A recent study has revealed the most commonly misspelled words across the United States, with a surprising entry topping the list in Wyoming: “beautiful,” KGAB AM 650 reports.
The report, published by the website wordunscrambler.pro, examined spelling-related search queries to determine which words Americans struggle with the most.
The researchers analyzed Google and Ahrefs data from January 1 to May 19, 2025, focusing on searches that began with phrases like “how do you spell” and “how to spell.” While the study’s national findings placed “definitely” as the most frequently misspelled word—searched 33,500 times—Wyoming’s results differed from the national trend.
Wyoming’s most commonly misspelled word, “beautiful,” did not make the overall US top ten, which also included:
Definitely – 33,500 searches
Separate – 30,000
Necessary – 29,000
Believe – 28,500
Through – 28,000
Gorgeous – 27,000
Neighbor – 25,500
Business – 24,200
Favorite – 23,000
Restaurant – 22,500
While the study doesn’t explain why “beautiful” topped the list in Wyoming, it’s possible that the word’s frequency in local use—perhaps to describe the state’s scenic landscapes—plays a role.
A spokesperson from wordunscrambler.pro shed light on why certain words prove so challenging:
“This year’s most misspelled words violate many phonics rules, include silent letters, have double letters, originate from other languages, or use tricky suffixes. Words like ‘through,’ ‘scissors,’ and ‘pneumonia’ all contain elements that defy predictable spelling patterns.”
The spokesperson also noted a broader trend that may contribute to the increase in spelling mistakes:
“The widespread use of autocorrect features on phones and computers has led to what some researchers call ‘digital amnesia.’ As we rely more on technology to catch our mistakes, our ability to remember correct spellings may be declining.”
