Let’s be honest: we all have words that give us a hard time when it comes to spelling. It’s a common struggle, often resulting from a lack of concentration. You might know the difference between “their,” “they’re,” and “there,” but in a rush, you might type out the first one that comes to mind. No shame in that! Beyond just rushing, tricky spellings often fall into two categories: everyday words that defy spelling conventions and obscure terms that are rarely used. For example, “esquamulose,” which was once the winning word in a National Spelling Bee, is likely unfamiliar to many of us, making it nearly impossible to spell correctly. Similarly, some lengthy words can be as difficult to spell as they are to articulate.
Certain words derive from other languages, capturing concepts that lack direct English equivalents, especially when it comes to travel or nature. Once you grasp the meaning of these unique terms, you’ll probably want to incorporate them into your vocabulary as often as possible.
We’ve compiled a list of commonly misspelled words, including those that have appeared in spelling competitions but might be unfamiliar to most. These examples remind us of the gratitude we feel for spell-check!
Challenging Spelling Bee Words
In a personal anecdote, I once lost a fourth-grade spelling bee because I misspelled “automobile,” a memory that still lingers today. The National Spelling Bee, which has been around since 1925, features notoriously difficult words. For instance, “eczema” is a term we often write about when discussing skin care, yet many still mistakenly include a non-existent “x.” Another example is “vivisepulture,” which means the act of burying someone alive—yikes!
Some challenging everyday words that often trip people up include:
- Accommodate
- Calendar
- Definitely
- Judgment
- Maintenance
Difficult Words with Silent Letters
Another category that puzzles many is words that contain silent letters. For instance, who decided that “pneumonia” needed a “p”? Here are a few examples that are hard to spell phonetically:
- Asthma
- Receipt
- Subtle
- Wrath
This article was initially published on Oct. 10, 2021. If you’re interested in further reading, check out our other blog post here. For expert insights on related topics, visit Intracervical Insemination. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, the UCSF Center is an excellent resource.
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In summary, spelling can be quite challenging due to the inconsistencies in the English language, silent letters, and foreign influences. Familiarizing yourself with commonly misspelled words and leveraging resources like spell-check can be immensely helpful. Whether you’re preparing for a spelling bee or just trying to communicate effectively, mastering these tricky words will serve you well.