There’s no way you can pronounce this word without twisting your tongue! The double “r” followed by a contradictory “l” makes this seemingly innocent word one of the hardest ones to pronounce in English.

[ˈmɪsʧəvəs]

To be mischievous means “to cause or show a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way.” And indeed, this word causes us a lot of trouble when it comes to its correct pronunciation. Most people pronounce it as “mis-chee-vee-us”, adding an extra “i.” But no, it’s actually “mis-chee-vus.”

[ˈkɜrnəl]

This seemingly simple word is actually one of the most mispronounced words in English, even by native speakers. We bet you read it the way it’s written (“co-lo-nel”), right? Well, we’re sorry to break it to you, but it’s actually pronounced: “ker-nel.” Yes, it makes no sense.

[ɪˈpɪtəmi]

This seemingly innocent word is another one that causes a lot of confusion. We’re sure you read it as “epi-tom.” But no, the correct pronunciation of this word is “epi-toh-mee” Yes, despite what your intuition is telling you, the “e” isn’t silent.

[dræft]

This one is probably the most counter-intuitive English word to pronounce. Its correct pronunciation still has me bewildered, no matter how many times I’ve said it. However you think it’s pronounced – believe me, it isn’t. No, it’s not “drot.” It’s “draft.” As in “laugh,” but with a “t” at the end.

[haɪˈpɜrbəˌli]

This word, likely familiar to you from your mathematics classes, is a word of Greek origin. And just like with many other words of Greek origin in English, the “e” at the end isn’t silent. Although most people mispronounce it as “hahy-pur-bohl,” it’s actually pronounced “hahy-per-buh-lee.”

[ˈnɔʃəs]

If you’re pronouncing this word as “naw-zee-us,” then you’re pronouncing it wrong! While this pronunciation may seem intuitive, it’s actually pronounced “naw-shus.” Yes, we agree, the English spelling-to-pronunciation relationship doesn’t make sense sometimes.

[sɪksθ]

While this is such as basic word, it’s actually one of the hardest to pronounce. Because of how challenging it is to correctly pronounce the combination of “x” and “th,” most people just mispronounce it as “siks.”

[ˈθɜroʊ]

As an English learner, you may find it confusing to differentiate between the words “thorough” and “through.” In writing, they are very similar, but their pronunciation differs significantly. Contrary to what you may think, “thorough” isn’t pronounced as “threw.” The correct pronunciation is “thuh-ruh.”

[ˈwʊstəʃər sɔs]

And the winner is… Worcestershire sauce. We’re ready to bet that you’re pronouncing it “Wor-cest-er-shi-er.” However, the correct pronunciation is “Woo-ster-sher.” Just forget about the “ces” syllable.

Did you think that there were only 10 super-complicated words to pronounce in English? Oh no, the list doesn’t end there! In fact, it goes on and on… Well, in this article, it goes up to 252 of the hardest English words to pronounce and spell. Let’s dive in.

English

Pronunciation

IPA

Meaning

Aberrant
uh-BER-uhnt
/ æˈberənt /
Deviating from the norm or typical behavior.

Accede
uhk-seed
/ əkˈsiːd /
To consent, give approval; yield to another’s wishes.

Accessory
uhk-ses-uh-ree
/ əkˈsesəri /
Small thing you wear with clothes to add style.

Adamant
AD-uh-muhnt
/ ˈædəmənt /
Firmly refusing to change one’s mind.

Adumbrate
ad-UHM-breyt
/ ˈædəmbreɪt /
To give a vague or sketchy outline of.

Agoraphobia
uh-gaw-ruh-foh-bee-uh
/ ˌæɡərəˈfəʊbiə /
A fear of places or situations that you can’t escape from; fear of open spaces.

Albeit
all-BEE-it
/ ɒlˈbiːət /
Despite the fact that.

Alias
ay-lee-uhs
/ ˈeɪliəs /
An assumed name taken on temporarily, sometimes by a criminal or fugitive.

