English words can be a tremendous pain, and even native speakers stumble over certain persistently difficult terms. Sometimes they’re difficult to comprehend, and other times they’ve been misused so much that their original meaning has been obscured. Pronunciation can sometimes be problematic. As a follow-up to our piece about perplexing words, here are 10 of the most difficult English words.
12 most difficult English words:
1. Literally
One of the first in English words is literally. If you know that a linguistic purist, be cautious. Misuse of this term has been shown to elevate blood pressure. ‘Literally’ denotes “in a literal sense” or “what I’m saying is not imagined, but actually happened as I say it.” As a result, common phrases such as “I literally died laughing” or “He was so embarrassed his cheeks literally burned up” are incorrect.
Interestingly, due to the breadth of its improper use, the Oxford English Dictionary has incorporated an informal use for ‘literally’, allowing it to be used as a tool to emphasize, as shown in the instances above. Just don’t inform the Grammar Police!
2. Ironic
Here’s a term that has perplexed practically every English speaker, native or not. (No, seriously – we could create a whole course on utilizing irony correctly!) While irony is commonly thought to indicate a coincidence or unusual turn of events, this definition does not include its entire meaning. (In reality, as Alanis Morissette’s renowned song, Ironic, which contains around ten lousy examples of irony, demonstrates, coincidences and sad circumstances are insufficient.)
While the idea of irony is highly complex, at its most basic, it is a technique of using English words to represent the inverse of their literal meaning. However, unlike sarcasm, irony is not meant to wound. But, wait! Other types of irony include dramatic irony, situational irony, historical irony, and more. Oh, man!
So, what should you do in the midst of such confusion? One choice is to let things go. To be honest, irony isn’t necessary for a normal day, and no one will judge you if you don’t use it at all! Most People find it very difficult in English words.
3. Irregardless (instead of regardless)
You may have heard someone say ‘irregardless’ when they really meant ‘regardless’. ‘Regardless’ denotes “without regard” or “despite something” (“He maxed out his credit card regardless of the consequences,”) and is entirely appropriate.
However, contrary to popular belief, the term ‘irregardless’ is not a synonym! It signifies “not without regard” because of its double negative (the prefix -ir means “not” and the suffix -less means “without”), which is really the reverse of what its users desire. What a headache! Some peoples don’t know the most of English words so the find it hard to speak about it is actually not that hard.
Remember, while ‘irregardless’ occurs in dictionaries, it is classified as a nonstandard term. This implies that, while it exists, it should not be flung around by those who want to learn and use English words effectively.
4. Whom
Who knew such a simple word could be so confusing? In English, ‘who’ refers to the subject of a statement, whereas ‘whom’ refers to the object. But how can you know which one you need? Try answering your own question with ‘he’ or ‘he’. If ‘him’ may be the answer, then ‘whom’ is your word. (A useful trick: both terms finish in m.)
For example, “Who/whom are you going to Brazil with?” Would you say “With him” or “With he”? You would chose him, therefore who is correct? These tricks make it easier to learn difficult English words.
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5. Colonel
Many pupils have difficulty pronouncing this word! When you look at this term (which refers to a rank of officer in the army), you may assume it’s pronounced co-lo-nel. So who could blame you? It’s not as straightforward, though, because it’s pronounced kernel. But how did ‘colonel’ ultimately be spelled that way?
Well, it’s an old story of word-borrowing throughout history. The term ‘colonel’ originated with the French, who took it from Italian before changing a letter. The English then claimed the word for themselves, until both the French and the English returned to the borrowed spelling (and the English to a whole different pronunciation). *Whew!*
6. Nonplussed
After our little tour of language history, are you feeling unimpressed? It is probably plausible. We’ve arrived at our sixth tough word, this time caused by a sly prefix. Some people misinterpret ‘nonplussed’ as ‘unfazed’ or ‘uninterested’ since the word -non indicates “not”.
In actuality, ‘nonplussed’ denotes “bewildered” or “unsure of what to think”. Unfortunately, the word is so often used in both senses that, at least in written English words, it can be impossible to determine which meaning the writer meant. Well some people get confused and they just fell that it is one from the difficult English words.
7. Disinterested
Imagine you are in court. What sort of judge would you want for your case? A disinterested or indifferent judge? I hope you selected the former! While an indifferent judge might be dozing and scrolling through their phone, a disinterested judge is significantly more likely to hear all sides of your issue and make an objective decision.
Remember that someone who is disinterested is not prejudiced and does not take sides, but an uninterested individual is not interested in anything in the first place.
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8. Enormity
This one is huge! It seemed easy enough. ‘Enormity’ is so similar to ‘enormous’ that the two must be synonyms. Right? Wrong! ‘Enormity’ denotes ‘extreme wickedness’ of the toe-curling, medieval history, or brutal ruler variety. The statement “the enormity of the situation…” is wrong. (Unless you’re referring to an act of wickedness. Which we hope you are not!
9. Lieutenant
Another military phrase to confound us! This is an example of various pronunciations “across the pond” or between the United States and the United Kingdom. The term is pronounced leftenant in British English, and loo-tenant in the United States. While both locales use the same spelling – just to keep things interesting! – the US pronunciation is becoming more popular in other English-speaking nations.
10. Unabashed
What does the prefix do to an unknown term like “abash”? While the term “abash” exists (it meaning to shame or perplex), it has not been frequently used in generations. Unabashed, on the other hand, is a negative variant that meaning “not embarrassed”. So the next time you practice your English words, talk with unashamed excitement!
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11. Segue
This is one of the most difficult English words to pronounce. Don’t be deceived by the spelling; the pronunciation of this term is completely different.
How do you pronounce this weirdly spelled word? When you repeat it, it should rhyme with “weekday.”
The phrase “segue” refers to a seamless and continuous transition from one topic, portion, or segment of a conversation, performance, or presentation to another. It is frequently employed to preserve continuity and flow, allowing for a smooth progression without sudden shifts.
A seamless transition occurs when you move from one topic to the next without pausing.
The term is pronounced “SEG-way.”
12. Nauseous
Have you ever struggled to spell “nauseous”? With so many vowels in a single word, determining the correct sequence can be difficult.
And, if the spelling wasn’t confusing enough, the pronunciation isn’t much better.
“Nauseous” is an adjective that expresses a sense of queasiness, particularly in the stomach. It is usually used to indicate how something makes you feel uncomfortable or unwell.
The term is pronounced “NAW-zee-uhs.”
Example sentence: Eating three-month-old cheese was a horrible idea. She felt nauseated throughout the day.
Conclusion:
Even the most proficient speakers face linguistic challenges in the English language’s maze. From the frequently overused “literally” to the perplexing distinctions between “who” and “whom,” our investigation reveals the complexities of pronunciation and meaning. English words like “irregardless” and “enormity” highlight the intricacies that may trip up even the most experienced communicators.
As we bid farewell to these linguistic foes, let us continue on our journey over the ever-changing landscape of the English words. With unflinching interest, we traverse its twists and turns, understanding that language mastery is a never-ending topic and one that enhances our communication, reminds us that word discovery is a journey with no end.