The rarest word in english

Language isn’t just a medium of communicating your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. It’s a whole different world in itself. Language shapes our perception, personality, and passion.

There’s a word for almost every feeling that you feel. There’s a word for almost everything that you see. There’s a word for almost everything you can think of. Every word for sure carries a certain beauty and uniqueness describing really incredible things. 

More than a million words are there in the English language. Many of them have faded, many of them aren’t much used. And nearly 171,476 words are commonly used in the current scenario. The infrequently used words belong to psychology, biology, medicine, astronomy, and other fields. They remain in a state of vernacular obscurity because of their extraordinary specificity. 

Neither heard nor spoken on a regular basis, these are 25 fascinating rare words that are a delightful addition to your vocabulary and also appealing to the senses and the English language.

1. Tmesis (tuh-mee-sis)

An unusual word with an unusual meaning, ‘tmesis’ is the only word in English that begins with ‘tm-’. 

What it means: Insertion of one or more words to make a compound word

Etymology: The word ‘tmesis’ originates from the Greek tmesis «a cutting», related to temnein which means «to cut».

Example sentences: 

• ‘to’ inserted in ‘update’ makes for ‘up-to-date’
• ‘so’ inserted in the middle of ‘whatever’ makes for ‘whatsoever’
• ‘Whole’ inserted in the ‘another’ makes for ‘a whole nother’

2. Syzygy (siz-i-jee)

The word ‘syzygy’ is as rare, beautiful and unique as is its astronomical occurrence. This is the only word in all of English to have three Y’s. 

Moreover, other than astronomy, it has different meanings in poetry, genetics, psychology, medicine, mathematics, zoology and astronomy. Bonus fact is that it’s also one of the high-scoring Scrabble words.

Different meanings in different fields:

1. Astronomy: An alignment of three celestial bodies more commonly the Sun, Earth, and Moon akin to an eclipse.
2. Genetics: The pairing of chromosomes in meiosis.
3. Mathematics: A relation between generators of a module.
4. Medicine: The fusion of some or all organs.
5. Poetry (in classical prosody): The combination of two metrical feet into a single unit.
6. Psychology: A quintessential pairing of contrasexual opposites which symbolizes the communication of the conscious and unconscious minds.
7. Zoology: The association of two protozoans for the purpose of asexual exchange of genetic material. 

Etymology: The word derives via late Latin from Greek suzugia «yoke of animals, pair, union of two, conjunction» from suzugos «to yoke together». It is the compound form of syn «together» + zygon «yoke». 

Example sentences: 

• The moon is at syzygy when full.
• The planets were aligned in syzygy.  (3.1)

3. Hydroxyzine (hahy-drok-suh-zeen)

Hydroxyzine is the only word to have X, Y, Z back-to-back and in-order. The first known use of this medicine was back in 1956. It can help you relieve tension, irritability and anxiety.

Meaning: A tranquilizing drug used to cure anxiety and motion sickness.

Etymology: hydroxy- + (pipera)zine

Example sentence: Do not use Hydroxyzine for alcohol withdrawal!

4. Philodox (FIL-uh-doks)

‘Phil-’ is the root word used to define love for something and ‘dox’ means beliefs and praise. So someone who loves his own opinions is a philodox.

What it means: A dogmatic person who loves his or her own opinions.

Etymology: From Middle French philodoxe, from Ancient Greek (philódoxos, “opinion-loving”). It is a compound of (phílo-, “philo”) + (dóxa, “glory; opinion”).

Example sentence: Once again, it was a joy to see and meet those that really make a difference in the security market, believe me, life isn’t short of philodox characters… (Security News Desk)

5. Dextrosinistral (deks-tro-sin-is-tral)

Lefties or left-handed people are often asked (and sometimes forced) to switch their handedness and become a right hander. Those who’re trained to become one are called ‘dextrosinistral’.

Meanings:

1. Moving or extending from right to left

2. A natural left-handed person trained to use the right hand (3.2)

Etymology: (dextro- +‎ sinistral) From the Latin ‘dexter’ meaning right and ‘sinister’ meaning left.

Example Sentence: The maximum deformation was mostly in the dextrosinistral direction.

6. Lalochezia (lah-loh-KEY-zee-uh)

When you’re in a state of extreme anger and spew filthy or indecent words from your mouth, the emotional relief you gain by doing that is called lalochezia.  

Meaning: Emotional relief gained using expletives or abusive language (3.3)

Etymology: From the Greek ‘lalia’ meaning speech and ‘chezo’ meaning to relieve oneself.

