13 Words That Americans Pronounce Completely Wrong
What percentage of Americans unintentionally distort normal words in their everyday speech? Despite your belief that you know English well, as a native speaker, you still mispronounce common words.
What’s more surprising? These mispronunciations spread so widely that they are part of informal spoken English. This catalog presents 13 widely mispronounced words in American English.
This guide is essential for linguistics experts seeking speech perfection or advocating for pronunciation enhancement.
Mischievous
You’ve probably heard it pronounced as “mis-CHEE-vee-us,” right? However, the correct pronunciation is “MIS-chuh-vus”—only three syllables, not four. Why the confusion? That extra “ee” sound sneaks in and throws everything off.
Since significant media channels, from TV to movies, keep using this syntax mistake; people persist in using the wrong common occurrences. Gain public admiration by practicing proper pronunciation; your word mastery will impress any audience.
Library
How often have you heard someone say “LIE-berry”? No one can miss how widespread this mistake is for obvious reasons: it borders humor. The accurate pronunciation is “LIE-brer-ee.”
Most people rush through the pronunciation or become lazy with their speech, leading to this mispronunciation. Each syllable you pronounce carefully will help you prevent this mistake and enhance your verbal communication skills.
February
Do you skip the first “R” when saying this month? You’re not alone. Many Americans say “FEB-yoo-ary” when the proper pronunciation is “FEB-roo-ary.”
Dropping the “R” has become standard in casual American English, but linguists argue that restoring it adds sophistication. Try saying the “R” slowly until it sticks.
Often
You’ve likely come across the pronunciation “OFF-ten,” including the “T.” While it’s widely accepted, the historically correct version is “OFF-en.”
The silent “T” has faded in and out of style, but experts like Merriam-Webster still list “OFF-en” as the preferred pronunciation. To remove confusion, people should speak deliberately with uniform articulation.
Asterisk
This tricky word often gets mangled into “aster-ick.” The correct enunciation is “AS-ter-isk,” with the “S” at the end fully pronounced. Dropping that last “S” is a frequent error in casual American speech. During professional conversations, composure is preserved by speaking each fragment deliberately while maintaining a slow pace.
Et cetera
Americans often mispronounce this Latin phrase as “eck-SET-ra,” but the correct pronunciation is “et SET-er-uh.” The “Et” at the start means “and” in Latin. Swapping “et” for “eck” dilutes the meaning and makes you sound uninformed. Want to sound polished? Stick to the original.
Pronunciation
This one’s ironic—people frequently say “pro-noun-ciation” instead of “pro-NUN-ciation.” Yes, “pronounce” includes “noun,” but “pronunciation” does not. The mistake stems from over-association with the word “pronounce.” Ending this practice will make your spoken language both precise and professional.
Tour
Many English speakers shorten this to “tore,” but the proper form is “toor.” Dropping the “oo” sound makes the word lose its clarity. When explaining travel and tourist guides, use proper pronunciation to prevent understanding errors.
Forte
Even those who perform undergrad examinations at Ivy Leagues find the word puzzling. Many pronounce it as “for-TAY,” assuming it follows the Italian musical term.
However, the original French pronunciation is actually “FORT.” Reviewers now accept both pronunciations across various settings. Feeling fancy? Use “FORT” to refer to a strength or skill.
Nuclear
Brace yourself—this one’s a classic. Many Americans say “NOO-kyuh-lur”, but the correct form is “NOO-klee-ur”. Prominent public leaders, alongside well-known figures, frequently make mistakes with this word.
President George W. Bush became known because of how often he mispronounced the word but did not get it right. Stick to the proper “klee” sound in the middle for credibility.
Espresso
Many people mistake the word by saying “EX-presso” rather than the accurate pronunciation “ES-press-o.” The proper spelling lacks the letter “X,” yet people make phonetic errors that create misunderstandings in pronunciation.
All coffee enthusiasts must banish “ The “X”, which likely appears because people perceive it as making the word sound faster or fancier. Remember that it originates from Italian, where no “X” exists. The term “espresso” designates a pressurized coffee preparation technique, and its proper pronunciation honors its cultural background.
Sherbet
Most Americans mistakenly add an extra “R,” calling it “sher-BERT.” The correct version is “SHER-bet.” The additional “R” may have snuck in over years of informal usage, but any dessert aficionado will tell you it’s a noticeable faux pas. Food connoisseurs hold people who pronounce it right in high regard.
Coupon
There is a debate surrounding this one. Many Americans say “KOO-pon,” while others opt for “KYOO-pon.” Experts in linguistics lean toward “KOO-pon.” This divide reflects regional variations, but adhering to “KOO-pon” is ideal for widely understood communication.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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