Almond
AL-muhnd
/ ˈɑːmənd /
A small, oval.

Anathema
uh-nath-uh-muh
/ əˈnæθəmə /
Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.

Anemone
uh-nem-uh-nee
/ əˈneməni /
Small plant.

Anesthetist
uh-neth-uh-tist
/ əˈniːsθətɪst /
An anesthesiologist.

Aneurysm
uh-nur-izm
/ ˈænjəˌrɪzəm /
Excessive localized swelling of the wall of an artery.

Antarctic
ant-aark-tik
/ ænˈtɑːktɪk /
Extremely cold region in the Southern part of the world.

Anthropomorphism
an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uhm
/ ˌænθrəʊpəʊˈmɔːfˌɪzəm /
The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.

Antidisestablishmentarianism
an-teye-dis-es-tab-lish-muhnt-air-ee-uh-niz-uhm
/ ˌæntidɪsəˌstæbləʃmənˈteriənɪzəm /
Opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England.

Apocryphal
uh-PAHK-ruh-fuhl
/ əˈpɑːkrəfl̩ /
Of doubtful authenticity.

Archetype
AHR-kih-t
/ ˈɑːrkəˌtaɪp /
A very typical example of something.

Archipelago
AHR-kih-pel-uh-goh
/ ˌɑːrkəˈpeləˌɡoʊ /
A group of islands.

Ascetic
ass-et-ick
/ əˈsetɪk /
A person who practices extreme self-discipline.

Asterisk
ay-stuh-risk
/ ˈæstərɪsk /
The symbol: *

Athlete
ATH-leet
/ ˈæθˌlit /
A person who is skilled in sports or other physical activities.

Bacteriology
bak-teer-ee-awl-uh-jee
/ bækˌtɪəriˈɒlədʒi /
The study of bacteria.

Beguile
bee-gyle
/ bɪˈɡaɪl /
To deceive or cheat someone.

Blasphemy
blas-fuh-mee
/ ˈblæsfəmi /
Speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things.

Bouquet
boo-KAY
/ buːˈkeɪ /
A bunch of flowers.

Bourbon
BER-buhn
/ ˈbɝːbən /
A type of whiskey made primarily from corn.

Brewery
BREW-uh-ree
/ ˈbruːəri /
A place where beer is produced.

Broccoli
BROK-uh-lee
/ ˈbrɑːkəli /
A green vegetable with a tree-like shape.

Buoy
boy
/ ˈbuːi /
A floating device used to mark a location or to indicate a navigational hazard.

Bureaucracy
byoo-rok-ruh-see
/ bjʊəˈrɒkrəsi /
Excessively complex administrative procedures.

Bury
BER-ee
/ ˈberi /
To put underground, typically in the earth.

Cacciatore
kuh-chuh-tawr-ee
/ katʃəˈtɔːi /
Prepared in a spicy tomato sauce with mushrooms and herbs.

Cache
kash
/ ˈkæʃ /
A hiding place for storing away goods.

Cacophony
kuh-kof-uh-nee
/ kæˈkɒfəni /
Unpleasant mixture of sounds.

Cajole
kuh-johl
/ kəˈdʒoʊl /
To persuade someone to do something by being very friendly.

Callous
kal-us
/ ˈkæləs /
Showing no emotion or sympathy; insensitive.

Camaraderie
kam-ruh-duh-ree
/ ˌkæməˈrɑːdəri /
Easy familiarity and friendship, often built over time.

Candidate
KAND-uh-deyt
/ ˈkændədet /
A person seeking an office or position.

Caramel
kar-uh-mel
/ ˈkerəməl /
A sweet, golden brown confectionery made by heating sugar.

Caricature
kuh-RIK-uh-cher
/ ˈkerəkətʃər /
A representation that exaggerates the characteristic features.

Cavalry
KAV-uhl-ree
/ ˈkævəlri /
Soldiers trained to fight on horseback.

Chaos
KAY-ahs
/ ˈkeɪas /
Complete disorder and confusion.

