Unique word with meaning

Do you love unique words with deep meanings? Have you felt powerful feelings but haven’t found a word to accurately capture them?20 Unique words with deep meanings that you've never heard of

Perhaps you’re a word nerd at heart, or you’re looking to spice up the way you express yourself.

If any of these are true for you, then you’re going to love this post!

My name is Gregory Venvonis. I’m a blogger, fiction author, and logophile at heart. 

I put together this post in my spare time because I also love finding new ways to communicate and express myself.

Ideally, this list of unusual and uncommon words, complete with their corresponding meanings and etymology, will also give you a fresh way to explain your life and experiences!

Unique words and their meanings

Novalunosis

Definition: Novalunosis (n.) – The state of relaxation and wonderment experienced while gazing upon the stars.

Word origin: Vowlenu

Heliophilia

Definition: Heliophilia (n.) – The desire to be in sunlight.

Word origin: English

Related words: Heliophile, heliophilic, and heliophilous.

Nefelibata

Definition: Nefelibata (n.) – A day dreamer; writer who does not follow conventional standards.

Word origin: Portuguese & Spanish 

Elysian

Definition: Elysian (adj.) – relating to divinity and peace

Word origin: Latin (Elysium)

Galaxomas

Definition: Galaxomas (n.) – The passionate urge to live on a theoretical faraway planet that feels uniquely different from Earth, yet hospitable for oxygen-breathing, sentient life.

Word origin: Vowlenu

Voorpret

Definition: Voorpret (n.) – The feeling of anticipatory pleasure experienced before an actual fun event or party.

Word origin: Dutch

Ebullience

Definition: Ebullience (n.) – To be cheerful and full of energy.

Word origin: The latin word: ebullientem

Related words: Ebullient.

Komorebi

Definition: Komorebi (n.) – Sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees; the interplay between light and when leaves when sunlight shines through trees.

Word origin: Japanese

Yūgen

Definition: Yūgen (n.) – The profound and mysterious feeling of beauty towards the universe.

Word origin: Traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Note: Yūgen is one of the seven Zen aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi or the mindful approach to everyday life.

Nunchi

Definition: Nunchi (n.) – The subtle art and ability to listen and gauge other people’s moods.

Word origin: Korean. The literal translation is “eye-measure.”

Note: This is similar to the idiomatic expression of “reading the room” in English.

Arbejdsglæde

Definition: Arbejdsglæde (n.) – The feeling of happiness at work; employee satisfaction.

Word origin: Danish

Psithurism

Definition: Psithruism (n.) – The sound of leaves rustling in the wind. 

Word origin: The Greek work psithuros.

Sturmfrei

Definition: Sturmfrei (adj.) – To have temporary freedom from housemates or parents.

Word origin: German. The literal translation is “storm-free.”

Razljubit

Definition: Razljubit (n.) – The feeling one has for someone once loved.

Word origin: Russian. The literal translation is “fall out of love.”

Blazemoche

Definition: Blazemoche (n.) – The therapeutic tranquility one feels when listening to the crackling and burning of firewood.

Word origin: Vowlenu

Eleutheromania

Definition: Eleutheromania (n.) – An intense desire for freedom.

Word origin: Greek

Emacity

Definition: Emacity (n.) – The fondness for buying things.

Word origin: Latin, from the word emacitas.

Novaturient

Definition: Novaturient (adj.) – desiring or seeking powerful change in one’s life, behavior or situation.

Word origin: Latin, from the word novāre.

Aviothic

Definition: Aviothic (n.) – The strong desire to be up in the air or to fly.

Word origin: Vowlenu

There are many unique words in the English language that have deep meaning. Some of these words can be found in the dictionary, while others may not be as well-known. However, building your vocabulary can help you better understand the world around you and improve your communication skills.

Here are 128 unique words with deep meaning that you can add to your vocabulary:

  1. ambiguous
  2. apathetic
  3. archetype
  4. audacity
  5. autonomous
  6. benefactor
  7. benevolent
  8. bigotry
  9. boisterous
  10. bombastic
  11. bravado
  12. callous
  13. camaraderie
  14. candid
  15. candor
  16. capricious
  17. censure
  18. chagrin
  19. coercive
  20. collusion
  21. compelling
  22. contemptuous
  23. contentious
  24. conundrum
  25. cosmopolitan
  26. courtesy
  27. credulous
  28. cynical
  29. decentralization
  30. decorum
  31. defamation
  32. deride
  33. despondent
  34. disdain
  35. dissemination
  36. dystopia
  37. ebullience
  38. echelon
  39. effervescence
  40. eloquence
  41. elusive
  42. empirical
  43. endemic
  44. enigma
  45. enrapture
  46. epiphany
  47. epoch
  48. erratic
  49. ethereal
  50. exemplary
  51. extradited
  52. euphemism
  53. extraterrestrial
  54. exuberant
  55. facetious
  56. fallacy
  57. fanaticism
  58. fatalism
  59. fathom
  60. fervor
  61. heterogeneous
  62. homogeneous
  63. idolatry 
  64. impetuous
  65. implausible
  66. inane
  67. incandescence
  68. incongruous
  69. ineffable
  70. inertia
  71. infatuation
  72. innocuous
  73. insidious
  74. integrity
  75. iridescent
  76. jaded
  77. jaunty
  78. jovial
  79. kinetic
  80. lethargic
  81. luminescence
  82. macabre
  83. magnanimous
  84. misanthropy
  85. magnanimous
  86. malevolent
  87. misanthropy
  88. nefarious
  89. nihilism
  90. obfuscation
  91. obsequious
  92. omniscient
  93. ostentatious
  94. paradigm
  95. partisanship
  96. pedantic
  97. pejorative
  98. perspicacious
  99. philanthropy
  100. platitude
  101. polygamy
  102. pragmatic
  103. precipitous
  104. prestige
  105. prodigal
  106. propaganda
  107. quintessential
  108. quixotic
  109. rambunctious
  110. rhetoric
  111. serendipity
  112. stereotype
  113. superficial
  114. syzygy
  115. transcendentalism
  116. ubiquitous
  117. unprecedented
  118. vacuous
  119. vitriol
  120. voluptuous
  121. wanderlust
  122. whimsical
  123. xenophobia
  124. zealous
  125. zesty