Example Sentence: But you can build up a tolerance to lalochezia—the more you swear, the less it helps. (Greatist) 

7. Gargalesthesia (gar-guhl-es-thee-zee-yah)

It’s the sensation you feel when your sensitive areas are ticked really hard and repeatedly.

Meaning: The sensation caused by being tickled.

Etymology: A compound of the Greek ‘gargalos’ meaning itching and ‘aesthesia’ or ‘esthesia’ meaning ability to perceive sensations.

Example sentence: Gargalesthesia has been known to cause death when prolonged.

8. Factotum (fak-toh-tuh m)

A factotum is someone who possesses diverse traits and serves different responsibilities. And that makes him/her jack of all trades.

Meanings:

1. A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities.
2. A general servant.
3. A jack of all trades.
4. An individual employed to do all kinds of duties.

Etymology: From the Latin ‘facere’ meaning to do and ‘totum’ meaning everything. (3.4)

Example sentence: By day three, it was the department’s triumph and I was a factotum. (Jack Kerley, THE HUNDREDTH MAN)

9. Charientism (ka-ri-yent-izm)

When you’re having a group chat and don’t understand whether something was a quip or a disdain, it’s charientism. It is an artfully concealed insult.

Meaning: A figure of speech wherein an insult is disguised as or softened by a jest.

Etymology: From Ancient Greek (kharientismós)

Example sentence: I’d offer up a charientism but I’m not polite enough to bother masking my dislike for people.

10. Manque (man-que, ma-nq-ue)

When you feel unfulfilled or frustrated for not living up to a certain expectation or ambition, it’s called manque.

Meaning: would-be; unfulfilled realizing an ambition or capability due to the vagary of circumstance, some inherent flaw, or an often uncertain constitutional lacking of some kind.

Etymology: From French manqué (to lack)

Example sentence: The manager is an actor manqué.

11. Floccinaucinihilipilification (FLOK-si-now-sin-ih-HILL-ip-il-IF-i-CAY-shun)

Damn hard to pronounce, this 29-letter-long word happens to be one of the longest words in the English language. With the meaning ‘categorizing something as valueless, the humorously paradoxical fact about the word is that it is quite a useless word in itself; which is hardly used anywhere except as an example of a long word. 

Meaning: the action or habit of estimating something as worthless (3.5)

Etymology: From a combination of four Latin words: flocci, nauci, nihili, pili (meaning ‘hold at little value’) 

Example sentence: Floccinaucinihilipilification is one of a number of very long words that occur very rarely in genuine use.

12. Nudiustertian (noo-dee-uhs-TUR-shuhn)

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word ‘nudiustertian’ has been mentioned only in the very popular work ‘The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam in America’ written by Nathaniel Ward. 

Meaning: very recent,  the day before yesterday 

Etymology: From Latin ‘nudius tertius’, from phrase nunc dies tertius est meaning ‘today is the third day’. (3.6)

Example sentence: When I hear a‥Gentledame inquire‥what [is] the nudiustertian fashion of the Court; I mean the very newest. (The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam in America)

13. Pandiculation (pan-dik-oo-lay-shun)

Whenever you feel drowsy or weary, just stretch your limbs and neck and accompany it with yawning. This simple and effective movement is called pandiculation. It helps to reboot your brain’s sensation and also restores complete muscle function. 

Meaning:  yawning and stretching (as when first waking up)

Etymology: From Latin pandiculari, from pendere to stretch

Example sentence: Instances of pandiculation in the audience suggests the show isn’t going well.

14. Valetudinarian (val-i-too-duh-NAYR-ee-uhn)

Someone who is constantly obsessed about his or her health is called a valetudinarian. It is used as both a noun and an adjective. 

Meaning: a sickly or weak person, especially one who is constantly and morbidly concerned with his or her health

Etymology: The word comes from Latin valētūdinārius, from valetudo (“state of health, health, ill health”), from valere (“to be strong or well”) 

Example sentences:

1. A «valetudinarian» is a 10-dollar word for someone who is sickly.

2. The valetudinarian habit of discussing his health had grown on Rose…

15. Schadenfreude (shah-den-froydah)

When someone feels malicious enjoyment from observing someone else’s misfortune, that feeling is schadenfreude. 

It is the synonym of another rare word ‘epicaricacy’. This word became popular in English in the late 20th century. Its usage was seen in an episode of ‘The Simpsons’.