Charcuterie
shahr-koo-tuh-REE
/ charcuterie /
The branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products.

Chauvinism
shoh-vuh-niz-uhm
/ ˈʃoʊvɪnɪzəm /
Excessive patriotism, a belief in the superiority of one’s own gender.

Chimpanzee
chimp-uhn-zee
/ ˌtʃɪmpænˈziː /
A type of monkey.

Chipotle
chi-poat-lee
/tʃɪˈpɒtleɪ,tʃɪˈpɒtli,tʃɪˈpəʊtleɪ,tʃɪˈpəʊtli/
Smoked and dried chili pepper.

Choir
kwahy-er
/ ˈkwaɪər /
A group of singers who perform together.

Clothes
klohz
/ kloʊðz /
Articles of clothing you wear.

Cocoa
koh-KOH
/ ˈkokoʊ /
A powder made from ground roasted cocoa beans.

Colloquialism
kuh-loh-kwee-uh-liz-uhm
/ kəˈləʊkwɪəlɪzəm /
A word, phrase, or expression that is conversational rather than formal.

Colonel
ker-nuhl
/ ˈkɜːnl̩ /
High ranking officer in the military.

Comfortable
kum-fuhr-tuh-buhl
/ ˈkʌmftəbl̩ /
Feeling relaxed.

Connecticut
kon-uh-NEHK-ut
/ kəˈnetɪkət /
A state in the United States.

Connoisseur
kon-uh-ser
/ ˌkɒnəˈsɜː /
Someone who knows a lot about a particular thing.

Conscience
kon-shuhns
/ ˈkɒnʃəns /
A person’s moral sense of right or wrong.

Coup
koo
/ ˈkuː /
A sudden seizure of power from a government.

Cryptography
krip-taw-gree-fee
/ krɪpˈtɒɡrəfi /
Writing or solving codes.

Curmudgeon
kur-muhj-uhn
/ kɜːˈmʌdʒən /
Someone who gets annoyed easily.

Cyanosis
sy-uh-noh-sis
/ ˌsaɪəˈnəʊsɪs /
A bluish discoloration of the skin due to poor circulation.

Cytology
sy-taw-luh-jee
/ saɪˈtɒlədʒi /
Science concerned with the structure and function of plant and animal cells.

Data
day-tuh
/ ˈdeɪtə /
Information used for making calculations.

Debauch
di-bawch
/ dɪˈbɔːtʃ /
To lead away from virtue; to corrupt morally .

Debris
DEB-ree
/ dəˈbriː /
The remains of something that has been destroyed.

Debut
dey-BYOO
/ ˈdeɪbjuː /
The first public performance.

Decrepit
dih-KREP-it
/ dəˈkrepət /
In a very poor condition as a result of age.

Defibrillator
dih-FIB-ri-ley-ter
/ diˈfɪbrəˌletər /
A medical device that uses electric shock to restart a person’s heart.

Demagogue
dem-uh-gog
/ ˈdeməɡɒɡ /
A political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.

Dengue
DEN-gyoo
/ ˈdenɡ /
A viral disease spread by mosquitoes.

Deteriorate
dih-TEER-ee-uh-rayt
/ dəˈtɪriəˌret /
To become worse in quality or condition.

Diaphanous
dy-uh-fuh-nuhs
/ daɪˈæfənəs /
Light, delicate, and translucent.

Diaphragm
dy-uh-fram
/ ˈdaɪəfræm /
An organ for breathing between separation the thorax from the abdomen.

Dilate
DY-layt
/ daɪˈleɪt /
To make wider or larger.

Drawer
draw-er
/ drɔː /
Furniture components that slide in and out.

Elite
eh-LEET
/ əˈliːt /
A group of people of high status.

Emollient
i-mawl-yuhnt
/ iˈmɒliənt /
Making smoother or less harsh.

Entrepreneur
on-truh-pruh-nur
/ ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜː /
Someone who owns their own business.

