The Top 255 Hardest English Words to Pronounce and Spell list is quite the eye-opener. It shows us how complex English is, mainly because it borrows so much from other languages. This list is not just a test for learners but also for people who’ve spoken English all their lives. By looking at these tough words, we see the quirky sides of English. It makes you think about how these tricky words affect our everyday talks and the whole language scene.
Top 255 Hardest English Words to Pronounce and Spell
Serial | Word | Pronunciation | Description/Definition |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Abacinate | ə-ˈba-sə-ˌnāt | To blind by putting a hot copper basin near eyes |
2 | Abnegation | ab-ni-ˈgā-shən | Renunciation of a belief or doctrine |
3 | Abscond | ab-ˈskänd | To leave hurriedly and secretly |
4 | Abstruse | ab-ˈstrüs | Difficult to understand |
5 | Accede | ak-ˈsēd | Agree to a demand or request |
6 | Acquiesce | a-kwē-ˈes | Accept something reluctantly but without protest |
7 | Adumbrate | a-ˈdəm-ˌbrāt | To foreshadow vaguely |
8 | Aegis | ˈē-jis | Protection, backing, or support |
9 | Aesthetic | es-ˈthe-tik | Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty |
10 | Affidavit | a-fə-ˈdā-vit | A written statement confirmed by oath |
11 | Aggrandize | ə-ˈgran-ˌdīz | Increase the power, status, or wealth of |
12 | Alacrity | ə-ˈla-krə-tē | Brisk and cheerful readiness |
13 | Allochthonous | a-ˈläk-thə-nəs | Not indigenous; foreign |
14 | Ameliorate | ə-ˈmēl-yə-ˌrāt | To make better or more tolerable |
15 | Anachronistic | ə-ˌna-krə-ˈni-stik | Belonging to a period other than that being portrayed |
16 | Anathema | ə-ˈna-thə-mə | Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes |
17 | Anfractuous | an-ˈfrak-chə-wəs | Full of twists and turns |
18 | Antediluvian | an-ti-də-ˈlü-vē-ən | Of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood |
19 | Antipathy | an-ˈti-pə-thē | A deep-seated feeling of dislike |
20 | Aphorism | a-fə-ˌri-zəm | A pithy observation that contains a general truth |
21 | Apocryphal | ə-ˈpä-krə-fəl | Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true |
22 | Apothegm | a-pə-ˌthem | A concise saying or maxim |
23 | Appoggiatura | ə-ˌpä-jə-ˈtu̇r-ə | A grace note which delays the next note of the melody |
24 | Appurtenance | ə-ˈpər-tə-nən(t)s | An accessory or other item associated with a particular activity or style of living |
25 | Archipelago | ˌär-kə-ˈpe-lə-ˌgō | A group of islands |
26 | Ascetic | ə-ˈse-tik | Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention |
27 | Assiduous | ə-ˈsi-jə-wəs | Showing great care and perseverance |
28 | Asthenosphere | as-ˈthe-nə-ˌsfir | The upper layer of the earth’s mantle, below the lithosphere |
29 | Atavistic | a-tə-ˈvi-stik | Relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral |
30 | Auspicious | ȯ-ˈspi-shəs | Conducive to success; favorable |
31 | Austere | ȯ-ˈstir | Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance |
32 | Autodidact | ȯ-tō-ˈdī-ˌdakt | A self-taught person |
33 | Avarice | ˈa-və-rəs | Extreme greed for wealth or material gain |
34 | Bailiwick | ˈbā-lē-ˌwik | One’s sphere of operations or particular area of interest |
35 | Balustrade | ˈba-lə-ˌstrād | A railing supported by balusters |
36 | Bellwether | ˈbel-ˌwe-thər | An indicator or predictor of something |
37 | Bibliopole | ˈbi-blē-ə-ˌpōl | A person who buys and sells books, especially rare ones |
38 | Bilious | ˈbil-yəs | Affected by or associated with nausea or vomiting |
39 | Blandishment | ˈblan-dish-mənt | A flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something |
40 | Blatherskite | ˈbla-thər-ˌskīt | A person who talks at great length without making much sense |
41 | Bombastic | bäm-ˈbas-tik | High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated |
42 | Brobdingnagian | ˌbräb-diŋ-ˈna-gē-ən | Gigantic |
43 | Buccaneer | ˌbə-kə-ˈnir | A pirate, originally off the Spanish-American coasts |