Meaning: satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else’s misfortune malicious enjoyment derived from observing someone else’s misfortune

Etymology: The word was borrowed from German Schadenfreude (“joy in the misfortune of others”), from Schaden (“damage, harm, mishap”), and Freude (“joy”).

Example sentence: And Mr. Henry’s arrival suggests the schadenfreude is over.

16. Chthonic (thon-ik)

What dwells beneath the earth’s surface is chthonic. 

Meaning: of or characteristic of the mythological underworld, subterranean (3.7)

Etymology: From Ancient Greek khthonios (of the earth), from khthōn, earth 

Example sentence: The young pantheon had remanded their elders to the role of smoldering, chthonic gods……

17. Hwyl (HU il)

That’s a stirring and motivational energy that one experiences when he/she is all pumped up and determined to achieve a particular goal or ambition.

Meaning: emotional fervor (as in the recitation of poetry), a melodic chanting style of Welsh preaching.

Etymology: Welsh

Example sentence: We will never lack hwyl on the second Gwlad of an international day anthem…..

18. Lethologica (Leth-Oh-LOGE-ikuh)

If you are unable to recall the exact word for something, you have a lethologica. 

Meaning: the inability to remember the accurate word for something

Etymology: Carl Jung coined this word from the Ancient Greek lḗthē meaning forgetfulness and lógos meaning word.

Example sentence: You might have trouble recalling that lethologica is the inability to remember a word.

19. Overmorrow (oh-vuhr-MOR-oh)

The day that is two days ahead of today is ‘overmorrow’. 

Meaning: the day after tomorrow.

Etymology: The word comes from Middle English overmorwe. It is a compound of over + morwe (“morrow”).

Example sentence: ‘Does overmorrow work for you?’

20. Velleity (vuh-LEE-i-tee)

A mere wish with no strong desire to act is called ‘velleity’. 

Meanings: 

1. The weakest degree of desire or volition.

2. A slight wish with no effort to act.

Etymology: From Medieval Latin velleitās, from Latin velle (“to wish or will”).  (3.8)

Example sentence: He felt cast out … divorced from the caprices and the velleities of childhood.

21. Sesquipedalian (ses-kwi-pi-DAYL-yuhn)

A word that is one and a half feet long is called ‘sesquipedalian’.

Meanings:

1. Given to or characterized by the use of long words, long-winded.

2. Having many syllables; polysyllabic. (3.9)

Etymology: The word came into existence in the mid 17th century, 1656 to be precise. It originated from Latin sesquipedalis ‘a foot and a half long,’ from sesqui- (see sesqui-) + pes, ped- ‘foot’.

Example sentence: Anne, that ridiculously sesquipedalian word you just gutturally uttered is a perfect example of why Germans don’t play Scrabble.

22. Borborygmus (bor-buh-RIG-muhs)

Being an onomatopoeic word, the word ‘borborygmus’ imitates the annoying, loud gurglings made by the stomach. Chances are you’ve never heard of this word unless you’re a gastroenterologist.

Meaning: rumbling or gurgling sound caused in intestines and stomach by moving fluid or gas (3.10)

Etymology: Originated in the early 18th century, the word was originated from modern Latin, from Greek borborygmos, from borboryzein (to rumble)

Example sentence: Unfortunately sir the other guests are trying to listen to the singer but your borborygmi (plural) are so loud they are interrupting the performance.

23. Doohickey (duːhɪki)

Open your childhood treasure of toys, and you’ll discover so many objects & gadgets whose name you wouldn’t know or recall. Those gadgets are doohickeys.

Meaning: a small object or gadget, especially one whose name the speaker doesn’t know or can’t recall.

Etymology: The word’s origin lies in the 20th century. It is a blend of doodad and hickey.

Example sentence: This garage is filled with electronic parts and other valuable doohickeys.

24. Higgler (higgl-ůr)

Someone who goes around selling small items is known as a higgler.

Meanings: 

1. a person who travels around selling small items; a pedlar.
2. a person who haggles or negotiates for lower prices.

Etymology: probably an alteration of haggle

Example sentence: But while she still lived and prospered as a higgler we had to find another helper to fill.

25. Contronym (KAHN-troh-NIM)

Also known as contranym or autoantonym, a contronym is a word with two meanings having opposite meanings. For e.g. sanction (meaning both ‘a penalty for disobeying a law’ and ‘official permission or approval for an action’).

Meaning: a word with two opposite meanings

Etymology: a combination of contra- and -onym, on the pattern of synonym and antonym

Example sentence: The word contronym is a recently coined neologism.

