50 Most Commonly Mispronounced Words

There is nothing to be embarrassed by as language is forever evolving and mispronounced. Misspelled words often find their way into our world, making it increasingly tough to know what is right and what is wrong. Let’s admit it, speaking can be deceiving, and there are some particularly hard words to pronounce, especially if it’s in a language that is not your mother tongue. 

That got us thinking and we decided to start our own “pronunciation” series and list the most commonly mispronounced words. The list provides a good start to help you articulate and learn how to pronounce words correctly and may be a useful tool for your IELTS Speaking test.

Abalone (/æbəˈləʊni/)

• Incorrect: ah-boh-lohn 

• Correct: ab-uh-loh-nee  

Acai (/æsaɪˈi/)

• Incorrect: ack-ai 

• Correct: ah-sigh-ee  

Accessory (/əkˈsesəri/)

• Incorrect: ah-seh-suh-ree 

• Correct: uhk-seh-suh-ree 

Albeit (/ɔːlˈbiːɪt/)

• Incorrect: al-bae-it 

• Correct: awl-bee-it 

Almond (/ɑːmənd/)

• Incorrect: al-muh-nd 

• Correct: ah-muh-nd  

Asterick (/asterick/)

• Incorrect: a-stuh-reek 

• Correct: a-stuh-ruhsk  

Athlete (/æθliːt/)

• Incorrect: ath-a-leet 

• Correct: ath-leet  

Attaché (/əˈtæʃeɪ/)

• Incorrect: ah-tat-chee 

• Correct: uh-tash-ey  

Boutique (/buːˈtiːk/)

• Incorrect: boh-teek 

• Correct: boo-teek  

Business (/bɪznəs/)

• Incorrect: bis-ee-nuhs 

• Correct: biz-nuhs  

Cache (/kæʃ/ )

• Incorrect: kash-ay 

• Correct: kash  

Cavalry (/kævəlri/)

• Incorrect: kal-veuh-ree 

• Correct: ka-vuhl-ree  

Candidate (/kændɪdət/)

• Incorrect: kan-dee-deit 

• Correct: kan-duh-duht 

Chaos (/keɪɒs/)

• Incorrect: Cha-os 

• Correct: Key-os 

Chimera (/kaɪˈmɪərə/)

• Incorrect: chim-er-a 

• Correct: kiy-meer-a  

Coup (/kuː/)

• Incorrect: koo-p 

• Correct: koo  

Coupon (/kuːpɒn/)

• Incorrect: que-pun 

• Correct: koo-pon  

Cupboard (/kʌbəd/)

• Incorrect: cup-bawd 

• Correct: kuh-buhd 

 Debris (/deɪbriː/)

• Incorrect: day-brees 

• Correct: deb-ree 

Debut (/deɪbju/)

• Incorrect: di-boo 

• Correct: dey-byoo 

Definitely (/defɪnətli/)

• Incorrect: duh-fai-uhnt-lee 

• Correct: deh-fuh-nuht-lee 

Dilate (/daɪˈleɪt/)

• Incorrect: dai-ah-leit 

• Correct: dai-leit 

Divorce (/dɪˈvɔːs/)

• Incorrect: die-vawrs 

• Correct: dih-vawrs 

Epitome (/ɪˈpɪtəmi/)

• Incorrect: ih-pi-toe-m 

• Correct: ih-pit-uh-mee 

Espresso (/eˈspresəʊ/)

• Incorrect: e-xpres-oh 

• Correct: e-spres-oh 

Et cetera (/et ˈsetərə/)

• Incorrect: ex-set-er-uh 

• Correct: et-set-er-uh  

Faux pas (/fəʊ ˈpɑ:/)

• Incorrect: fohx-pas 

• Correct: foh-pah  

Federal (/fedərəl/)

• Incorrect: feh-druhl 

• Correct: feh-duh-ruhl 

Film (/fɪlm/)

• Incorrect: fill-um 

• Correct: film 

Flour (/flaʊə/)

• Incorrect: fl-ahr 

• Correct: flou-er 

Gauge (/ɡeɪdʒ/)

• Incorrect: gauj 

• Correct: geyj 

Genre (/ʒɑːnrə/)

• Incorrect: jen-re 

• Correct: zhahn-ruh  

Heinous (/heɪnəs/)

• Incorrect: heen-ni-us 

• Correct: hey-nuh-s 

Hierarchy (/haɪərɑːki/)

• Incorrect: hahy-archy 

• Correct: hahy-uh-rahr-kee 

Hyperbole (/haɪˈpɜːbəli/)

• Incorrect: hahy-pur-bowl 

• Correct: hahy-pur-buh-lee

Ingenuity (/ɪndʒɪˈnjuːɪti/)