Letter A

Ambiguous – able to be interpreted in more than one way; open to more than one interpretation

Example sentence: The ambiguous wording in the contract caused a lot of confusion.

Apathetic – having or showing little or no emotion or interest

Example sentence: After years of being in a toxic relationship, I’ve become quite apathetic towards love.

Archetype – a perfect example of a particular type of person or thing

Example sentence: In many ways, she is the archetype of a strong and independent woman.

Audacity – a willingness to take bold risks

Example sentence: It took a lot of audacity for him to quit his corporate job and start his own business/ he was audacious in quitting his corporate job and starting his own business.

It can also mean that someone is cheeky and disrespectful. For example, if someone cuts in front of you in line, you might say, “That was pretty audacious of them!”

Autonomous – existing independently; not subject to another’s authority

Example sentence: As an autonomous individual, I don’t need anyone’s approval to live my life the way I want to.

Letter B

Benefactor – a person who provides help or financial assistance to another

Example sentence: My benefactor has been helping me pay for my college education.

Benevolent – well-meaning and kindly

Example sentence: The benevolent woman spent her life helping others.

Bigotry – intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself

Example sentence: The bigotry and hatred expressed by some people during the presidential campaign were shocking.

Boisterous – noisy and full of energy

Example sentence: The boisterous party next door kept me up all night.

Bombastic – using language that is complex and intended to impress but insincerely; high-sounding but with little meaning behind the words.

Example sentence: His bombastic speeches were filled with empty promises.

Bravado – a show of boldness or daring, especially when it is false

Example sentence: He talks a lot of tough talk, but it’s all just bravado.

Letter C

Callous – showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others

Example sentence: The callous way she talked about her ex-boyfriends showed that she was not ready for a serious relationship.

Camaraderie – a spirit of friendly, good-fellowship

Example sentence: There’s a strong sense of camaraderie among the employees of this company.

Candid – honest and straightforward; not hiding one’s true feelings or intentions

Example sentence: I appreciate your candid feedback. It helps me to improve my work.

Candor – the quality of being open and honest in expression

Example sentence: I appreciate your candor in telling me that my proposal was not up to your standards.

Capricious – quick to change; often changing suddenly.

Example sentence: The capricious nature of the stock market can make it a risky investment.

Censure – to express strong disapproval; intensely criticize

Example sentence: The company was censured for its unethical business practices.

Chagrin – a feeling of distress, disappointment, or embarrassment caused by the failure of one’s hopes or plans

Example sentence: I felt a great sense of chagrin when I realized that I had made a mistake.

Coercive – using force or threats to persuade someone to do something

Example sentence: The coercive methods used by the government to silence public disagreements is unacceptable.

Collusion – secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose

Example sentence: The companies were accused of collusion in a government investigation.

Compelling – so attractive, interesting, or important that it is difficult to resist or ignore

Example sentence: The compelling evidence showed that the defendant was guilty.

Contemptuous – feeling or showing a strong dislike for someone or something that you consider to be below you in standard or quality

Example sentence: The bully looked at me with a contemptuous expression on her face.

Contentious – controversial; likely to cause an argument or disagreement

Example sentence: The contentious issue of immigration reform has divided the country.

Conundrum – a confusing and difficult problem or question

Example sentence: The conundrum of how to solve the economic crisis is still unresolved.

Cosmopolitan – having wide international experience or interest; very sophisticated and widely traveled

Example sentence: She’s a cosmopolitan woman who has lived in many different countries.

Courtesy – the quality of showing politeness and good manners

Example sentence: It’s a courtesy to RSVP to a party if you’re planning on attending.

Credulous – too willing to believe that something is true, especially without questioning it or checking it first

Example sentence: He was a credulous child who believed everything he was told.

Cynical: skeptical or distrustful of people because they are considered to be driven by self-interest

Example sentence: The cynical woman didn’t believe anything the politician said.

Letter D

Decentralization – the process of moving power or responsibility away from a central authority

Example sentence: The decentralization of the government has led to more regional conflicts.

Decorum – correct or appropriate behavior or manner

Example sentence: The decorum of the event was disrupted by a group of rowdy protesters.

Defamation – the act or crime of making a false spoken statement about someone that damages their reputation

Example sentence: He was sued for defamation after he made false statements about the victim on social media.

