English is full of tricky words that look one way, sound another, and fool even fluent speakers. Between borrowed spellings, silent letters, and regional quirks, it’s easy to say something wrong without knowing it.
Here are 15 common mispronounced words along with the correct way to say them.
1. Espresso (Not “Expresso”)
There’s no “x” in espresso. The Italian term comes from caffè espresso, meaning “pressed-out coffee.” It’s pronounced ess-PRESS-oh, not ex-PRESS-oh, no matter how fast you need your caffeine.
2. Mischievous (Not “Mischievious”)
It only has three syllables: MIS-chuh-vus. Adding an extra “ee” sound in the middle is so common that dictionaries now list it as a variant—but purists still cringe.
For more language twists, explore Everyday Words That Used to Mean Something Totally Different.
3. Nuclear (Not “Nucular”)
Even presidents have struggled with this one. The correct pronunciation is NOO-klee-er, not NOO-kyuh-ler. The confusion likely comes from the similar rhythm of words like “particular.”
4. GIF (Hard “G”)
The creator of the GIF himself declared it’s pronounced gihf (like “gift” without the “t”). Despite the ongoing internet debate, that’s the official word from the man who invented it.
5. Library (Not “Liberry”)
It’s LYE-brer-ee, with both “r” sounds pronounced. Dropping one might sound cute coming from a toddler, but less so in a job interview.
6. Quay (Not “Kway”)
A “quay” is a dock or landing place along water, pronounced kee. The word originates from the Old French “kai,” which explains the deceptive spelling.
7. Salmon (Silent “L”)
No matter how much you love seafood, please skip the “L.” It’s SAM-un, not SAL-mon. The silent letter is a linguistic relic from Latin roots.
Need a fun detour? Read The Bizarre History of Everyday Sayings.
8. February (The First “R” Counts)
Technically, it’s FEB-roo-air-ee, not FEB-yoo-air-ee. Most people skip that first “r,” but if you pronounce it correctly, linguists will applaud you.
9. Forte (It’s Complicated)
In English, FOR-tay is common, but purists note that the original French “fort” (meaning “strong”) is pronounced simply as “fort.” Either way is accepted now—your choice depends on whether you’re ordering wine or making a point.
10. Acai (Ah-sigh-EE)
This trendy berry from Brazil trips up many smoothie lovers. The correct pronunciation is ah-sigh-EE, with emphasis on the final syllable.
11. Coupon (Two Correct Ways)
Both KOO-pon and KYOO-pon are acceptable. Americans tend to favor the first; Brits lean toward the second. Your accent, your rules.
12. Gyro (It’s Greek to Us)
If you’re ordering this delicious Greek wrap, say YEE-roh, not JAI-roh or GEE-roh. The word comes from the Greek gyros, meaning “turn.”
Love quick knowledge snacks? Check out Five-Minute Curiosity — Things You Can’t Unsee Once You Know.
13. Often (Silent “T”)
Though many say OFF-ten, the “t” is traditionally silent: AW-fen. However, both are now considered standard, so say it however you like, quietly or not.
14. Cache (Not “Cash-ay”)
A “cache” is a hidden store or digital storage area, pronounced cash. “Caché” (with an accent) means prestige, as in “that brand has cachet.” Mixing them up is a tech-world faux pas.
15. Colonel (No Logic Here)
This one makes no phonetic sense. It’s pronounced ‘KUR-nul’ because English borrowed the word from both French and Italian, and never settled on a consistent spelling.
For more tips and tricks, see this pronunciation guide from Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries.
Why Pronunciation Matters
Master common mispronounced words to boost clarity and confidence. English borrows from hundreds of languages, so quirks persist. Stay curious, keep listening, and keep learning.