Do you also know a rare word in English or any other language? If you do, then do tell us the word with its meaning in the comments section below!

The 15 most unusual words you’ll ever find in English

• Nudiustertian.
• Quire.
• Yarborough.
• Tittynope.
• Winklepicker.
• Ulotrichous.
• Kakorrhaphiophobia. If you suffer from this, then you would very much rather not have this word appear in a spelling bee, since it describes the fear of failure.
• Xertz. Who would have imagined it?

What is the rarest word?

11 Rarest Words in the English Language

• Obelus.
• Nudiustertian.
• Nikehedonia.
• Metanoia.
• Meldrop.
• Lalochezia.
• Jentacular.
• Gargalesthesia.

What is the weirdest word?

Here are the 12 weirdest words in English:

• Gerrymandering.
• Fungus.
• Aa.
• Queue.
• Vex.
• Bequeath.
• Mixology.
• Flub. Test your English in minutes. Learn more.

What is a unique word?

So, what exactly makes an English word unique? To explain this very simply, a unique word is one that’s unusual or different in some way. It might have a complicated history or interesting connections to another language.

What is the least known word?

The 20 Least-Known Words In English

• genipap.
• futhorc.
• witenagemot.
• gossypol.
• chaulmoogra.
• brummagem.
• alsike.
• chersonese.

What word has all 26 letters in it?

An English pangram is a sentence that contains all 26 letters of the English alphabet. The most well known English pangram is probably “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”. My favorite pangram is “Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes.”

What word takes 3 hours to say?

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (45 letters)

Is YEET in the dictionary?

Slang. (an exclamation of enthusiasm, approval, triumph, pleasure, joy, etc.): If we’re lucky, all of Wisconsin will be yelling “Yeet!” when the Packers make a second trip to Tampa this year. to hurl or move forcefully: Somebody just yeeted a water bottle into the crowd.

What is a word nobody knows?

1. Serendipity. This word appears in numerous lists of untranslatable words and is a mystery mostly for non native speakers of English.

What are the coolest words?

60+ of the Coolest, Most Epic and Interesting Words in the English Language

#1–15	#16–30	#31–45
1. Apocalyptic	16. Equilibrium	31. Mitigate
2. Bamboozled	17. Exquisite	32. Nefarious
3. Bizarre	18. Flippant	33. Onomatopoeia
4. Blasphemy	19. Gerrymandering	34. Persnickety

What are the 10 new words?

• 10 new English words for 2021. Read Time.
• Adulting. Definition: The action of becoming or acting like an adult.
• Awe walk. Definition: Taking a walk outside and making an effort to look at the things around you.
• Contactless. Definition: not having to physically touch or interact with people.
• Doomscrolling.
• PPE.
• Quarenteen.
• Thirsty.

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is the longest word entered in the most trusted English dictionaries.

What are 5 interesting words?

Let’s see which of these craziest words you already know and which ones are new to you:

• Bumfuzzle. This is a simple term that refers to being confused, perplexed, or flustered or to cause confusion.
• Cattywampus.
• Gardyloo.
• Taradiddle.
• Snickersnee.
• Widdershins.
• Collywobbles.
• Gubbins.

What is the most spoken word?

Of all the words in the English language, the word “OK” is pretty new.

What are some rare words?

50 Rare Words That Are Useful to Know

• Accismus (noun) Accismus is a useful term for pretending to be disinterested in something when you actually want it.
• Acumen (noun)
• Anachronistic (adjective)
• Anthropomorphize (verb)
• Apricate (verb)
• Bastion (noun)
• Burgeon (verb)
• Convivial (adjective)

What are some beautiful rare words?

25 Rare Words with Beautiful Meanings

• Coddiwomple (English slang)
• Defenestration.
• Eudaimonia (Greek)
• Hygge (hoo-geh) (Danish)
• Limerence.
• Mudita (Sanskrit)
• Numinous (from Latin word numen)
• Peripatetic.

What is the 27th letter in the alphabet?

The ampersand often appeared as a character at the end of the Latin alphabet, as for example in Byrhtferð’s list of letters from 1011. Similarly, & was regarded as the 27th letter of the English alphabet, as taught to children in the US and elsewhere.

Is there a word longer than Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis?

The longest words in the dictionary are: antidisestablishmentarianism – opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England – 28 letters. floccinaucinihilipilification – the estimation of something as worthless – 29 letters. pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis – a supposed lung disease – 45 letters.