44 | Bumfuzzle | ˈbəm-ˌfə-zəl | To confuse; perplex |
45 | Byzantine | ˈbi-zən-ˌtīn | Excessively complicated, typically involving a great deal of administrative detail |
46 | Cachinnate | ˈka-ki-ˌnāt | To laugh loudly |
47 | Cacophony | ka-ˈkä-fə-nē | A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds |
48 | Cadre | ˈka-drē | A small group of people specially trained for a particular purpose or profession |
49 | Calumniate | kə-ˈləm-nē-ˌāt | To make false and defamatory statements about |
50 | Carapace | ˈka-rə-ˌpās | The hard upper shell of a turtle, crustacean, or arachnid |
51 | Casuistry | ˈkazh-wə-strē | The use of clever but unsound reasoning, especially in relation to moral questions |
52 | Catamaran | ˌka-tə-mə-ˈran | A yacht or other boat with twin hulls in parallel |
53 | Catechize | ˈka-tə-ˌkīz | Instruct (someone) in the principles of Christian religion by means of question and answer |
54 | Cavalcade | ˌka-vəl-ˈkād | A formal procession of people walking, on horseback, or riding in vehicles |
55 | Celerity | sə-ˈler-ə-tē | Swiftness of movement |
56 | Cenotaph | ˈse-nə-ˌtaf | A tomblike monument to someone buried elsewhere |
57 | Cerebration | ˌser-ə-ˈbrā-shən | The working of the brain; thinking |
58 | Chiaroscuro | kē-ˌä-rə-ˈskyȯr-ō | The treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting |
59 | Chicanery | shi-ˈkān-rē | The use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose |
60 | Chimera | kī-ˈmir-ə | A thing that is hoped or wished for but in fact is illusory or impossible to achieve |
61 | Chirography | kī-ˈrä-grə-fē | Handwriting, especially as distinct from typography |
62 | Churlish | ˈchər-lish | Rude in a mean-spirited and surly way |
63 | Clandestine | klan-ˈde-stən | Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit |
64 | Coagulate | kō-ˈa-gyə-ˌlāt | Change to a solid or semisolid state |
65 | Cognoscenti | ˌkäg-nə-ˈshen-tē | People who are considered to be especially well informed about a particular subject |
66 | Commensurate | kə-ˈmen-sə-rət | Corresponding in size or degree; in proportion |
67 | Commination | ˌkä-mə-ˈnā-shən | A threat of punishment or vengeance |
68 | Compendium | kəm-ˈpen-dē-əm | A collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject |
69 | Concatenate | kən-ˈka-tə-ˌnāt | Link (things) together in a chain or series |
70 | Concomitant | kən-ˈkä-mə-tənt | Naturally accompanying or associated |
71 | Conflagration | ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən | An extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property |
72 | Conglomerate | kən-ˈglä-mə-ˌrāt | A number of different things or parts that are put or grouped together to form a whole but remain distinct entities |
73 | Connoisseur | ˌkä-nə-ˈsər | An expert judge in matters of taste |
74 | Consternation | ˌkän(t)-stər-ˈnā-shən | Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected |
75 | Contretemps | ˈkän-trə-ˌtäⁿ | A minor dispute or disagreement |
76 | Contrivance | kən-ˈtrī-vəns | A thing that is created skillfully and inventively to serve a particular purpose |
77 | Contumacious | ˌkän-tü-ˈmā-shəs | Stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority |
78 | Convalesce | ˌkän-və-ˈles | Recover one’s health and strength over a period of time after an illness or operation |
79 | Copacetic | ˌkō-pə-ˈse-tik | In excellent order |
80 | Corpulent | ˈkȯr-pyə-lənt | Fat |
81 | Coruscate | ˈkȯr-ə-ˌskāt | Flash or sparkle |
82 | Cosmogony | käz-ˈmä-gə-nē | The branch of science that deals with the origin of the universe, especially the solar system |
83 | Coxcomb | ˈkäks-ˌkōm | A vain and conceited man; a dandy |
84 | Crystalline | ˈkri-stə-lən | Having the structure and form of a crystal; composed of crystals |
85 | Cunctation | ˌkəŋ(k)-ˈtā-shən | Delay |
86 | Cupidity | kyü-ˈpi-də-tē | Greed for money or possessions |
87 | Curmudgeon | ˌkər-ˈmə-jən | A bad-tempered or surly person |