Ephemeral
i-fem-uh-rul
/ ɪˈfemərəl /
Lasting for a short time.

Epistemology
ep-uh-stem-awl-uh-jee
/ ɪˌpɪstəˈmɒlədʒi /
A theory of knowledge.

Epitome
ep-uh-taw-mee
/ ɪˈpɪtəmi /
A person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type.

Equanimity
ee-kwuh-nim-uh-tee
/ ˌikwəˈnɪməti /
Calmness and composure.

Equivocal
ih-KWIV-uh-kuhl
/ ɪˈkwɪvəkl̩ /
Open to more than one interpretation.

Erinaceous
ehr-uh-nay-shuhs
/ˌɛrɪˈneɪʃəs/
Relating to a hedgehog.

Espouse
i-spowz
/ ɪˈspaʊz /
To follow or support an idea or theory as a cause.

Espresso
i-spres-oh
/ eˈspresəʊ /
A small Italian coffee.

Etcetera
et-suh-TEHR-uh
/ etˈsetərə /
Expression used to enumerate something.

Eulogy
YOO-luh-jee
/ ˈjuːlədʒi /
A speech or written tribute in honor of a deceased person.

Euouae
yoo-oh-wee
/ euouae /
A mnemonic used to recall the sequence of tones in a particular passage of the Gloria Patri.

Euthanasia
yoo-thuh-nay-zhuh
/ ˌjuːθəˈneɪzɪə /
The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease.

Expatiate
iks-pay-shee-ayt
/ ɪkˈspeɪʃɪeɪt /
To talk or write in great detail about.

Fatuous
fach-oos
/ ˈfætʃʊəs /
Foolish, inane; devoid of intelligence.

Faux pas
foh PAH
/ ˌfoʊ ˈpɑ: /
A socially unacceptable mistake.

February
feb-roo-air-ee
/ ˈfebjʊəri /
The second month of the year.

Film
film
/ ˈfɪlm /
A movie or a series.

Fiscal
FIS-kuhl
/ ˈfɪskl̩ /
Relating to government revenue, especially taxes.

Floccinaucinihilipilification
flok-suh-naw-suh-ny-hil-uh-pil-uh-fi-kay-shun
/ˌflɒksɪnɔːsɪˌnɪhɪlɪˌpɪlɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/
The action or habit of estimating something as worthless.

Foliage
FOH-lee-ij
/ ˈfoʊliɪdʒ /
Leaves of a plant.

Foyer
FOY-yer
/ ˈfɔɪər /
An entrance hall or lobby.

Fuchsia
fyoo-shuh
/ ˈfjuːʃə /
A bright pink color or a type of flower.

Gauge
gayj
/ ˈɡeɪdʒ /
A device for measuring the amount, level, or pressure of something.

Genre
ZHAHN-ruh
/ ˈʒɑːnrə /
A category of artistic, musical, or literary composition.

Gibberish
jib-uh-rish
/ ˈdʒɪbərɪʃ /
Senseless talk.

GIF
jif
/ gif /
A type of animated image.

Gourmet
goor-may
/ ˈɡʊəmeɪ /
A connoisseur of good food.

Grandiloquent
gran-dil-uh-kwuhnt
/ ɡrænˈdɪləkwənt /
Extravagant, lofty, or bombastic in style or manner.

Hegemony
hi-jem-uh-nee
/ hɪˈɡeməni /
Authority, leadership, or influence by a dominant social group.

Heinous
HAY-nuhs
/ ˈheɪnəs /
Extremely wicked or cruel; evil.

Heir
er
/ ˈer /
A person who inherits something.

Herb
herb
/ ˈɝːb /
A plant used for culinary purposes.

Heresy
HEHR-uh-see
/ ˈherəsi /
A belief that is at odds with established religious doctrine.

Hernia
her-nee-uh
/ ˈhɜːnɪə /
A condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it.

