Think You Can Spell? These Words Might Prove You Wrong

At first glance, English may seem fairly simple, especially for native speakers. However, its intricacies make it more challenging to master than one might assume. Even those who have spoken the language their entire lives find certain words tricky. After all, English is rife with opportunities for confusion. Homophones - words that sound identical yet have different spellings and meanings - trip up even the most seasoned writers from time to time.

Case in point: the frequently misspelled word "misspelled" itself. Moreover, divergences between American and British spelling standards only add complexity; for instance, "colorful" and "colourful" sock preferences across the pond.

Homophones aren't the only words that are often misspelled. Americans sometimes even spell the names of states incorrectly, particularly those with complicated backgrounds – this is how each state got its name.

To compile a list of the top misspelled words in English, 24/7 Tempo reviewed various online articles, and resources, including dictionaries. Many of these words are used in everyday conversations while others, like Bellwether, are only used in certain circumstances.

English' abundance of silent letters, odd rules, and ample inconsistencies give spellers of all levels a lot of trouble.

Accommodate is often misspelled with one “c” and/or one “m.” We won’t accommodate either.

Apparently, apparently is sometimes misspelled as apparantly.

This is often misspelled as arguement, but let’s not argue over that.

These homonyms have related meanings: aural refers to the ear or hearing and oral to the mouth or speaking.

People sometimes take a shot at spelling assassination with only three “s’s” instead of four.

People sometimes make a basic mistake with this one and spell it basicly.

According to Google, this is the most common “how to spell” search in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin in 2018.

According to Google, this is the most common “how to spell” search in South Carolina.

This word, meaning an indicator or predictor, has nothing to do with the weather, but is often misspelled with an “a.”

Bizarre means strikingly unconventional. It’s not just unconventional to spell it bizzare — it’s plain wrong.

Calendar has two “a’s” and one “e,” not one “a” and two “e’s”

People in Maryland and Oklahoma aren’t sure how to spell canceled, according to Google Trends. And while one “l” is the preferred spelling in America, thanks to Noah Webster, two are still acceptable and more common in Britain.

Caribbean has one “r” and two “b’s” — make sure you get it right when you’re booking your vacation.

According to Google Trends, this was the most common “how to spell” search in South Dakota. Sounds a bit ominous.

This state is misspelled so often, a character in the Woody Allen movie “Small Time Crooks” said, “I’ve always wanted to learn how to spell Connecticut.”

This was the most common “how to spell” search in Kansas in 2018, according to Google Trends. What would Dorothy make of that?

It’s family first in Alabama. According to Google Trends, cousin was the most common “how to spell” search in the state in 2018. The confusion apparently stems from the silent “o.”

People often confuse desert, the sandy place, and dessert, the sweet treat. The difference is only an “s,” but with desert, the first syllable is stressed, and with dessert, the second.

This word creates a dilemma for some people, who spell it with an “n” instead of two “m’s”

You’ll disappoint your English teacher if you spell this with two “s’s” and one “p.”

This one is a bit morbid. According to Google, dying is the most common “how to spell” search in Rhode Island (which is among the states with the highest premature death rate).

To spare you embarrassment, this word has two “r’s” and two “s’s.”

You don’t have to agonize over ecstasy — there’s one “c” and two “s’s,” not the other way round, and certainly no “x.”

There’s no need to get hot and bothered over this — there are two “h’s” in Fahrenheit.

A fiancé is a man who is engaged to be married, a fiancée is a woman who is engaged to be married. And both have an accent, reflecting their French origin.

Bright people know there’s a “u” in fluorescent.

It’s a simple word, but it’s easy enough to see why people might get this one wrong — four has a “u” but forty doesn’t.

According to Google Trends, this word of French origin meaning appetizer was the most common “how to spell” search in Florida in 2018.

Don’t let this word bother you — harass has one “r” and two “s’s.”

Even residents aren’t always sure how to spell Massachusetts correctly. In 2016 it was the most common “how to spell” search in the state itself, according to Google.

People often leave out an “l” and/or an “n” from this word. Let’s hope Millennials get it right.

With two “p’s,” three “i’s” and four “s’s,” it’s easy to see why Mississippi might often be misspelled.

Ironically, misspelled is often misspelled as mispelled.

This word looks simple enough that it shouldn’t keep you up at night. According to Google, however, nocturnal was the most common “how to spell” search in Nebraska in 2018.

People don’t always notice that there should be an “e” in the middle of this word.

Whatever the occasion, people aren’t sure if there’s one “c” or two, and one “s” or two.

It’s a common occurrence for people to omit a “c” and/or an “r” from this word.

According to Google, this was the most common “how to spell” search in Washington, D.C. in 2018. Perhaps that’s because there aren’t term limits for members of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

This was the most common “how to spell” search in New York, New Jersey, and Colorado in 2018, according to Google. Google did not include an accent, so did Google/searchers mean the verb to begin again (resume) or curriculum vitae (resumé)? And an accent on one “e,” both “e’s,” or neither is acceptable.

Sincerely, this was the most common “how to spell” search in Connecticut in 2018, according to Google.

It’s easy to see why people might be unsure how to spell supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. It was the most common “how to spell” search in six states. However, it does beg the question: How often do they need to use it?

This word is often misspelled with just two “t’s.” What’s more, tattoos featuring spelling mistakes are a popular meme.

You should resist the tendency to spell this with an “a.”

There’s only one “h” in the middle of threshold.

Don’t put this off till another day — tomorrow has one “m” and two “r’s.”

Believe me — true has an “e” but truly doesn’t.

People misspell this word with two “c’s” and one “u,” and sometimes with an “e” for good measure.

According to Google, this was the most common “how to spell” search in Alaska in 2018.

It may seem weird, but people often spell this with the “i” before the “e.”

According to Google, this was the most common “how to spell” search in North Dakota in 2018 — curious, since it’s a completely landlocked state.