88 | Cynosure | ˈsī-nə-ˌshu̇r | A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration |
89 | Dalliance | ˈda-lē-ən(t)s | A casual romantic or sexual relationship |
90 | Deleterious | ˌde-lə-ˈtir-ē-əs | Causing harm or damage |
91 | Demagogue | ˈde-mə-ˌgäg | A political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument |
92 | Denouement | ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmäⁿ | The final part of a play, film, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved |
93 | De rigueur | də-ˌrē-ˈgər | Required by etiquette or current fashion |
94 | Desuetude | ˈde-swi-ˌtüd | A state of disuse |
95 | Dichotomy | dī-ˈkä-tə-mē | A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different |
96 | Didactic | dī-ˈdak-tik | Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive |
97 | Dilatory | ˈdi-lə-ˌtȯr-ē | Slow to act |
98 | Discombobulate | ˌdis-kəm-ˈbä-byə-ˌlāt | To confuse |
99 | Disingenuous | ˌdis-in-ˈjen-yə-wəs | Not candid or sincere |
100 | Dissemble | di-ˈsem-bəl | Conceal one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs |
101 | Distaff | ˈdi-ˌstaf | A stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound for spinning |
102 | Dodecahedron | dō-ˌde-kə-ˈhē-drən | A three-dimensional shape having twelve plane faces |
103 | Doohickey | ˈdü-ˌhi-kē | A small object or gadget, especially one whose name the speaker does not know or cannot recall |
104 | Draconian | drā-ˈkō-nē-ən | Excessively harsh and severe |
105 | Dudgeon | ˈdə-jən | A feeling of offense or deep resentment |
106 | Dulcimer | ˈdəl-sə-mər | A musical instrument with a sounding board or box, typically trapezoidal in shape, over which are stretched metal strings that are struck with light hammers |
107 | Ebullient | i-ˈbu̇l-yənt | Cheerful and full of energy |
108 | Edacious | ē-ˈdā-shəs | Relating to or given to eating |
109 | Effervescent | ˌe-fər-ˈve-sənt | Giving off bubbles; fizzy |
110 | Effluvium | e-ˈflü-vē-əm | An unpleasant or harmful odor, secretion, or discharge |
111 | Egregious | i-ˈgrē-jəs | Outstandingly bad; shocking |
112 | Eleemosynary | ˌe-lə-ˈmä-sə-ˌner-ē | Relating to or dependent on charity |
113 | Emaciated | i-ˈmā-shē-ˌā-təd | Abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food |
114 | Emblazon | im-ˈblā-zən | Conspicuously inscribe or display (a design) on something |
115 | Emollient | i-ˈmäl-yənt | Having the quality of softening or soothing the skin |
116 | Encomium | en-ˈkō-mē-əm | A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly |
117 | Enervate | ˈe-nər-ˌvāt | Cause (someone) to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken |
118 | Ennui | än-ˈwē | A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement |
119 | Ephemeral | i-ˈfe-mə-rəl | Lasting for a very short time |
120 | Epicurean | ˌe-pi-kyu̇-ˈrē-ən | Devoted to sensual enjoyment, especially that derived from fine food and drink |
121 | Epiphany | i-ˈpi-fə-nē | A moment of sudden revelation or insight |
122 | Epitome | i-ˈpi-tə-mē | A person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type |
123 | Equanimity | ˌē-kwə-ˈni-mə-tē | Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation |
124 | Ersatz | ˈer-ˌsäts | Made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else |
125 | Erstwhile | ˈərst-ˌhwīl | Former |
126 | Esoteric | ˌe-sə-ˈter-ik | Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest |
127 | Ethereal | i-ˈthir-ē-əl | Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world |
128 | Etiolate | ˈē-tē-ə-ˌlāt | To make pale or sickly |
129 | Evanescent | ˌe-və-ˈne-sənt | Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing |
130 | Exacerbate | i-ˈza-sər-ˌbāt | Make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse |
131 | Execrable | ˈek-si-krə-bəl | Extremely bad or unpleasant |
132 | Exiguous | i-ˈzi-gyə-wəs | Very small in size or amount |
133 | Exonerate | ig-ˈzä-nə-ˌrāt | Absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing |
134 | Expatiate | ik-ˈspā-shē-ˌāt | Speak or write at length or in detail |
135 | Expiate | ˈek-spē-ˌāt | Atone for (guilt or sin) |
136 | Expostulate | ik-ˈspäs-chə-ˌlāt | Express strong disapproval or disagreement |
137 | Extraneous | ik-ˈstrā-nē-əs | Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with |
138 | Facetious | fə-ˈsē-shəs | Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor |
139 | Fait accompli | ˌfe-tə-ˌkäm-ˈplē | A thing that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept |
140 | Fatuous | ˈfa-chü-əs | Silly and pointless |
141 | Feckless | ˈfek-ləs | Lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible |
142 | Felicitous | fi-ˈli-sə-təs | Well chosen or suited to the circumstances |
143 | Feral | ˈfer-əl | In a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication |
144 | Fiasco | fē-ˈa-skō | A complete failure, especially a ludicrous or humiliating one |
145 | Filibuster | ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-stər | An action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly |
146 | Flabbergast | ˈfla-bər-ˌgast | Surprise (someone) greatly; astonish |
147 | Flummox | ˈflə-məks | Perplex (someone) greatly |
148 | Fortuitous | fȯr-ˈtü-ə-təs | Happening by accident or chance rather than design |
149 | Fracas | ˈfrā-kəs | A noisy disturbance or quarrel |
150 | Frangible | ˈfran-jə-bəl | Fragile; brittle |
151 | Fulgent | ˈfu̇l-jənt | Shining brightly |
152 | Fulminate | ˈfu̇l-mə-ˌnāt | Express vehement protest |
153 | Furtive | ˈfər-tiv | Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble |
154 | Gadfly | ˈgad-ˌflī | A fly that bites livestock, especially a horsefly, warble fly, or botfly |
155 | Gainsay | ˈgān-ˌsā | Deny or contradict (a fact or statement) |
156 | Gallimaufry | ˌga-lə-ˈmȯ-frē | A confused jumble or medley of things |
157 | Gargantuan | gär-ˈgan(t)-shə-wən | Enormous |
158 | Gasconade | ˌga-skə-ˈnād | Extravagant boasting |
159 | Gauche | ˈgōsh | Lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward |
160 | Gerrymander | ˈjer-ē-ˌman-dər | Manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class |
161 | Gibbous | ˈgi-bəs | (Of the moon) having the observable illuminated part greater than a semicircle and less than a circle |
162 | Glabrous | ˈglā-brəs | Free from hair or down; smooth |
163 | Gobbledygook | ˈgä-bəl-dē-ˌgu̇k | Language that is meaningless or is made unintelligible by excessive use of abstruse technical terms; nonsense |
164 | Grandiloquent | gran-ˈdi-lə-kwənt | Pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress |
165 | Gravid | ˈgra-vəd | Pregnant; carrying eggs or young |
166 | Gregarious | gri-ˈger-ē-əs | (Of a person) fond of company; sociable |
167 | Gubernatorial | ˌgü-bər-nə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl | Relating to a governor |
168 | Hackneyed | ˈhak-nēd | (Of a phrase or idea) lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite |
169 | Halcyon | ˈhal-sē-ən | Denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful |
170 | Harangue | hə-ˈraŋ | A lengthy and aggressive speech |
171 | Hegemony | hi-ˈje-mə-nē | Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others |
172 | Heinous | ˈhā-nəs | (Of a person or wrongful act, especially a crime) utterly odious or wicked |
173 | Heresy | ˈher-ə-sē | Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine |
174 | Heterodox | ˈhe-tə-rə-ˌdäks | Not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs |
175 | Hiatus | hī-ˈā-təs | A pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process |
176 | Hoary | ˈhȯr-ē | Grayish white |
177 | Homogeneous | ˌhō-mə-ˈjē-nē-əs | Of the same kind; alike |
178 | Hubris | ˈhyü-brəs | Excessive pride or self-confidence |
179 | Hyperbole | hī-ˈpər-bə-lē | Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally |
180 | Iconoclast | ī-ˈkä-nə-ˌklast | A person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions |
