“Peony” and 15 More Commonly Mispronounced English Words
Unsplash: Charlotte Harrison
A New Year marks new beginning. Therefore,mistakesof the past should no longer be rehashed for this new chapter. That includes mispronouncing words. To be fair, we all (both native speakers and second-language speakers) have mispronounced many, many words. And that is totally okay because sometimes words are really, really finicky, that their “correct pronunciation” is not that easy. Also, there is no such thing as "perfect pronunciation," as everyone pronounces a word or two slightly differently, regardless of their background or level of fluency in a language. ”
To those who are struggling with English pronunciation, don’t stress and don’t worry. Because even native English speakers have trouble pronouncing words. Yes, it is true that native English speakers even have issues pronouncing words. Check this list to find out which words made the list of frequently mispronounced English words and learn how to pronounce them correctly.
1. Worcestershire
What not to say: wor-ses-ter-shire
What to say: woos-ter-sher
Definition: (noun) a type of sauce made in Worcester which is a city of Worcestershire, England
2. Mischievous
What not to say:mis-cheev-yee-ous
What to say: mis-chiv-ous
Definition: (adjective) someone or something that causes trouble
3. Forte
What not to say: fort
What to say: for-tay
Definition: (noun) something that someone is an expert of; (adverb)
something played loudly
4. Sherbet
What not to say: sher-bert
What to say: sher-bet
Definition: (noun) frozen dairy dessert
5. Cache
What not to say: ca-shay
What to say: cash
Definition: (noun) anything that is hidden; (noun) a hiding place for stuff; (verb) to hide
6. Foliage
What not to say: foil-age
What to say: foh-li-age
Definition: (noun) a bunch of leaves and branches for decoration; (noun) leaves and branches
7. Mauve
What not to say: mawv
What to say: maav
Definition: (adjective) a shade of light purple
8. Prerogative
What not to say: pe-ro-ga-tiv
What to say: pre-ro-ga-tive
Definition: (noun) a right to something; (adjective) exercising a right or a privilege
9. Probably
What not to say: pro-bly
What to say: pro-bab-ly
Definition: (adverb) something that is very likely
10. Epitome
What not to say: eh-pee-towm
What to say: eh-pih-toh-me
Definition: a perfect example of something
11. Silicon
What not to say: sih-lih-cone
What to say: si-lih-ken
Definition: (noun) a nonmetallic, gray element used in making electronic circuits
12. Moot
What not to say: mute
What to say: moot
Definition: (adjective) debatable; (noun) a meeting organized for a discussion; (verb) to bring something up for a debate
13. Mayonnaise
What not to say: may-nase
What to say: may-oh-nase
Definition: (noun) a creamy, thick, white condiment made from egg yolks, oil, and vinegar
14. Cupboard
What not to say: cup-board
What to say: cuh-bird
Definition: furniture that holds items
15. Peony
What not to say: peh–yo-nee
What to say: pee-uh-nee
Definition: a flowering plant
16. Salmon
What not to say: sal-mon
What to say: sah-mon
Definition: a type of fish