Deride – to speak to or about someone or something in a way that shows you think they are unimportant or have no value

Example sentence: He derided her ideas as being too idealistic.

Despondent – feeling or showing hopelessness and despair

Example sentence: After his business failed, he became despondent and stopped leaving the house.

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Disdain – a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or consideration; contempt

Example sentence: He looked at her with disdain when she told him she had only read one book in the past year.

Dissemination – the act of spreading information or ideas

Example sentence: The dissemination of false information can have dangerous consequences.

Dystopia – an imaginary place where everything is unpleasant or bad, often representing a possible future

Example sentence: The novel is set in a dystopian future where the government controls everything.

Letter E

Ebullience – great happiness, energy and enthusiasm

Example sentence: The ebullience of the crowd was infectious.

Echelon – a level or rank in an organization, profession, or society

Example sentence: She’s at the top echelon of her profession.

Effervescence – the quality of being lively and exciting

Example sentence: The child’s effervescence made her quite popular among her friends.

Eloquence: – the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively

Example sentence: His eloquence was one of the things that made him a successful politician.

Elusive – difficult to find, catch, or achieve

Example sentence: The elusive goal of world peace seems to be getting further and further away.

Empirical – based on actual experience or observation rather than theory

Example sentence: The empirical evidence showed that the theory was correct.

Endemic – existing or occurring naturally in a particular area or environment. This could be a disease, condition, native plant or animal.

Example sentence: Poverty is endemic in this region of the country.

Example 2: Malaria is endemic because it persists in particular regions such as Africa and South Asia.

Enigma – a person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand

Example sentence: He’s an enigma – we never know what he will do next.

Enrapture – to fill with great joy or admiration

Example sentence: The child was enraptured by the magic of the circus.

Epiphany – a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand or become aware of something in a new and important way

Example sentence: It was an epiphany for me when I realized that I didn’t have to please everyone all the time.

Epoch – a period of time in history or a person’s life when something significant happens

Example sentence: The Industrial Revolution was an epoch in human history.

Erratic – irregular or unpredictable in behavior or course

Example sentence: Her erratic driving made us all nervous.

Ethereal – very delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world

Example sentence: The ethereal beauty of the snowflakes was breathtaking.

Exemplary – serving as a very good example

Example sentence: Her exemplary behavior made her a role model for other students.

Extradited – surrendered by one state or country to another, typically because the person has been accused or convicted of a crime

Example sentence: The criminal was extradited to the United States to stand trial.

Euphemism – a word or phrase used to avoid saying something that might be considered too direct, offensive or embarrassing

Example sentence: ‘passed away’ is a euphemism for ‘died’

Extraterrestrial – from outside the Earth or its atmosphere

Example sentence: There is no evidence that extraterrestrial life exists.

Exuberant – full of energy and enthusiasm

Example sentence: The exuberant child was bouncing off the walls.

Letter F

Facetious – not serious and often humorous; joking sometimes inappropriately

Example sentence: His facetious comments about the situation were not appreciated by everyone.

Fallacy – a mistaken belief, often held for emotional reasons, that is not based on fact or logic

Example sentence: The fallacy that all immigrants are criminals is sadly all too common.

Fanaticism – excessive enthusiasm and intense devotion to a cause or activity

Example sentence: The fanaticism of the fans was on full display at the game.

Example 2: The mistreatment of women in certain regions represents the worst of religious fanaticism.

Fatalism – the belief that events are predetermined by fate and cannot be changed

Example sentence: Many people have a fatalistic attitude towards life and believe that whatever will be will be.

Fathom – to understand something that is not easy to understand

Example sentence: I can’t fathom why anyone would want to hurt innocent people.

fervor – intense or passionate emotion

Example sentence: The fans’ fervor at the football match was palpable.

Letter H

heterogeneous – consisting of dissimilar or diverse elements

Example sentence: The class was heterogeneous in terms of age, gender, and background.

homogeneous: – of the same kind; alike

Example sentence: The class was homogeneous regarding age, gender, and background.

Letter I

Idolatry – the worship of idols, as though they were God

Example sentence: The idolatry of celebrities is a disturbing trend.

Impetuous – acting or done quickly and without thought or care

Example sentence: She made an impetuous decision to quit her job.

Implausible – not believable; not able to be believed

Example sentence: The implausible story that he told us just didn’t add up.

Inane – silly or pointless

Example sentence: The inane comments that he made were not appreciated by anyone.

incandescence – the state of being white-hot and glowing with intense heat

Example sentence: The incandescence of the sun was too much to look at directly.

Incongruous – not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; out of place

Example sentence: The incongruous sight of a penguin in the desert was quite bizarre.

Ineffable – too great or extreme to be described in words

Example sentence: The ineffable beauty of the sunset was breathtaking.

Inertia – a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged

Example sentence: The inertia of the company was a major problem.

Infatuation – a feeling of strong or excessive admiration or attraction

Example sentence: He had an infatuation with the movie star.

Innocuous – not harmful or offensive

Example sentence: The innocuous comment was taken the wrong way.

Insidious – seeming harmless but actually very harmful

Example sentence: The insidious effects of the virus were not immediately apparent.

Integrity – the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles

Example sentence: He is a man of integrity and can be trusted.

