The English language has a lot of silent letters. Silent letters cause difficulties for both native speakers and English learners, because they make the spelling of words different from their pronunciation.
Here are some common English words with silent letters from A to Z!
Silent A
artistically, logically, musically, romantically, stoically
Silent B
climb, comb, crumbs, debt, doubt, numb, subtle, thumb, tomb
Silent C
acquire, muscle, scissors
Silent D
Wednesday, sandwich, handsome, edge, bridge
Silent E
hate, name, like, breathe
Silent F
(no words)
Silent G
sign, champagne, gnaw, high, light, reign, though, through
Silent H
honest, ghost, heir, hour, what, whether
Silent I
business
Silent J
(no words)
Silent K
knead, knife, knight, knock, knot, know
Silent L
would, should, calf, half, salmon, talk, yolk
Silent M
mnemonic
Silent N
autumn, column, condemn, damn, hymn, solemn
Silent O
colonel
Silent P
corps, coup, pneumonia, psychology, receipt
Silent Q
(no words)
Silent R
(no words in American English. However, British English has some silent Rs)
Silent S
aisle, island, debris, apropos, bourgeois
Silent T
asthma, ballet, castle, gourmet, listen, rapport, ricochet, soften
Silent U
colleague, guess, guard, guide, guilt, guitar, tongue
Silent V
(no words)
Silent W
answer, sword, two, whole, wrist, write, who
Silent X
faux pas
Faux pas is a word of French origin. It means a “social mistake” or “inconsiderate action in a social situation.” Example: “Not inviting his mother-in-law to the party was a serious faux pas.”
Silent Y
(no words)
Silent Z
rendezvous
Rendezvous is another word of French origin, meaning “a meeting or appointment at a specified time and place.” Alternatively, it can mean “place of meeting.” Example: “Bob and I have planned a rendezvous this weekend so that our families can get to know each other.”
Get a free e-book when you sign up for English lessons by e-mail:
