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Writer's pictureSteve Gamel

15 Words That Are Hard to Spell

Updated: Jul 18, 2019



Stop Confusing Everyone

What's the one word in the English language that you misspell the most?


I received quite a few responses to that question on our Edit This® Facebook page yesterday – even from friends who chose to text me rather than respond directly to the post. I appreciate the feedback, and I imagine it was difficult for many of you to narrow your response to just ONE word. It certainly was for me!


Even after all these years as a professional writer and editor, there are more words out there that I stumble on than I care to admit. It often takes slowing down my typing or even spelling the word out loud as I type to make sure I get it right.


Two words that spring to mind are accommodate and liaison.

Below are 15 difficult words to spell according to the responses:

* Maintenance

* Nauseous

* Rhythm

* Available

* Entrepreneur

* Silhouette

* Separate

* Restaurant

* Occurred

* Pronunciation

* Speechless

* Performance

* Conscience

* Recommend

* Occasionally


Again, thanks to those who chimed in. Here is a post from Oxford Dictionaries on 23 difficult words to spell. It's a cool list and includes a few of the words mentioned above. Also, check out this conversation I had with my wife before I sat down to write this blog.


Me: "Another word I've struggled with is speechless!"

My wife: "What?! How can you possibly spell that wrong?"

Me: "OK, spell it."

My wife: "S.P.E.A.C.H.L.E.S.S."

Me: "Ummm, wrong. It's S.P.E.E.C.H.L.E.S.S."

My wife: "Oh ... well ... I guess I'm speechless."


If you enjoyed this blog, here's an earlier one we did on 20 words that aren't spelled like they sound. Give us a LIKE on Facebook and follow us at @EditThis_ on Twitter.

Thanks for reading!

*STEVE GAMEL is the Owner/President of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company located in Denton, TX. Along with being a sports writer for the Denton Record-Chronicle, Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.

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