Is Amenitized a word?

amenitized, adj.: “Of a house or other building: provided or equipped with various amenities.”

What is the longest video on YouTube?

Jonathan Harchick has created and uploaded the longest YouTube video of all time, clocking in at 571 hours, 1 minute and 41 seconds.

What’s the longest word in Japanese?

A funny phrase in japanese is “toragahitowokamoutosurutokinounarinow” 虎が人を噛もうとするときのうなり声。 It is 37 letters long and is comprised of a 17 syllables. It is a very odd phrase, as it is defined as “the growl a tiger makes when it is about to about to bite someone”.

11 Rarest Words in the English Language

• Obelus.
• Nudiustertian.
• Nikehedonia.
• Metanoia.
• Meldrop.
• Lalochezia.
• Jentacular.
• Gargalesthesia.

Simply so What are some very unique words? Unique Words

• Abomasum u2014 the fourth stomach of a ruminant, such as a cow or sheep (noun)
• Absquatulate u2014 to leave somewhere abruptly (verb)
• Adagio u2014 to perform in slow tempo (adverb)
• Alfresco u2014 taking place or located in the open air (adverb)
• Alcazar u2014 a Spanish palace or fortress (noun)

What is the most beautiful English word? The Top 10 Most Beautiful English Words

1. 1 Sequoia (n.) (A seven-letter word that has the letter Q and all five vowels) A redwood tree, especially the California redwood.
2. 2 Euphoria (n.) …
3. 3 Pluviophile (n.) …
4. 4 Clinomania (n.) …
5. 5 Idyllic (adj.) …
6. 6 Aurora (n.) …
7. 7 Solitude (n.) …
8. 8 Supine (adj.) …

also What is the weirdest word? 7 weird words in the English language

• Say u201cbum-fuzz-ulu201d The word bumfuzzle means ‘to confuse someone. …
• Say u201cbum-ber-shootu201d The word bumbershoot is a super fun word and another way to say umbrella! …
• Say u201cloll-ee-gagu201d …
• Say u201chull-a-ba-loou201d …
• Say u201cgaw-bull-dee-goo-ku201d

What is a unique word?

Some common synonyms of unique are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, and strange. While all these words mean “departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected,” unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

What word has all 26 letters in it? An English pangram is a sentence that contains all 26 letters of the English alphabet. The most well known English pangram is probably “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”. My favorite pangram is “Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes.”

What are cool dark words?

Searching for unique dark words can be a challenge.
…
Words to Describe Darkness.

beclouded	black	black as night
darksome	deep purple	dim
dimmed	dingy	drab
dreariness	dreary	dull
dusky	filmy	foggy

What are some elegant words? elegant

• classy,
• courtly,
• fine,
• graceful,
• handsome,
• majestic,
• refined,
• stately,

What are 10 interesting words?

Let’s see which of these craziest words you already know and which ones are new to you:

• Bumfuzzle. This is a simple term that refers to being confused, perplexed, or flustered or to cause confusion. …
• Cattywampus. …
• Gardyloo. …
• Taradiddle. …
• Snickersnee. …
• Widdershins. …
• Collywobbles. …
• Gubbins.

What word takes 3 hours to say? The chemical name of titin was first kept in the English dictionary, but it was later removed from the dictionary when the name caused trouble. It is now known only as Titin. Titin protein was discovered in 1954 by Reiji Natori.

What is the 27th letter in the alphabet?

The ampersand often appeared as a character at the end of the Latin alphabet, as for example in Byrhtferð’s list of letters from 1011. Similarly, & was regarded as the 27th letter of the English alphabet, as taught to children in the US and elsewhere.

What start with E and ends with E? Answer: The answer is ENVELOPE. It starts with E, ends with E and has only one letter in it, i.e, you can keep only one letter inside the envelope. Nice riddle but not hard.

What Stygian means?

Definition of stygian

1 : of or relating to the river Styx. 2 : extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding the stygian blackness of the cave.

What are some aesthetic words?

• elegant,
• exquisite,
• glorious,
• Junoesque,
• magnificent,
• resplendent,
• splendid,
• statuesque,

What are some creepy words? creepy

• awful.
• disgusting.
• disturbing.
• eerie.
• frightening.
• ghoulish.
• macabre.
• menacing.

What are aesthetic words?

• elegant,
• exquisite,
• glorious,
• Junoesque,
• magnificent,
• resplendent,
• splendid,
• statuesque,

What is the most fancy word in English?