Iridescent – having lustrous rainbow-like colors that seem to change with movement

Example sentence: The iridescent fish was a thing of beauty.

Letter J

Jaded – bored or lacking enthusiasm, especially because of having experienced too much of something

Example sentence: The jaded traveler was not impressed by the sights.

Jaunty – having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident manner

Example sentence: The jaunty little dog was a joy to be around.

Jovial – good-humored or playful

Example sentence: The jovial mood of the party’s host was contagious.

Letter K

Kinetic- relating to or involving movement

Example sentence: The kinetic energy of the particles could not be seen by the naked eye.

Letter L

Lethargic – tired and sleepy; lacking energy or enthusiasm

Example sentence: The lethargic dog was not interested in going for a walk.

Luminescent – producing or emitting light, especially as a result of a chemical or electrical reaction

Example sentence: The luminescent system of the jellyfish was a fascinating sight.

Letter M

Macabre – involving or suggestive of death or violence

Example sentence: The macabre scene was not for the faint of heart.

Magnanimous – generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or enemy

Example sentence: He was magnanimous in victory.

Malevolent – having or showing a wish to do evil to others

Example sentence: The malevolent creature hissed and spat at us.

Misanthropy – hatred of humanity

Example sentence: Her misanthropy was evident in the way she spoke about other people.

Letter N

Nefarious – extremely wicked

Example sentence: The nefarious activities of the criminal organization were finally exposed.

Nihilism – the belief that nothing in the world has any real meaning or value

Example sentence: His nihilistic outlook on life was quite depressing.

Letter O

Obfuscation – making something difficult to understand, usually intentionally

Example sentence: The obfuscation of the legal language made it difficult to understand the document.

Obsequious – too eager to help or please someone in authority

Example sentence: The obsequious waiter was always at her beck and call.

Omniscient – knowing everything

Example sentence: The omniscient being was all-seeing and all-knowing.

Ostentatious – trying to impress people by displaying wealth or success

Example sentence: The ostentatious car could be seen far down the street.

Letter P

Paradigm – a typical example or pattern of something; a model

Example sentence: The new paradigm of online education is changing the way we learn.

Partisanship – strong support for a particular person or political party

Example sentence: Partisanship was evident in the way they spoke about the other candidate.

Pedantic – insulting way to describe someone that is concerned with minor details and rules rather than the main issue

Example sentence: The pedantic teacher was always correcting her students.

Pejorative – expresses disapproval or negative sentiments

Example sentence: The pejorative term “welfare queen” is often used to describe someone who is lazy and lives off of government assistance.

Perspicacious – having or showing an ability to notice and understand things quickly

Example sentence: Her perspicacious mind was always one step ahead.

Philanthropy – the desire to help others, especially by giving money to good causes

Example sentence: Her philanthropy was well-known throughout Ireland, and she donated to many causes.

Platitude – a remark or statement that is often repeated and is true but has become dull or meaningless because it is too familiar

Example sentence: The platitude “time heals all wounds” was of little comfort to her.

Polygamy – the practice or custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time

Example sentence: Polygamy is illegal in many countries.

Pragmatic – dealing with things sensibly, realistically and practically

Example sentence: Her pragmatic approach to problem-solving was a breath of fresh air.

Precipitous – done suddenly or impulsively without proper thought or care

Example sentence: His precipitous decision to quit his job was a mistake.

Prestige – high status or respect that comes from having a lot of power, success, or fame

Example sentence: The prestigious university was challenging to get into.

Prodigal – wasteful or extravagant with money or resources

Example sentence: His prodigal spending led to his financial ruin.

Propaganda – information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view

Example sentence: The propaganda campaign was successful in swaying public opinion.

Letter Q

Quintessential – embodying the most perfect or typical example of something

Example sentence: The quintessential Irish farmhouse was picturesque and charming.

Quixotic – idealistic but impractical

Example sentence: His quixotic dream of becoming a professional singer was never realized.

Letter R

Rambunctious – noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline

Example sentence: The rambunctious children were a handful, especially on long drives.

Rhetoric – the art of using language effectively and persuasively

Example sentence: The politician’s rhetoric was designed to appeal to the masses.

Letter S

Serendipity – finding something good or useful by chance

Example sentence: It was serendipity that led her to find the perfect dress.

Stereotype – a fixed or conventional notion or image

Example sentence: The stereotype of the lazy teenager is often inaccurate.

Superficial – not true or real; existing or appearing only on the surface

Example sentence: Her superficial beauty was only skin-deep.

Syzygy – the alignment of three celestial bodies in a straight line

Example sentence: The syzygy of the sun, moon, and Earth can cause an eclipse.

Letter T

Transcendentalism – the belief that spirituality is based on intuititive thinking and self reflection, allowing us to breakthrough to a higher spiritual level

Example sentence: His transcendentalism led him to believe in things that others could not see.

Letter U

Ubiquitous – present or being everywhere at the same time

Example sentence: The ubiquitous presence of technology in our lives is a recent phenomenon.

Unprecedented – never done or known before

Example sentence: The company’s unprecedented success was a surprise to everyone.

Letter V

Vacuous – having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence

Example sentence: His vacuous comments indicated that he had not really understood the question.

Vitriol – harsh or bitter criticism

Example sentence: The vitriol in her voice was unmistakable.

