Experts reveal the most mispronounced words of 2025 and some may surprise you
Topics: News, World News
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: News, World News
An expert has revealed some of the most mispronounced words of the year, and it is amazing which words have made the list.
When it comes to speaking, most people do their best to pronounce words correctly. I mean, it is basically how we are able to communicate and understand one another.
But as we come to the end of the year, it is both fascinating and amusing to learn what words people have been saying incorrectly.
Noël Wolf, linguistic and cultural expert at Babbel, spoke to the Mail Online and highlighted which words made the cut.
Advert
She also emphasized the importance of learning how to say words correctly, even if they feel alien or foreign.
She said: “This year's list is marked by global news moments, viral songs and headline–making medical terminology. Each has slipped into daily conversation while bringing its own pronunciation puzzle.
“Approaching these unfamiliar words with curiosity and confidence makes a real difference.
“Much like learning a new language, getting pronunciation right deepens communication and strengthens our connection to cultures behind the words.”
So, what words have people been mispronouncing? Well, some of them are understandable, and others are actually quite surprising.
Working with the British Institute of Verbatim Reporters (BIVR), the Mail got the lowdown on how to pronounce each of the words perfectly.
While it is a little surprising to see well-known actor Denzel Washington on the list, some make more sense due to them not being native to English.
The Glyndŵr National Park is named for a new national park in north–east Wales.
Typical mispronunciations include 'Glin–dower' and 'Glin–doer', but it is actually pronounced 'glyn–DOOR'.
The word 'Knafeh', which is linked to the viral Dubai pistachio chocolate bar, is pronounced 'cah–NEFF–eh'.
The Louvre Museum in Paris shot to headlines around the world after a successful heist earlier this year, but it is still often mispronounced.
This saw some reporters covering the story over–enunciate the silent 're' on the end when the correct pronunciation sees the 'ruh' have a very soft sound, almost like 'LOOV' with a faint ending.
Éowyn, the UK's first major storm of 2025, was named by the Met Office and also caused some confusion, but was unlikely to have been an issue for any Lord of the Rings fans.
Now, be honest. Do you always pronounce each one of these correctly?