The 100 Most Beautiful Words in English

Chatoyant	Like a cat’s eye.
Comely	Attractive .
Conflate	To blend together.
Cynosure	A focal point of admiration.
Dalliance	A brief love affair.

• Mar 23, 2015

What is a pretty word? attractive, beautiful, charming, cute, elegant, good-looking, graceful, handsome, lovely, neat, pleasant, a little, considerably, fairly, kind of, moderately, quite, rather, reasonably, somewhat.

What’s the coolest word?

60+ of the Coolest, Most Epic Words in the English Language

#1–15	#16–30	#31–45
1. Apocalyptic	16. Equilibrium	31. Mitigate
2. Bamboozled	17. Exquisite	32. Nefarious
3. Bizarre	18. Flippant	33. Onomatopoeia
4. Blasphemy	19. Gerrymandering	34. Persnickety

• Nov 30, 2019

What is the most random word? The most random word in English is aardvark. Of course, there’s really no way to answer this question because its entirely based on opinion. That being said, feel free to contact us if you think you know a more random word than aardvark.

What is the shortest word?

Eunoia, at six letters long, is the shortest word in the English language that contains all five main vowels. Seven letter words with this property include adoulie, douleia, eucosia, eulogia, eunomia, eutopia, miaoued, moineau, sequoia, and suoidea. (The scientific name iouea is a genus of Cretaceous fossil sponges.)

What’s the biggest word in the world? The longest word in any of the major English language dictionaries is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, a word that refers to a lung disease contracted from the inhalation of very fine silica particles, specifically from a volcano; medically, it is the same as silicosis.

Is there a word without a vowel?

Words with no vowels. Cwm and crwth do not contain the letters a, e, i, o, u, or y, the usual vowels (that is, the usual symbols that stand for vowel sounds) in English. … Shh, psst, and hmm do not have vowels, either vowel symbols or vowel sounds. There is some controversy whether they are in fact “words,” however.

Is there a letter after Z? The English alphabet : The letter z (Z uppercase) is the last letter, thus nothing comes after z.

Was the letter Z removed from the alphabet?

Why did Z get removed from the alphabet? Around 300 BC, the Roman Censor Appius Claudius Caecus removed Z from the alphabet. His justification was that Z had become archaic: the pronunciation of /z/ had become /r/ by a process called rhotacism, rendering the letter Z useless.

Is there another letter after Z?

Notes. Five of the letters in the English Alphabet are vowels: A, E, I, O, U. The remaining 21 letters are consonants: B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, X, Z, and usually W and Y.

Top 30+ Weirdest and Rarest World Words In English Language. Photo KnowInsiders

Table of Contents

Why Learn Weird English Words? Top 30+ Weirdest and Rarest World Words In English Language 1. Anachronism 2. Accismus 3. Acnestis 4. Agelast 5. Bailiwick How to Remember Weird New English Words: Keep a Vocabulary List 6. Bumfuzzle 7. Behoove 8. Cacophony How to Remember Weird New English Words: Use Post-It Notes and Cards 9. Crapulence 10. Diphthong 11. Draconian 12. Effete 13. Fatuous 14. Gargalesthesia 15. Gobbledygook 16. Jentacular 17. Kerfuffle Weird long word: Kakorrhaphiophobia 18. Hullaballoo (ˌhʌl.ə.bəˈluː) 19. Lionize 20. Lalochezia 21. Meldrop Weird short word 22. Noisome 23. Obfuscate 24. Nikehedonia 25. Nudiustertian 26. Pareidolia 27. Riposte 28. Obelus 29. Verisimilitude 30. Zeugma Conclusion

Why Learn Weird English Words?

Increasing your vocabulary is always useful—from basic, common vocabulary words to the weirdest ones in the language.

Even native English speakers are constantly learning new words that they never knew existed! You’ll have more brilliant ways that you can describe things and express your ideas. You can impress your friends with your knowledge or even get a great new job by demonstrating your English skills in a big interview.

Just understanding one more word will help you make your way through confusing English conversations. Even if you never use some of these weird words, you won’t be left wondering “what?” if you hear native English speakers use them.

You will also understand a lot more too! This can lead to greater confidence … which then means you speak and practice even more!

Finally, weird English words often have lots of syllables (the different sounds within a word) and unique letter combinations, making them excellent for pronunciation practice.

Say them out loud. Hear the fantastic sounds they make, and you’ll certainly agree that these weird words will add some more life to your sentences and make people stop and listen!