Voluptuous – brings pleasure to the senses; having a full, rounded shape, curvy (typically used to describe body types)

Example sentence: Kim Kardashian has voluptuous curves

Letter W

Wanderlust – a strong, instinctive desire to travel and explore the world

Example sentence: Her wanderlust led her to quit her job and travel the world.

Whimsical – fanciful, playful, unpredictable, imaginative

Example sentence: The whimsical decorations made the party feel like a fairytale.

Letter X

Xenophobia – fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or anything that is strange or different

Example sentence: The xenophobia of the town was evident in their treatment of the refugees.

Letter Z

zealous – having or showing great energy and enthusiasm for something

Example sentence: He was zealous in his pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee.

Zesty – having a strong, pleasant taste or smell, full of flavour

Example sentence: The zesty lemonade was a refreshing change from the usual.

In Conclusion

There are many words in the English language that are deep in meaning and can be used to describe a wide range of things. These words are often used in literature and speech to convey a certain feeling or image. They are also useful in everyday conversation to add depth and interest. By exploring the different depths of meaning in words, we can expand our vocabulary and communication skills.

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I’m an Irish tutor and founder of TPR Teaching. I started teaching in 2016 and have since taught in the UK, Spain, and online.

I love learning new things about the English language and how to teach it better. I’m always trying to improve my knowledge, so I can better meet the needs of others!

I enjoy traveling, nature walks, and soaking up a new culture. Please share the posts if you find them helpful!

unique-english-words

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Last updated:

February 1, 2023

Have you ever heard someone say an English word you didn’t understand?

A lot of English words come from other cultures and languages, so English has a ton of interesting words that you may not be familiar with yet.

The words in this post are considered unique because they have unusual spelling, pronunciation and meanings.

For each word, there is a pronunciation guide from Merriam-Webster, as well as our own audio, plus a definition and an example sentence.

So, let’s look at 16 unique words in English that you can add to your vocabulary lists!

Contents

  • 1. Flummox
  • 2. Dowdy
  • 3. Howdy
  • 4. Nincompoop
  • 5. Muesli
  • 6. Phlegm
  • 7. Baloney
  • 8. Myopic
  • 9. Bamboozle
  • 10. Phyllo
  • 11. Thwart
  • 12. Brouhaha
  • 13. Zeal
  • 14. Pneumatic
  • 15. Noxious
  • 16. Flimflam
  • Why Learn Unique Words in English?


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1. Flummox

Pronunciation: ˈflə-məks

When you read this word, does it jump out and make you a little confused?

If so, you were right to be confused and puzzled! That’s exactly what flummox (verb) means.

Whenever you see an unusual English word, you’re likely to be flummoxed for a bit until you check your dictionary and find out that its meaning is really quite simple.

2. Dowdy

Pronunciation: ˈdau̇-dē

This word looks simple but it’s unique in that it’s a pretty old word that’s not used often these days.

Dowdy (adjective) is used to describe something that’s old and shabby, not modern or stylish.

Maybe she’s having a bad day. I’ve never seen her wearing anything so dowdy before.

3. Howdy

Pronunciation: ˈhau̇-dē

This word rhymes with the previous word but means something completely different.

Howdy is a casual greeting that is not commonly used, but can add some flavor to your English.

4. Nincompoop

Pronunciation: ˈnin-kəm-ˌpüp

Here’s a word that not only looks funny but sounds funny too. Try saying it out loud!

What’s even funnier is that nincompoop (noun) means a silly person and is sometimes used jokingly to refer to someone who is not very smart.

My house is just down the road from the bus stop. I don’t understand how those nincompoops managed to lose their way.

5. Muesli

Pronunciation: ˈmyüs-lē

Notice the unusual spelling and pronunciation of this word, which was first used in 1939.

Muesli (noun) is a cereal consisting of rolled oats, fruits and nuts. It’s a popular breakfast food in Switzerland.

Eating a bowl of muesli in the morning is a healthy way to start your day.

6. Phlegm

Pronunciation: ˈflem

This word is unusual in that its spelling doesn’t reflect how it’s pronounced.

Phlegm (noun) is the viscous (thick) fluid that blocks your nose and throat when you have the flu.

Phlegm and a runny nose can really make you feel uncomfortable, so it’s best to take the day off and stay home till you feel better.

7. Baloney

Pronunciation: bə-ˈlō-nē

According to Merriam-Webster, this word was first used almost 100 years ago! Do you know what it means? Hint: It has nothing to do with balloons. 

Baloney (noun) simply means nonsense and is often used when you disagree with someone.

That’s baloney! Don’t believe a word that he says!

8. Myopic

Pronunciation: mī-ˈō-pik

You may find this word unique because of its unusual spelling.

Myopic (adjective) is the scientific word for nearsightedness, an eye condition in which you’re unable to see objects or images that are far away from you.

I’m myopic. I really need my eyeglasses. I can’t see without them.

9. Bamboozle

Pronunciation: bam-ˈbü-zəl

This word was first used around 300 years ago. That’s really old! Any idea what it means? Hint: It’s not related to bamboo.

To bamboozle (verb) someone means to trick or confuse them.

I went to buy a TV that was on sale but ended up being bamboozled into buying a more expensive unit.

