You might think you’re a good speller, but these tricky words could be ruining your reputation.
You’d be shocked how many people get these words wrong—and yes, it’s embarrassing. No one wants to look less intelligent than they really are, but misspelling certain words can give off that exact vibe.
Even the smartest among us fall into these traps, and it’s not always about education—it’s about those pesky little words that sneak up on you. If you’ve ever felt the sting of a red squiggly line, this list is here to save your reputation.
1. Definitely Will Definitely Trip You Up
This word is infamous for making even the best spellers pause. It’s not “definately” or “definatly,” though so many people type it that way in a rush. The trick? Think of “finite” hidden inside it—because spelling it wrong might feel like an infinite embarrassment. Once you’ve got “definitely” down, you’ll wonder how you ever struggled with it.
2. Accommodate Has Enough Letters to Confuse Anyone
Here’s a hint: there are two sets of double letters in this one—double “c” and double “m.” Miss one, and suddenly, your word looks awkward. “Accomodate” and “acommodate” are some of the most common mistakes. Just think of it as generously “accommodating” all those extra letters. Practice it a few times, and soon, it’ll be burned into your brain for good.
3. Separate Might Just Separate You from Good Spelling
It’s easy to mess this one up because “seperate” looks perfectly fine to the eye. But nope, according to Merriam-Webster, there’s an “a” in there that makes all the difference. The trick? Think of the phrase “there’s a rat in separate.” Once you see it that way, you’ll never spell it wrong again. Trust me, this is a life hack you’ll actually use.
4. Their Always Confuses Them
The classic mix-up: “their,” “there,” and “they’re.” This one might haunt you forever unless you nail down its meaning. “Their” shows ownership—like their spelling errors. A quick tip? Imagine replacing it with “my” or “our.” If that works, you’re using it right. You don’t want to be the person who confuses this word in an email—it’s a surefire way to look sloppy.
5. Receive Catches Everyone with the “I Before E” Rule
You’ve probably heard “I before E except after C,” but this word seems to exist just to test your memory. Forgetting that simple rule can lead to cringe-worthy mistakes like “recieve.” When in doubt, remember that receiving compliments on your perfect spelling feels pretty great. A little practice with this one goes a long way.
6. Embarrass Will Embarrass You If You’re Not Careful
Double “r,” double “s”—and endless confusion. Miss one set of doubles, and you’ve got “embarass,” which ironically, can be pretty embarrassing. Just think of it as twice the letters, twice the fun—except when you forget them. Writing it down a few times can help lock it in your memory, so you never have to feel awkward about it again.
7. Calendar Isn’t “Calender” No Matter How You Say It
For some reason, people love swapping the “a” and “e” in this word. But here’s the deal: it’s always “calendar,” with the “a” securely in the middle. Think of the “ar” at the end as your alarm for spelling it right. It’s a small detail, but getting it wrong can make a big impression—especially on those reading over your shoulder.
8. Mischievous Isn’t as Mischievous as It Looks
The pronunciation trips people up, making them spell it as “mischievious.” But here’s the secret: there’s no extra “i” after the “v.” It’s pronounced “mis-chuh-vuhs,” and once you hear it correctly, spelling it right feels a lot easier. Practice saying it the proper way, and your spelling skills will follow.
9. Necessary Is the Word You’ll Always Double-Check
This word has a rhythm to it, but missing one “c” or “s” will throw you off entirely. A quick trick? Think of the phrase “never eat cake, eat salad sandwiches always.” The first letters spell it out for you perfectly. Now you’ll never have to hesitate when writing it down.
10. Beginning Starts with Double “N” for a Reason
People love dropping an “n” when spelling this word, making it “begining.” But here’s the trick: think of the word “begin” and just add “ning” with double “n.” It’s a small detail, but it makes all the difference. With a little practice, you’ll start getting it right without even thinking about it.
11. Privilege Isn’t as Privileged as It Looks
The missing “i” in “privlege” is one of the most common mistakes people make. To get it right, think of it as something “private” that you have a “leg” up on—both ideas are hiding inside the word. Once you see it that way, you’ll never drop the extra letters again.
12. Friend Won’t Let You Down If You Remember This
The “i” and “e” in “friend” often get mixed up, but here’s a trick: a true friend will always stick by your “side”—just like the “i” sticks by the “e.” It’s a small reminder that makes a big difference. With this in mind, you’ll be spelling it perfectly in no time.
13. Rhythm Makes You Feel Out of Sync
This word has no vowels, which throws off even the most confident spellers. It’s like a tricky beat in a song—it takes a minute to master. But once you remember “rhy” at the start and “thm” at the end, it starts to feel more natural. Keep it in your mental playlist, and you’ll always stay in rhythm.