Top 30+ Weirdest and Rarest World Words In English Language

1. Anachronism

Pronunciation: /əˈnæk.rə.nɪ.zəm/

Definition: An anachronism is something (or someone) that is out of place in terms of time or chronology. This is most common with old-fashioned items in a modern setting, but can also occur with futuristic items in period pieces. Most anachronisms are there by mistake, especially within movies and television shows.

E.g. Showing the Pharaoh wearing a wristwatch was an obvious anachronism.

2. Accismus

Pronunciation: /ækˈsɪzməs/

Definition: A form of irony in which someone feigns indifference to something he or she desires. Aesop’s fable The Fox and the Grapes illustrates accismus when the fox dismisses some grapes he is unable to reach, stating that he is sure they are sour anyway.

E.g. “Oh I couldn’t possibly accept…” Exclaimed Veronica upon being presented with a pair of diamond earrings, her natural affinity for accismus shining through.

3. Acnestis

Definition: Space between shoulder blades that cannot be reached to scratch

Pronunciation: ak-NEES-tis

4. Agelast

Definition: A person who never laughs

Pronunciation: AJ-uh-last

E.g. I’m not sure is she’s an agelast because she is grumpy or because she’s vain.

5. Bailiwick

Definition: a person’s area of skill, knowledge, authority, or work (noun)

Pronunciation: /ˈbeɪliwɪk/

E.g.He never writes up our reports—that’s my bailiwick.

6. Bumfuzzle

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To bumfuzzle is to confuse or fluster.

Bumfuzzle is most often used in the dialect of the Southern United States. It is colloquial, meaning it is typically used in informal conversation. It is very similar to bamboozle, and may be derived from it.

How to pronounce: /buhm-fuhz-uhl/

E.g. I was totally bumfuzzled by the physics homework last night—I didn’t understand any of it!

7. Behoove

Definition: You can use behoove as a verb that means to be necessary or appropriate for something else. It comes in handy when telling someone why they should do something or when writing a persuasive essay.

Pronunciation: /bɪˈhuv/

Example: «It would behoove the students to learn the vocabulary terms before the test next week.»

8. Cacophony

Definition: A cacophony is a harsh mixture of sounds. It descends from the Greek word phōnē which means sound or voice, and is joined with the Greek prefix kak-, meaning bad; creating the meaning bad sound. In a similar way, the word symphony (which means a harmonious arrangement of instruments) traces to phōnē and the Greek prefix syn-, which means together.

Pronunciation: /kəˈkɒf.ə.ni/

E.g. I couldn’t hear over the cacophony of alarm bells.

9. Crapulence

Definition: Sickness caused by excessive eating or drinking

Pronunciation: krăp′yə-ləns

10. Diphthong

Definition: A sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable, in which the sound begins as one vowel and moves toward another (noun)

Pronunciation: /ˈdɪf.θɒŋ/

E.g.To adopt such an idea would simplify the teaching of the vowels to learners, since you could absorb these so-called diphthongs into the simple system.

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11. Draconian

An adjective to describe something that is excessively harsh and severe. Derives from Draco, a 7th-century Athenian law scribe under whom small offenses had heavy punishments; prescribing death for almost every offence.

Pronunciation: /drəˈkəʊ.ni.ən/

E.g. The new parking fines are positively draconian.

12. Effete

Sometime, you meet someone or encounter something that is overly refined — even to the point of uselessness. That thing is effete.

Pronunciation: /ɪˈfiːt/

Example: «Her beautifully manicured nails were an effete affectation, getting in the way every time she tried to type.»

13. Fatuous

Definition: Sometimes you need to describe someone or something that is foolish or silly. That’s a great time to use the word fatuous.

Pronunciation: /ˈfætʃ.u.əs/

Example: «The clown wore large shoes and a red nose and was generally fatuous.»

14. Gargalesthesia

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Definition: The sensation commonly associated with tickling

Pronunciation: /gar-guhl-es-thee-zee-yah/

15. Gobbledygook

Definition: Close your eyes for a second and think of a turkey. What sound does it make? Does it sound something like “gobble, gobble, gobble”? That’s exactly where this word came from!

Created from the meaningless sound that turkeys make, gobbledygook (noun) was originally an American English word. It was created in the 1940’s to mean words that are nonsense or have no meaning. It also describes when people use too many technical words and so other people can’t understand what they’e saying.

Pronunciation: /ˈɡɒb(ə)ldɪˌɡuːk/

E.g. The Director was talking a load of gobbledygook in that meeting. I have no idea what he wants!”