10. Phyllo

Pronunciation: ˈfē-(ˌ)lō

Now, this is a pretty unique word not only because of the way it’s spelled but also because of how it’s pronounced.

Phyllo (noun) is a very thin dough that pastry chefs layer together to form a flaky pastry.

The orange-pecan baklava pie I had yesterday was made with phyllo pastry. Yummy!

11. Thwart

Pronunciation: ˈthwȯrt

This word dates back to the 13th century. Indeed, its spelling is similar to how some old English words are spelled, and it’s unique because it’s still used quite often today.

To thwart (verb) means to ruin (spoil) someone’s efforts or to prevent a plan from becoming successful.

We spent months preparing to climb Mount Everest. Who knew the weather would thwart our plans at the last minute?

12. Brouhaha

Pronunciation: ˈbrü-ˌhä-ˌhä

Here’s an old-fashioned, informal word with a funny pronunciation that was taken directly from French. Are you laughing now? I bet you are. Ha-ha!

Brouhaha (noun) simply means an uproar (upset) or a lot of anger and complaining.

What’s with all that brouhaha? I think he did the right thing by resigning from his position.

13. Zeal

Pronunciation: ˈzēl

Words that begin with the letter “z” are always interesting. This one is also unique because it comes from Latin and Greek and was first used in the 14th century.

Zeal (noun) refers to a strong interest or eagerness in pursuing something.

Her zeal for handmade designer shoes and handbags has made her the talk of the town.

14. Pneumatic

Pronunciation: nu̇-ˈma-tik

Does this word look unusual to you? I find the spelling very interesting. It’s not common for the letter “p” to be followed by “n.”

Pneumatic (adjective) is used to describe something that’s filled with air or gas or that uses air pressure.

Can you think of an example of something that’s pneumatic? That’s right. Car tires, bicycle pumps and vacuum cleaners are all pneumatic.

15. Noxious

Pronunciation: ˈnäk-shəs

Words with the letter “x” are also quite interesting. Note the pronunciation of this word, as it’s not usually how you would pronounce the letter “x.”

Noxious (adjective) often refers to something that’s dangerous, harmful or destructive to living things.

You shouldn’t be standing behind that bus and breathing in all those noxious fumes. It’s bad for your health.

16. Flimflam

Pronunciation: ˈflim-ˌflam

Now here’s a cute and funny word that’s been around since the 16th century, according to Merriam-Webster. Can you guess its meaning?

Flimflam (noun) refers to a trick or a ploy to deceive someone.

If you’re going to buy a used car online, you must be able to separate the flimflam from the facts.

Why Learn Unique Words in English?

Because unique and unusual words are so interesting, they can be both good fun and challenging to learn.

When you look at a unique English word, you may be puzzled about how to pronounce it, or you may wonder why it’s spelled the way it is.

Apart from satisfying curiosity and challenging yourself, it’s easy to see why knowing unique words can be useful if you’re someone who loves playing word games. Many of these words may not be used very often, which may put you at an advantage to win!

Finally, because unusual English words are used less often, using them will make you sound smart.

Remember, the more you practice with these unique English words the more fluent you’ll sound, and you’ll surely impress a lot of people! Learning unique words is one path to becoming an advanced English learner.

So there you have it—a list of unique English words you can add to your vocabulary!

To learn more unusual words by hearing them in context, watch an English-language movie or try a virtual immersion program. FluentU, for example, teaches English vocabulary using web videos enhanced with interactive captions.

So, go out there, have fun and impress everyone!


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No one can deny that there is huge collection of new and interesting English words which you can use in your daily conversation. Unfortunately, people don’ search for new words and stick to old ones and use them. When you use old words, it makes people to let go out of interest while talking to you. 

It does not make any sense in this fast growing era. But it does not late, you can still have chance to learn unique English words with proper meaning.  There are some words which you may hear before, but don’t know the meaning at all. 

If you polish your vocabulary and try to use these new words, then you can impress the listeners instantly. It helps you to put good impact on people because these new and unique words attract most. 

It is not possible for someone to memorize these words at once. In this way, the best solution is to learn five words a day. After this, test yourself to use these words in your daily life conversation. Once you initiate, then do this according to plan. With the passage of time, you will notice that number of new and unique words in your updated vocabulary. 

Here we have some unique English vocabulary words with useful meaning to add in your vocabulary. All these are listed in a array of A-Z. Let’s dive into the river of these unique words.

Logolepsy:

It is sort of fascination and obsession with words. It explains to keep your wisdom search and curiosity high.

Eunoia:

It means a well mind or beautiful consideration regarding to someone or something. Eunoia is Greek word and also sometime known as English vocabulary word. This word comprises of all the five vowels words. Always be positive and keep your thinking clear.

Tacenda:

It means the things better left unsaid. Or also meant for the matter will not elaborate if pass over in silence. Mostly, people speak carelessly and they don’t even realise what to say and what to not. That’s why; one should think and then speak in order to not hurt other. Similarly, it is not right to say everything, but left some words to let the matter cool. 

Saudade:

This unique word explains the feeling of melancholy, longing or nostalgic. It comes from Galician and Portugeuse languages and gives indirect translation in English. Although it is unique and gives the meaning that sometime it becomes good for us to move along. The more you look forward, it is good to look in past, remind and then smile. 