Hierarchy
HAHY-er-ahr-kee
/ ˈhaɪəˌrɑːrki /
A system in which people or things are arranged in order of rank or importance.

Hors d’oeuvres
or-durv
/ ˌɔ: ˈdɜ:v /
Elegant word for starters, loanword from French.

Ignominious
ig-nuh-min-ee-uhs
/ ˌɪɡnəˈmɪnɪəs /
Very embarrassing.

Illinois
il-uh-noy
/ ˌɪlə,ˈnɔɪ /
A state in the USA.

Inchoate
in-koh-it
/ ɪnˈkəʊɪt /
Only partly in existence; partially formed, as in an idea.

Infamous
in-FAM-uhs
/ ˈɪnfəməs /
Well known for some bad quality or deed.

Ingenuity
in-JEN-yoo-uh-tee
/ ˌɪndʒəˈnuːəti /
The ability to think of new ideas.

Interpret
in-ter-PRIT
/ ˌɪnˈtɝːprət /
To explain or give the meaning of something.

Ischaemia
is-kee-mee-uh
/ ischaemia /
An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body.

Island
AYL-land
/ ˈaɪlənd /
A piece of land surrounded by water.

Isthmus
IZ-muhs
/ ˈɪsməs /
A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land masses.

Itinerary
ahy-tuh-NAIR-ee
/ aɪˈtɪnəˌreri /
A plan of a journey.

Jalapeño
ha-luh-peyn-yo
/haləˈpeɪn(j)əʊ,haləˈpiːnəʊ/
Small green or red pepper.

Jaundice
jawn-dis
/ ˈdʒɔːndɪs /
The yellowing of the skin, or an adjective meaning bitterness, resentment, or cynicism.

Jewelry
JOO-luh-ree
/ ˈdʒuːəlri /
Ornaments people wear for adornment.

Juror
JOOR-er
/ ˈdʒʊrər /
A person selected to serve on a jury.

Kaleidoscopic
kuh-leye-duh-skawp-ik
/ kəˌlaɪdəˈskɒpɪk /
Having complex patterns of colors.

Knead
need
/ ˈniːd /
To work and press with the hands.

Knee
knee
/ ˈniː /
The joint connecting the thigh and the lower leg.

Knell
nell
/ ˈnel /
The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral.

Lackadaisical
lak-uh-day-zee-kul
/ ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkl̩ /
Doing something in a lazy way.

Leicester Square
les-tuhr skweir
/ ˈlestər ˈskwer /
A square in London.

Liable
LY-uh-buhl
/ ˈlaɪəbl̩ /
Legally responsible.

Liaison
lee-AY-zawn
/ liˈeɪˌzɑːn /
A link or connection between people or organizations.

Library
LAHY-brer-ee
/ ˈlaɪbreri /
A collection of books.

Licentious
lahy-SEN-chuhs
/ laɪˈsentʃəs /
Lacking moral restraint.

Lingerie
lan-zhuh-REE
/ ˈlɑːnʒəˌre /
Women’s underwear.

Maelstrom
meyl-strahm
/ ˈmeɪlstrəm /
A powerful whirlpool in the sea or a river.

Massachusetts
mas-uh-CHOOS-its
/ ˌmæsəˈtʃuːsəts /
A state in the United States.

Mastectomy
mas-tek-tuh-mee
/ mæˈstektəmi /
Operation to remove a woman’s breast.

Mauve
mov
/ moʊv /
A pale purple color name.

Medieval
mid-EE-vuhl
/ məˈdiːvl̩ /
Relating to the Middle Ages.

Meme
meem
/ meme /
A funny image in the internet.

Metamorphosis
meh-tuh-mawr-fuh-sis
/ ˌmetəˈmɔːrfəsəs /
A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one.

Miniature
MIN-ee-cher
/ ˈmɪniəˌtʃʊr /
A small-scale model of something.

Mischievous
mis-chuh-vuhs
/ ˈmɪstʃəvəs /
Person who enjoys causing trouble for fun.