16. Jentacular

Definition: Of or pertaining to a breakfast taken early in the morning, or immediately upon getting up

Pronunciation: jen-TAK-yuh-luhr

17. Kerfuffle

Pronunciation: /kəˈfʌf(ə)l/

Kerfuffle (noun) has been around since the early 1800s. There are two ideas as to how it came into English. It probably came from either Scottish Gaelic or from Celtic Irish, the languages that were used historically in Scotland and Ireland.

If somebody asked you the following question, would you know what they meant?

“What’s all the shouting for? Why are you making such a kerfuffle?”

It means to make a fuss or a bother, usually when people have different points of view. Imagine two of your friends having a minor disagreement over something and making quite a bit of noise – doesn’t kerfuffle sound like a great way to describe the situation? They might also be making a hullaballoo too…

18. Hullaballoo (ˌhʌl.ə.bəˈluː)

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Pronunciation: /ˌhʌl.ə.bəˈluː/

“Did you hear all that hullaballoo in the office today?”

A word that really sounds like what it means, hullaballoo (noun) is the loud noises and shouting that people make when they’re angry.

It’s been part of the English language since the middle of the 18th century.

19. Lionize

Pronunciation: /ˈlaɪ.ə.naɪz/

This awesome positive L word is a verb you can use to talk about celebrities and important historical figures and the way people view them. Lionize means to treat someone as a hero.

Example: «In the North, people began to lionize Abraham Lincoln soon after his assassination.»

20. Lalochezia

Definition: Emotional relief gained by using indecent or vulgar language.

Pronunciation: lal’ō-kē’zē-ă

21. Meldrop

Definition: A drop of mucus hanging from the tip of one’s nose

Pronunciation: mell–drawp

22. Noisome

Definition: If you need to describe something that is harmful or really annoying to the point of near harm, use the word noisome. It’s also ideal for describing something that smells bad.

Pronunciation: /ˈnɔɪ.səm/

Example: «The cooler of fish, forgotten in the trunk of the car, began to emit a noisome odor after a few days.»

23. Obfuscate

Definition: Have you ever seen someone make something more confusing than it needs to be? That person is obfuscating a concept.

Pronunciation: /ˈɒb.fʌs.keɪt/

Example: «While making bread is really a very simple process, his explanation of the different types of yeast and flour served to obfuscate the concept.»

24. Nikehedonia

Definition: The pleasure or excitement that comes from anticipating success

Pronunciation: nai-kee-huh-daa-nee-uh

25. Nudiustertian

Definition: Of or relating to the day before yesterday

Pronunciation: noo-dee-uhs-TUR-shuhn

E.g.“I’d placed the order that nudiustertian morning”

26. Pareidolia

Pronunciation: /ˌpær.ɪˈdəʊl.jə/

Definition: A psychological phenomenon in which the mind perceives a specific image or pattern where it does not actually exist, such as seeing a face in the clouds. Pareidolia can be used to explain a host of otherwise unexplained sightings.

E.g. Alex was sure he saw a human face on the moon’s surface, but it was more likely to be pareidolia.

27. Riposte

Pronunciation: /rɪˈpɒst/

Definition: A quick or witty retaliatory reply. In the context of the sport of fencing, a riposte means a counterattack that is made after successfully fending off one’s opponent.

E.g. Cora was known for having an excellent riposte to any insult.

28. Obelus

Definition: The name for the division symbol ÷

Pronunciation: aa-buh-luhs

29. Verisimilitude

Definition: Something that merely seems to be true or real. Many writers or filmmakers try for some kind of verisimilitude in their stories, to make them believable. Including a great many details in a novel, for example, adds to its verisimilitude.

Pronunciation: /ˌver.ɪ.sɪˈmɪl.ɪ.tʃuːd/

E.g. She was experiencing a nightmare of the most extraordinary verisimilitude.

30. Zeugma

Definition: A figure of speech in which one word has a double meaning within a sentence, zeugma is a useful term for language arts papers. An example of this would be, “He stole my heart and my car.”

Pronunciation: /ˈzjuːɡ.mə/

Example: «In a statement of zeugma, she said she liked her men like she liked her tea: sweet, strong, and fragrant.»

Conclusion

How to use these rare words correctly? First you should understand their meaning.

If you’ve ever seen someone misusing words, you know how that kind of mistake can reflect negatively on perceptions of intelligence. Take a few moments to quiz yourself on the meaning of these uncommon words so you can break them out in your next essay or speech.

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