Kilig:

Happy feelings; as butterflies in someone’s stomach. It actually came from the Philippine culture. At the time of happiness we can’t express our feelings, so now the word “Kilig” refer for these feelings. 

Namaste:

This unique word comes out from Hindi language which pronounces in respectful greetings. It shows divine gesture while greeting. This word is split into two, “Nama” stands for “bow” and “te” means “You”. So collectively it means for I bow for you in respect. 

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There are many meaningful words in the English language that have fascinating meanings. This article will compile plenty of beautiful English words, and words with a powerful meaning, so that you can enrich your vocabulary by quite a lot.

When it comes to words with deep meanings, the English language has plenty of words that are not utilized very often but have incredibly deep meanings. These words have very powerful meanings, and are definitely worth learning about in spite of everything else.

Here we’ve created a list of 100 English words that have deep meanings, and below the list we’ve also explained the reasoning for quite a few of the words that we’ve chosen, so that you can really learn about them.

Words With Deep Meaning

  • Abomasum
  • Absquatulate
  • Adagio
  • Alfresco
  • Alcazar
  • Amok
  • Amphisbaena
  • Antimacassar
  • Atingle
  • Bailiwick
  • Bafflegab
  • Ballistic
  • Bamboozle
  • Bedlam
  • Bugbear
  • Bulbous
  • Calamity
  • Calliope
  • Catamaran
  • Convivial
  • Cornucopia
  • Crescendo
  • Crestfallen
  • Cryptozoology
  • Demitasse
  • Derecho
  • Diphthong
  • Doldrums
  • Doohickey
  • Doppelgänger
  • Dumbfounded
  • Earwig
  • Elixir
  • Ephemeral
  • Ersatz
  • Finagle
  • Festooned
  • Fez
  • Flimflam
  • Flummery
  • Flyspeck
  • Foofaraw
  • Fracas
  • Frangipani
  • Fuddy-duddy
  • Futz
  • Gadzooks
  • Gambit
  • Gazebo
  • Gizmo
  • Glabella
  • Gossamer
  • Guffaw
  • Guru
  • Haboob
  • Halcyon
  • Haphazard
  • Headlong
  • Heyday
  • Hodgepodge
  • Hokum
  • Hooligan
  • Hullabaloo
  • Huzzah
  • Ignoramus
  • Infinitesimal
  • Interrobang
  • Izzard
  • Jabberwocky
  • Jalopy
  • Jitney
  • Juggernaut
  • Juxtaposition
  • Kaput
  • Kerfuffle
  • Kerplunk
  • Kismet
  • Kumquat
  • Kvetch
  • Lackadaisical
  • Lampoon
  • Limburger
  • Lollapalooza
  • Lollygag
  • Lugubrious
  • Lummox
  • Machinations
  • Maelstrom
  • Manifesto
  • Miffed
  • Moocher
  • Mnemonic
  • Mufti
  • Mulligatawny
  • Murmuration
  • Muumuu
  • Nabob
  • Nagware
  • Nainsook
  • Nesh

Beautiful Words With Deep Meaning

If you’re looking for beautiful words with deep meanings, then look no further. Some beautiful words that have deep meanings are “adagio”, “bedlam”, “bugbear” and “ersatz”.

Whenever a piece of music is intentionally performed in a slow tempo, that’s what we refer to as an “adagio”, and it’s a beautiful word.

If you’ve got a very chaotic, messy situation, you can use the beautiful term “bedlam” to refer to this situation, as that’s what it refers to.

The beautiful word “bugbear” refers to a source of fear, whether it’s a real object or an imaginary one, as long as the fear is needless.

If you’ve got the replacement of something, you can refer to it by calling it the “ersatz”, which is a very beautiful word.

Here are some more elegant words with deep meanings:

  • Adagio
  • Bedlam
  • Bugbear
  • Ersatz
  • Finagle
  • Fez
  • Flyspeck
  • Fracas
  • Futz
  • Gambit

Unique Words With Deep Meaning

The English language is home to plenty of uncommon unique words with deep meanings. Some particular unique words that have deep meanings are “alcazar”, “bafflegab”, “calamity” and “crestfallen”.

An “alcazar” is a specific type of Spanish castle, and it’s a very unique word with a meaning we don’t see very often in English.

Whenever someone is explaining something but they’re using a lot of weird and confusing jargon, you can say that they’re speaking in “bafflegab”, which is another unique word.

If you’ve got a very terrible situation, then you can say that it’s basically a “calamity”, which is of course another unique word with a deep meaning.

If someone is particularly disappointed and depressed about something, a unique way to describe that person is to refer to them as being “crestfallen”.

Here are some more special words with deep meanings:

  • Alcazar
  • Bafflegab
  • Calamity
  • Crestfallen
  • Cryptozoology
  • Derecho
  • Doldrums
  • Earwig
  • Ephemeral
  • Flimflam

Cool Words With Deep Meaning

There are actually many cool words with deep meanings you can use in English. Some of these words are “bamboozle”, “bulbous”, “cornucopia” and “gadzooks”.

If you perform a trick or a scam on someone, then you can refer to that scam by calling it a “bamboozle”, which is a fairly cool word.

Whenever something holds the shape of a bulb, then you can refer to it as “bulbous”, and you’ll be using a cool word with a deep meaning.