181 | Ignominious | ˌig-nə-ˈmi-nē-əs | Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame |
182 | Illustrious | i-ˈlə-strē-əs | Well known, respected, and admired for past achievements |
183 | Imbroglio | im-ˈbrō-lē-ˌō | An extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation |
184 | Impecunious | ˌim-pi-ˈkyü-nyəs | Having little or no money |
185 | Imperious | im-ˈpir-ē-əs | Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering |
186 | Inchoate | in-ˈkō-ət | Just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary |
187 | Incognito | ˌin-ˌkäg-ˈnē-(ˌ)tō | (Of a person) having one’s true identity concealed |
188 | Indefatigable | ˌin-di-ˈfa-ti-gə-bəl | (Of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly |
189 | Indomitable | in-ˈdä-mə-tə-bəl | Impossible to subdue or defeat |
190 | Ineffable | i-ˈne-fə-bəl | Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words |
191 | Ineluctable | ˌi-ni-ˈlək-tə-bəl | Unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable |
192 | Inimitable | i-ˈni-mə-tə-bəl | So good or unusual as to be impossible to copy; unique |
193 | Insouciant | in-ˈsü-sē-ənt | Showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent |
194 | Intelligentsia | in-ˌte-lə-ˈjen(t)-sē-ə | Intellectuals or highly educated people as a group, especially when regarded as possessing culture and political influence |
195 | Interlocutor | ˌin-tər-ˈlä-kyə-tər | A person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation |
196 | Intransigent | in-ˈtran(t)-sə-jənt | Unwilling or refusing to change one’s views or to agree about something |
197 | Invective | in-ˈvek-tiv | Insulting, abusive, or highly critical language |
198 | Invidious | in-ˈvi-dē-əs | (Of an action or situation) likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others |
199 | Irascible | i-ˈra-sə-bəl | Easily angered |
200 | Ironclad | ˈī-ərn-ˌklad | Covered or protected with iron |
201 | Jejune | ji-ˈjün | Naive, simplistic, and superficial |
202 | Juxtaposition | ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzi-shən | The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect |
203 | Kafkaesque | ˌkäf-kə-ˈesk | Characteristic or reminiscent of the oppressive or nightmarish qualities of Franz Kafka’s fictional world |
204 | Kerfuffle | kər-ˈfə-fəl | A commotion or fuss, especially one caused by conflicting views |
205 | Lachrymose | ˈla-krə-ˌmōs | Tearful or given to weeping |
206 | Lackadaisical | ˌla-kə-ˈdā-zi-kəl | Lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy |
207 | Languid | ˈlaŋ-gwid | (Of a person, manner, or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort |
208 | Largesse | lär-ˈzhes | Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others |
209 | Lassitude | ˈla-sə-ˌtüd | A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy |
210 | Legerdemain | ˌle-jər-də-ˈmān | Skillful use of one’s hands when performing conjuring tricks |
211 | Lethargy | ˈle-thər-jē | A lack of energy and enthusiasm |
212 | Libertine | ˈli-bər-ˌtēn | A person, especially a man, who freely indulges in sensual pleasures without regard to moral principles |
213 | Licentious | lī-ˈsen(t)-shəs | Promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters |
214 | Logorrhea | ˌlȯ-gə-ˈrē-ə | A tendency to extreme loquacity |
215 | Loquacious | lō-ˈkwā-shəs | Tending to talk a great deal; talkative |
216 | Lugubrious | lu̇-ˈgü-brē-əs | Looking or sounding sad and dismal |
217 | Lurid | ˈlu̇r-əd | Very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect |
218 | Magnanimous | mag-ˈna-nə-məs | Very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself |
219 | Maladroit | ˌma-lə-ˈdrȯit | Ineffective or bungling; clumsy |
220 | Malaise | ma-ˈlāz | A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify |
221 | Malevolent | mə-ˈle-və-lənt | Having or showing a wish to do evil to others |
222 | Malfeasance | mal-ˈfē-zən(t)s | Wrongdoing, especially by a public official |