Misogynist
muh-saj-uh-nist
/ mysoginist /
Person who hates women.

Monk
monk
/ ˈməŋk /
A person who lives in a monastery or convent.

Moot
moot
/ ˈmuːt /
Open to discussion; debatable.

Muscle
mus-ul
/ ˈmʌsl̩ /
A body tissue composed of cells or fibers.

Mustache
Muh-STASH
/ ˈməˌstæʃ /
Hair growing on the upper lip.

Nadir
nay-der
/ ˈneɪdər /
The lowest point.

Narcissistic
nahr-suh-SIS-tik
/ ˌnɑːrsəˈsɪstɪk /
Having an excessive interest in oneself.

Neophyte
nee-uh-fyt
/ ˈniːəˌfaɪt /
A beginner, a new participant.

Niche
neesh
/ ˈnɪtʃ /
A specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service.

Nihilism
nahy-uh-liz-uhm
/ ˈnaɪəˌlɪzəm /
The belief that nothing in the world has a real existence.

Noisome
noy-suhm
/ ˈnɔɪsəm /
Disgusting, as in odor; capable of causing nausea.

Nuclear
nyoo-klee-er
/ ˈnuːkliər /
Type of powerful energy.

Nuptial
nup-shuhl
/ ˈnʌptʃl̩ /
Concerning marriage.

Obdurate
AHB-doo-rayt
/ ˈɒbdjʊərət /
Stubbornly refusing to change one’s mind.

Occasion
uh-KAY-zhuhn
/ əˈkeɪʒn̩ /
An opportunity for a particular event.

Often
OF-tuhn
/ ˈɔːfn̩ /
Many times; frequently.

Oligarchy
aw-lij-aar-kee
/ ˈɑːləˌɡɑːrki /
A small group of people having control of a country or organization.

Onomatopoeia
on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh
/ ɑːnəˈmɑːtəpiə /
Words that sound like the thing they refer to.

Ophthalmology
of-thal-mawl-uh-jee
/ ˌɑːpθəˈmɑːlədʒi /
The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye.

Ordinance
OR-dn-uhns
/ ˈɔːrdənəns /
A law or regulation made by a local government.

Otorhinolaryngology
otor-hino-lar-ing-ol-uh-gee
/ˌəʊtəʊˌrʌɪnəʊˌlarɪŋˈɡɒlədʒi/
The study of diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

Panacea
pan-uh-see-uh
/ ˌpænəˈsiːə /
A remedy for all illness or solution for all problems.

Paradigm
PAR-uh-dahym
/ ˈperəˌdaɪm /
A typical example or pattern.

Pauciloquy
paw-suh-loh-kwee
/ pauciloquy /
Brevity in speech.

Pejorative
pee-juh-rut-iv
/ pəˈdʒɔːrətɪv /
Expressing disapproval or belittling.

Penguin
PEN-gwuhn
/ ˈpeŋɡwən /
A flightless bird that lives in cold regions near the poles.

Peremptory
per-em-tuh-ree
/ pəˈremptəri /
Speaking or behaving rudely.

Phenomenon
fuh-NAHM-uh-nawn
/ fəˈnɑːməˌnɑːn /
An extraordinary event or occurrence.

Phlegm
FLEM
/ fləm /
Thick mucus produced in the respiratory system.

Phlegmatic
fleg-mat-ik
/ fləgˈmætɪk /
Slow to react, not showing emotion; calm and composed.

Picture
PIK-cher
/ ˈpɪktʃər /
An image.

Pizza
PEE-tsuh
/ ˈpiːtsə /
A dish of Italian origin.

Plumber
PLUHM-er
/ ˈplʌmər /
A person who repairs pipes.

Pneumatology
new-muh-taw-luh-jee
/ˌnjuːməˈtɒlədʒi/
The study of spirits or spiritual beings.

Pneumonia
nyoo-moh-nee-uh
/ nuˈmoʊniə /
Lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection.

