Can You Spell These 20 English Words That Most People Cannot?
by CarolynBF
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No doubt about it—spelling is tough. For example, why is there a b in “doubt”? And why is there a g in “tough”? Spell checkers and autofill can be helpful, but you’ll be better off if you gain a solid mastery of spelling, just in case you have to write something by hand, with a pen or pencil, on actual paper. Want to see if you can spell 20 words that many people have trouble with? Imagine the sense of acomp … accomplishment … you’ll feel if you can spell them all! Let’s get started.
1: What’s the proper spelling for something strange or supernatural?
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“Weird” is a weird word. Just remember that it is a weird exception to the “i before e, except after c” rule. By the way, the word was spelled “wyrd” in Old English.
2: How would you spell the green flowering vegetable that most kids hate?
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The word “broccoli” looks Italian, and so it is. It’s actually plural—in Italy, if you just have one, you have a “broccolo.” In the English-speaking world, however, it’s always broccoli, a noncount noun, no matter how many florets are on your plate.
3: What’s the correct spelling of this word that describes people who care about wealth?
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Technically, “bourgeois” means "middle class," but more recently the word has become associated with capitalism, wealth, and status. The slang term “bougie” comes from bourgeois, and it describes a person who pretends they have money in order to impress others.
4: How do you spell the word for what happens to fruits and veggies when you turn your blender on high speed?
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To “liquefy” something means to turn it into a liquid, but the word is not spelled with a “qui.” You’ll have to memorize the proper spelling for this one.
5: Which word describes William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and Samuel Beckett?
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A “wright” is a person who makes or builds something, so a “playwright” builds plays. Don’t confuse “wright” with “write”—the similarity is just an inconvenient coincidence.
6: How should you spell that vivid purplish-red color?
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“Fuchsia” is not spelled the way it sounds, so it throws people off. Try to remember that the fuchsia plant was named for a botanist, Leonhart Fuchs. If you can keep his surname in mind, you should be able to spell the color correctly next time.
7: How would you spell the word for an ancient Egyptian leader?
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We use the word “pharaoh” to describe an ancient Egyptian king or queen, but it was not an official title at the time. The word actually means “great house,” particularly the royal palace. The Egyptians believed that their pharaoh, or monarch, could communicate with the gods, and after death they would become a divine being.
8: Will you get into some playful trouble while spelling this word?
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Try to remember that “mischievous” is spelled with only two i’s, like the two eyes that are watching you when you cause mischief. Also, pronounce the word to yourself as you spell it, with three syllables, not four.
9: We’re not calling you names, but can you spell this insulting word?
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Whether you’re describing a stupid person or a bar with weights, “dumbbell” has two b’s. Mentally separate the word into its two parts, "dumb" and "bell," and you’ll do just fine.
10: How would you spell this word for a set of questions, usually designed to gather statistics?
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This word, “questionnaire,” looks fancier than necessary, right? Just remember that the extra n gives it a fancy “aire.”
11: Certain organized patterns of movement or sound are described by what word?
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The word “rhythm” doesn’t even have a vowel, unless you count that sneaky y. Try to remember that just as rhythm does not require a melody, so the word “rhythm” does not require a vowel.
12: Their, they’re, or there: Which one is a possessive?
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Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings or spelling. These three common homophones trip many people up. “Their” is a possessive pronoun, as in “their books.” “They’re” is a contraction for “they are” or “they were.” “There” can mean either a place, as opposed to “here,” or a pronoun, as in “There are too many weird words in English.”
13: Jordin Sparks sang about No Air, but how do you spell the word that describes a space with no air?
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A “vacuum” is a space that has no air and no matter. It’s also a device that can suck the dirt out of your carpet. To remember the single c and double u, tell yourself that “Carpet is Uglier Underneath.”
14: What is the correct spelling for a puppet controlled by strings?
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Just think of the name “Marion,” and then add the “-ette” to make it seem smaller or more French. At a minimum, a marionette needs nine strings for realistic movement: one on each side of the head, one on each shoulder, each leg and each hand, and a single string at the base of the spine.
15: Could you please pass the mayo, and spell it while you’re at it?
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The etymology, or word origin, is murky for mayonnaise. Recipes vary, but in its simplest form mayonnaise is made with egg yolks, oil, and vinegar or lemon juice. If you’re worried about the spelling, stop at “mayo” when possible.
16: Feeling self-conscious? Spell this word!
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If you can remember to use two r’s and two s’s, you won’t be “embarrassed” the next time you need to spell the word. These days, it’s easy to rely on autofill or spell-check, but always proofread to avoid embarrassment in case your device misinterprets your intent.
17: Pay attention to detail while you choose the proper spelling of this word:
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There are some impressive vowel combos in this word. If you can think of the word “scientist,” it may help you spell the middle part. Also, many English words end in -ious, so keep that in mind as well. Be conscientious!
18: Can you spell this fancy word for a line?
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When you’re spelling “queue,” add a couple of extra vowels to represent the extra minutes you waste when you’re waiting in line. “Que” is a capitalized abbreviation for "Quebec." The word “cue” is “a signal to start something” or “a rod used to strike a ball in pool or billiards.”
19: How would you spell this word that comes up in geometry class or gymnastics?
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This word describes two lines that lie in the same plane but never meet. Keep in mind that the word “parallel” has parallel letters in the middle.
20: Can you spell the odd word that describes things related to a governor?
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Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator may be able to help you here, if you can think of him as a “gubernator.” It’s a real English word that means “ruler” or “governor.”