223 | Malinger | mə-ˈliŋ-gər | Exaggerate or feign illness in order to escape duty or work |
224 | Martinet | ˌmär-tə-ˈnet | A strict disciplinarian, especially in the armed forces |
225 | Maudlin | ˈmȯd-lən | Self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness |
226 | Maverick | ˈma-və-rik | An unorthodox or independent-minded person |
227 | Mellifluous | mə-ˈli-flə-wəs | (Of a voice or words) sweet or musical; pleasant to hear |
228 | Mendacious | men-ˈdā-shəs | Not telling the truth; lying |
229 | Meretricious | ˌmer-ə-ˈtri-shəs | Apparently attractive but having in reality no value or integrity |
230 | Minatory | ˈmi-nə-ˌtȯr-ē | Expressing or conveying a threat |
231 | Miscreant | ˈmis-krē-ənt | A person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law |
232 | Mordant | ˈmȯr-dᵊnt | (Especially of humor) having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting |
233 | Munificent | myu̇-ˈni-fə-sənt | Larger or more generous than is usual or necessary |
234 | Myrmidon | ˈmər-mə-ˌdän | A follower or subordinate of a powerful person, typically one who is unscrupulous or carries out orders unquestioningly |
235 | Myriad | ˈmir-ē-əd | A countless or extremely great number |
236 | Nadir | ˈnā-ˌdir | The lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization |
237 | Nascent | ˈnā-sənt | (Especially of a process or organization) just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential |
238 | Nebulous | ˈne-byə-ləs | In the form of a cloud or haze; hazy |
239 | Nefarious | ni-ˈfer-ē-əs | (Typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal |
240 | Nefarious | ni-ˈfer-ē-əs | (Typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal |
241 | Neophyte | ˈnē-ə-ˌfīt | A person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief |
242 | Nescient | ˈne-shənt | Lacking knowledge; ignorant |
243 | Nihilism | ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌli-zəm | The rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless |
244 | Noisome | ˈnȯi-səm | Having an extremely offensive smell |
245 | Non sequitur | ˌnän-ˈse-kwə-tər | A conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement |
246 | Nonchalant | ˌnän-shə-ˈlänt | (Of a person or manner) feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm |
247 | Nostrum | ˈnä-strəm | A medicine, especially one that is not considered effective, prepared by an unqualified person |
248 | Noxious | ˈnäk-shəs | Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant |
249 | Nugatory | ˈnü-gə-ˌtȯr-ē | Of no value or importance |
250 | Obdurate | ˈäb-də-rət | Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action |
251 | Obfuscate | ˈäb-fə-ˌskāt | Render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible |
252 | Obsequious | əb-ˈsē-kwē-əs | Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree |
253 | Obstreperous | əb-ˈstre-p(ə-)rəs | Noisy and difficult to control |
254 | Obviate | ˈäb-vē-ˌāt | Remove (a need or difficulty) |
255 | Occlude | ə-ˈklüd | Stop, close up, or obstruct (an opening, orifice, or passage) |
Conclusion
To wrap it up, the English language can be tricky, as shown by the 255 tough words we talked about. These words come from many different places, making their spelling and pronunciation quite irregular. Getting to know these words well not only boosts your language skills but also gives you a deeper respect for English’s rich background. It really highlights why it’s important to keep studying and practicing to get the hang of this global language.
Benjamin, a content writer at Paige Simple, brings a practical and motivating touch to everything he writes. With a background in psychology and a love for personal growth, Benjamin enjoys helping readers find joy in everyday moments. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him hiking, practicing yoga, or experimenting in the kitchen. Stay tuned for Benjamin’s tips on living a more inspired and joyful life.