50 Hardest words to spell with meaning

50 Hardest words to spell with meaning

50 Hardest words to spell with meaning

Here are 50 difficult English words to spell, along with their meanings and an example sentence for each. Learning these words will improve both your spelling and your vocabulary.

No.WordMeaningExample Sentence
1AccommodateTo provide enough space or helpThis hotel can accommodate 500 guests.
2AcknowledgmentRecognition or acceptance of somethingShe received an acknowledgment for her hard work.
3EmbarrassmentA feeling of shame or awkwardnessForgetting his speech caused great embarrassment.
4ConscientiousCareful and responsibleShe is a conscientious student.
5MiscellaneousMade up of different kinds of thingsThe drawer contained miscellaneous items.
6EntrepreneurA person who starts a businessHe became a successful entrepreneur.
7QuestionnaireA list of questions for gathering informationPlease complete the questionnaire.
8RecommendTo suggest somethingI recommend this book.
9PronunciationThe way a word is spokenYour pronunciation is improving.
10MillenniumA period of 1,000 yearsWe entered a new millennium in 2001.
11OccasionA special eventIt was a joyful occasion.
12SupersedeTo replace something olderThe new law will supersede the old one.
13RhythmA regular pattern of soundsMusic has a beautiful rhythm.
14NecessaryRequired or neededWater is necessary for life.
15MaintenanceThe process of keeping something in good conditionCar maintenance is important.
16ExaggerateTo make something seem larger or more importantDon't exaggerate the story.
17BureaucracyA system of government officesThe bureaucracy delayed the project.
18DefinitelyWithout any doubtI will definitely attend.
19SeparateTo divide into partsPlease separate the papers.
20PrivilegeA special advantage or rightEducation is a privilege.
21PossessionSomething ownedThe house is his possession.
22LiaisonCommunication between groupsShe acts as a liaison officer.
23CalendarA chart showing days and monthsCheck your calendar.
24CemeteryA place where people are buriedThey visited the cemetery.
25CaribbeanThe sea and islands in that regionWe traveled to the Caribbean.
26PerseveranceContinued effort despite difficultiesSuccess requires perseverance.
27DisciplineSelf-control or trainingGood discipline leads to success.
28IntelligenceAbility to learn and understandHer intelligence impressed everyone.
29UnnecessaryNot neededThat expense was unnecessary.
30SophisticatedHighly developed or advancedThis is a sophisticated machine.
31ParallelSide by side and equal distance apartThe roads are parallel.
32VacuumA space without airSpace is nearly a vacuum.
33PharaohAncient Egyptian kingThe Pharaoh built great monuments.
34PsychologyThe study of the mindShe studies psychology.
35ConscienceInner sense of right and wrongHis conscience bothered him.
36RestaurantA place where meals are servedWe ate at a restaurant.
37JewelryDecorative objects worn on the bodyShe bought beautiful jewelry.
38OccasionA particular eventBirthdays are special occasions.
39GuaranteeA promise that something will happenI guarantee your satisfaction.
40WeirdStrange or unusualThat was a weird dream.
41NeighborA person living nearbyMy neighbor is very friendly.
42ForeignFrom another countryShe speaks several foreign languages.
43FebruaryThe second month of the yearMy birthday is in February.
44ColonelA high military rankThe colonel gave orders.
45MischievousCausing playful troubleThe mischievous child smiled.
46ArchaeologyStudy of ancient civilizationsArchaeology reveals history.
47PneumoniaA serious lung infectionHe recovered from pneumonia.
48OnomatopoeiaA word that imitates a sound"Buzz" is an onomatopoeia.
49IdiosyncrasyA unique habit or characteristicEveryone has an idiosyncrasy.
50FloccinaucinihilipilificationThe act of considering something worthlessThe critic's floccinaucinihilipilification of the novel was controversial.

Tips to Remember Difficult Spellings

  • Accommodate2 c's, 2 m's
  • Necessary1 c, 2 s's
  • Separate"par" is in the middle
  • Embarrassment2 r's, 2 s's
  • Definitelydefinite + ly (not definately)
  • Rhythm → Remember: RHYTHM = Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move
  • Questionnaire → Ends with -naire
  • Millennium2 n's, 2 l's
  • Mischievous → Ends with -ous, not -ious
  • Onomatopoeia → Break it into syllables: on-o-mat-o-poe-ia

Practice Challenge

Cover the "Word" column and try to spell each word from its meaning. Then check your answer. Repeating this exercise several times is one of the best ways to master difficult spellings.