Prelude
PREL-yood
/ ˈpreɪˌluːd /
A piece of music that serves as an introduction to the main part.

Prerogative
pri-RAHG-uh-tiv
/ prɪˈrɑːɡətɪv /
A right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class.

Prescription
pri-skrip-shun
/ prəˈskrɪpʃn̩ /
The action of prescribing a medicine or treatment.

Prevaricate
pri-VAIR-uh-kayt
/ prɪˈværɪkeɪt /
To speak or act in an evasive way.

Probably
PRAH-buh-blee
/ ˈprɑːbəbli /
With a high likelihood; very likely.

Pronunciation
pro-nun-see-ay-shun
/ proˌnənsiˈeɪʃn̩ /
The way you say a word.

Prostrate
PRAHS-trayt
/ ˈprɑːstret /
Lying face down on the ground.

Pseudonym
SOO-duh-nim
/ ˈsuːdəˌnɪm /
A fictitious name, especially one used by an author.

Puerile
pyoor-ahyl
/ pjuːˈriːl /
Relating to a child or childhood; immature, foolish.

Pulchritude
pul-kruh-tood
/ ˈpʌlkrɪtjuːd /
Physical beauty.

Quagmire
kwag-myr
/ ˈkwægˌmaɪər /
A soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot.

Quay
key
/ ˈkiː /
A place around water for loading and unloading ships.

Queue
kyoo
/ ˈkjuː /
A line of people or vehicles waiting for something.

Quiche
keesh
/ ˈkiːʃ /
A baked flan or tart with a savoury filling thickened with eggs.

Quinoa
kee-noh-uh
/ˈkiːnwɑː/
A plant whose seeds we eat.

Quintessential
kwin-tuh-sen-shuhl
/ ˌkwɪntəˈsenʃəl /
Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

Quirky
kur-kee
/ ˈkwɝːki /
Having or characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits or aspects.

Quixotic
kwik-sah-tik
/ kwɪkˈsɑːtɪk /
Extremely idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.

Quotidian
kwoh-tid-ee-un
/ kwoʊˈtɪdɪən /
Occurring or recurring daily, commonplace.

Raccoon
rak-kun
/ ræˈkuːn /
A greyish brown American mammal.

Raspberry
RAZ-ber-ee
/ ˈræzˌberi /
A soft fruit resembling a red or blackberry.

Receipt
ree-seet
/ rəˈsiːt /
A document acknowledging something.

Regime
ruh-ZHEEM
/ rəˈʒiːm /
A government or system of rule.

Remuneration
ri-myoo-nuh-RAY-shun
/ rəˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃn̩ /
Payment or compensation for a service or work.

Rendezvous
RON-duh-voo
/ ˈrɑːndɪˌvuː /
A meeting or appointment, especially a romantic one.

Restaurateur
res-tuh-rer-uh-tuhr
/ ˌrestərəˈtɝː /
Someone who owns a restaurant.

Rhythm
RITH-uhm
/ ˈrɪðəm /
A pattern of sounds or beats established in music.

Salmon
sam-un
/ ˈsæmən /
A type of fish we eat.

Sanguine
san-gwin
/ ˈsæŋˌɡwɪn /
Cheerful, hopeful, confident, especially in a bad situation.

Scapula
skap-yuh-luh
/ ˈskæpjələ /
Shoulder blade.

Schadenfreude
shah-dn-froid
/ˈʃɑːd(ə)nˌfrɔɪdə/
Pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune.

Schedule
SKED-yool
/ ˈskedʒuːl /
A plan.

Scissors
SI-zuhrz
/ ˈsɪzərz /
A cutting instrument with two blades.

Sesquipedalian
ses-kwi-pi-day-lee-un
/ ˌseskwɪpɪˈdeɪlɪən /
Using a lot of long words.

Sherbet
sher-bit
/ ˈʃɝːbət /
Ice-cream like food.

Silicon
SIL-uh-kahn
/ ˈsɪləkən /
A nonmetallic element with the atomic number 14.