• Incorrect: in-jen-wee-tee 

• Correct: in-juh-noo-i-tee

Itinerary (/aɪˈtɪnərəri/)

• Incorrect: ahy-tin-ary 

• Correct: ahy-tin-uh-rer-ee 

Jewellery (/dʒuːəlri/)

• Incorrect: joo-el-er-y 

• Correct: joo-uh l-ree 

Library (/laɪbrəri/)

• Incorrect: libe-ry 

• Correct: lahy-brer ee 

Lingerie (/lænʒəriː/)

• Incorrect: linger-ee 

• Correct: lahn-zhuh-rey 

Lip-sync (/lɪp-sɪŋk/)

• Incorrect: lip-sing 

• Correct: lip-singk 

Maniac (/meɪnɪæk/)

• Incorrect: mahn-yuhk 

• Correct: mey-nee-ak 

Mauve (/məʊv/)

• Incorrect: mah-owv 

• Correct: mowv 

Mischievous (/mɪstʃɪvəs/)

• Incorrect: mis-chee-vious 

• Correct: mis-chuh-vuh-s 

Niche (/nɪtʃ/)

• Incorrect: nee-shay 

• Correct: nee-sh 

Nuclear (/njuːklɪə/)

• Incorrect: noo-kyu-lur 

• Correct: noo-klee-ur 

Often (/ɒfn̩/)

• Incorrect: off-ten 

• Correct: aw-fuh n 

Paradigm (/pærədaɪm/)

• Incorrect: par-uh-dig-m 

• Correct: par-uh-dahym 

Probably (/prɒbəbli/)

• Incorrect: pro-blee 

• Correct: pro-buh-blee 

Pronunciation (/prəˌnʌnsɪˈeɪʃn/) 

• Incorrect: pruh-noun-see-ey-shuh n 

• Correct: pruh-nuhn-see-ey-shuh n 

Pseudonym (/sjuːdənɪm/)

• Incorrect: syoo-duh-nim 

• Correct: sood-n-im 

Quinoa (/quinoa/)

• Incorrect: kee-no-ah 

• Correct: keen-waa   

Quote (/kwəʊt/)

• Incorrect: coat 

• Correct: kwoht 

Regime (/reɪˈʒiːm/)

• Incorrect: ruh-geem 

• Correct: ruh-zheem 

Rendezvous (/rɒndɪvuːz/)

• Incorrect: ren-dez-vuss 

• Correct: rahn-duh-voo 

Reservoir (/rezəvwɑ/)

• Incorrect: rez-er-vore 

• Correct: rez-er-vwahr 

Salmon (/sæmən/)

• Incorrect: sal-muhn 

• Correct: sam-uh n 

Salon (/sælɒn/)

• Incorrect: suh-loon 

• Correct: suh-lon 

Silicon (/sɪlɪkən/)

• Incorrect: sil-i-kohn 

• Correct: sil-i-kuh n 

Sour (/saʊə/)

• Incorrect: saa-r 

• Correct: souuh-r 

Stomach (/stʌmək/)

• Incorrect: stoh-match 

• Correct: stuh-muhk 

Subtle (/sʌtl/)

• Incorrect: subt-l 

• Correct: suht-l 

Supposedly (/səˈpəʊzədli/)

• Incorrect: su-pos-ab-lee 

• Correct: su-pos-ed-lee 

Suite (/swiːt/)

• Incorrect: soot 

• Correct: sweet 

Tuition (/tjuːˈɪʃn̩/)

• Incorrect: too-shen 

• Correct: too-ish-uh n 

Turquoise (/tɜːkwɔɪz/)

• Incorrect: tur-quiz 

• Correct: tur-kwoiz 

Wednesday (wenzdeɪ)

• Incorrect: wehd-nez-dei 

• Correct: wenz-dei 

Yolk (jəʊk)

• Incorrect: yol-ke 

• Correct: yohk 

Improve your English skills with IELTS

Access our IELTS practice materials and get prepared with our wide range of practice tests.

Additionally, don't forget to download your free IELTS Preparation Guide and get tips from our IELTS Experts by registering for an IELTS Masterclass.

Want to practice and improve your English skills?

Download the IELTS by IDP App to get access to IELTS preparation materials, including an app-exclusive free trial to IELTS Preparation Course developed by the Macquarie University experts and an IELTS Short Course by E2 Language. The app also gives you access to the IELTS Prepare by IDP vodcast -- a 10-episode video podcast guiding you through the IELTS test structure, how to prepare, what to expect on test day and more.

You can also book your test, register for events, take quizzes, and check your results on the go, all in one app!