Specifiable
speh-SIHF-uh-buhl
/ ˌspesɪˈfaɪəbl̩ /
Able to be specified.

Specific
spuh-SIHF-ik
/ spəˈsɪfɪk /
Particular or distinct; not general.

Sphygmomanometer
sfig-muh-muh-nom-uh-mee-ter
/ˌsfɪɡməʊməˈnɒmɪtə/
Instrument for measuring blood pressure.

Squirrel
skwur-el
/ ˈskwɜːrəl /
An orange rodent with bushy tail.

Status
STAY-tuhs
/ ˈstætəs /
The position or standing of a person in relation to others.

Stultiloquence
stul-tuh-luh-kwens
/ stultiloquence /
Senseless talk.

Subtle
suht-l
/ ˈsʌtl̩ /
Very precise and difficult to analyze or describe.

Suite
sweet
/ ˈswiːt /
A set of rooms in a hotel.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
soo-per-kal-uh-fraj-uh-lihs-tik-es-pee-shuh-li-doh-shuhs
/ ˌsuːpəˌkælɪˌfrædʒɪˌlɪstɪkekspiˌælɪˈdəʊʃəs /
Extraordinarily good.

Surfeit
sur-fit
/ ˈsɜːfɪt /
An excessive amount of something.

Syllogism
sil-uh-jiz-uhm
/ ˈsɪlədʒɪzəm /
Deductive reasoning.

Synecdoche
sin-ek-duh-kee
/ sɪˈnekdəkiː /
A figure of speech.

Synergy
sin-uhr-jee
/ ˈsɪnədʒi /
The interaction of two or more agents to produce an effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

Tautology
taw-tol-uh-jee
/ tɔːˈtɒlədʒi /
The saying of the same thing twice over in different words.

Temperature
TEM-pruh-cher
/ ˈtemprətʃər /
A measure of warmth or coldness.

Ticklish
TIK-lish
/ ˈtɪkəlɪʃ /
Sensitive to being touched or tickled.

Timbre
tahm-bur
/ ˈtæmbrə /
The sound or tonal quality of a particular voice or musical instrument.

Triathlon
try-ATH-lon
/ ˌtrɑːˈjæθlən /
A long-distance athletic event.

Triskaidekaphobia
tri-skay-dek-uh-foh-bee-uh
/ triskaidekaphobia /
Extreme superstition regarding the number thirteen.

Truculent
tru-kyuh-lent
/ ˈtrʌkjʊlənt /
Defiant, quick to argue or fight.

Ubiquitous
yoo-bik-wit-us
/ juːˈbɪkwətəs /
Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

Valet
vuh-LAY
/ ˈvælɪt /
A man’s personal attendant.

Vehicle
VEE-uh-kuhl
/ ˈviːhɪkl̩ /
A machine used for transporting people.

Ventriloquist
ven-tril-uh-kwist
/ ventˈrɪləkwɪst /
A person who can make their voice appear to come from a dummy.

Vicissitude
vis-uh-si-tood
/ vɪˈsɪsɪtjuːd /
A change in circumstance, usually undesired.

Visceral
viss-er-ul
/ ˈvɪsərəl /
Relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect.

Wednesday
wed-nuhz-day
/ ˈwenzdeɪ /
The third day of the week.

Whiplash
whip-lash
/ ˈwɪplæʃ /
The flexible part of a whip or something resembling it.

Wintry
WIN-tree
/ ˈwɪntri /
Relating to winter.

Wisteria
wis-teer-ee-uh
/ wɪˈstɪərɪə /
A tree with beautiful pink or violet flowers.

Worcestershire
wuss-tuhr-sheer
/wʊstə/
A type of brown sauce.

Yolk
yohk
/ joʊk /
The yellow central part of an egg.

Zephyr
zef-er
/ ˈzefə /
A soft, mild breeze.

Zucchini
zoo-KEE-nee
/ zuːˈkiːni /
A type of green summer squash.