If you’ve got an unlimited or seemingly unlimited supply of something, you can refer to that something by calling it a “cornucopia”, which is an incredibly cool word to use.

Whenever you’re surprised and you want to use a cool, uncommon word, you can scream out “gadzooks” and express your surprise in that way.

Here are some more cool words with deep meanings:

  • Bamboozle
  • Bulbous
  • Cornucopia
  • Gadzooks
  • Gazebo
  • Gizmo
  • Glabella
  • Haboob
  • Halcyon
  • Haphazard

Rare Words With Deep Meaning

The English language is home to plenty of unusual words that have deep meanings. Here we’ve collected some rare words that have deep meanings, such as “bailiwick”, “convivial”, “demitasse” and “doppelgänger”.

If you want to refer to someone’s area of expertise using a rare word, you can simply refer to their “bailiwick”, which is a fairly uncommon word.

Whenever someone is fairly friendly to you, you can refer to them with a rare word by saying that they’re a very “convivial” person.

The “demitasse” is a small cup in which you serve black coffee to drink specifically after dinner, and it is naturally a fairly rare word.

In old folklore, the “doppelgänger” is the double or the counterpart to a living person, and it’s a very rare word nowadays without a doubt.

Here are some more unusual words that have deep meanings nonetheless:

  • Bailiwick
  • Convivial
  • Demitasse
  • Doppelgänger
  • Dumbfounded
  • Foofaraw
  • Fuddy-duddy
  • Guffaw
  • Guru
  • Heyday

martin lassen dam grammarhow

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.

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12 Unique Words And Their Meanings

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I find words and their definitions to be endlessly fascinating. It amazes me that the simple 26 letters in the English alphabet can be arranged in a seemingly endless variety that creates so many different meanings, stories, and feelings. Language is such a beautiful thing, and quite often in life, we get stuck in a daily routine with our language. We tend to use words that are comfortable to us and don’t often actively seek out ways to expand our vocabulary. Here are some words that, even if you don’t start using in your vocabulary, are gorgeous in sound and meaning. Try keeping them in your head and living through them in your life.

1. Logolepsy: (n.) an obsession or fascination with words.

This seems like an appropriate way to start this list. Always keep your curiosity high and your search for wisdom higher.

2. Eunoia: (n.) beautiful thinking; a well mind.

This word comes from the Greek word εὔνοια which directly means a «well mind.» It is also the shortest word in the English language that contains all of the five main vowels. Try to always keep your thoughts clear and your mind positive.

3. Tacenda: (n.) things better left unsaid; matters to be passed over in silence.

Sometimes it is better when things are left unsaid. Often in life, we tend to speak too much and too carelessly. Think before you hurt someone and leave some words unsaid when necessary.

4. Saudade: (n.) the feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia.

This word is from the Portugeuse and Galician languages and has no direct translation in English. However, it is still an interesting word that reminds us that sometimes it is okay to long for the past. As long as your head and heart are facing forward, it is all right to look to the past and remember and smile (shameless Blink-182 plug).

5. Kilig: (n.) the feeling of butterflies in one’s stomach.

This word comes from the Philippine culture. We all know what this feels like, and now we can actually refer to it with a word. Never lose your sense of excitement and never let fear hold you back from something that makes your stomach swoon.

6. Namaste: (exclamation) a respectful greeting.

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Namaste is a Hindi word that has roots in Sanskrit. With the rise of yogi culture in the United States, I feel like we often hear and use «namaste» without fully understanding its meaning (for example, «Namaste in bed» really just has no relation to the word besides comedic aspects). This gesture reflects the belief that a Divine spark is within all of us and is a way of acknowledging the soul in the self by the soul in another. Nama means bow, as means I, and te means you. Thus, Namaste means “bow me you” or “I bow to you.”

7. Orenda: (n.) a mystical force present in all people that empowers them to affect the world, or to effect change in their own lives.

Orenda is an Iroquois name for this spiritual power inherent in all people (oʊrɛndə). You possess endless internal power. Remember this and never feel useless or unimportant.

8. Serein: (n.) fine rain falling after sunset from a sky in which no clouds are visible.

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With origins in the French language, this word reflects the feeling of evening serenity that results from the rain that falls when no clouds are present. I think it should remind us all of feelings of peace.

9. Sunyata: (n.) emptiness; voidness; openness.

While this may sound like a very negative definition, this word has roots in Sanskrit and is central to the Buddhist religion. It is the true reality of all worldly existences (people, things, and the self). Sunyata is the ability to disentangle the self from attachments and thus from being unsatisfied and disappointed. By not associating profound meaning to certain people and things (realizing everything is fluid and in reality, empty of the associations we give them), we erase the unhappiness that results from high expectations.

10. Marahuyo: (adj.) to be enchanted.

Allow yourself to be swept away by the beauty and enchantment of the world around us.

11. Wanderlust: (n.) a strong desire to travel.

This one may be the most popular on the list, but I still think it is an important one. Adventure is out there. Never stop looking for it.

12. Bodhi: (n.) enlightenment; awakening.

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Also a Sanskrit term, this is the ultimate happiness. To rid the self of ego, the need for possessions, and attachments to other things, is the ultimate way to achieve awakening or happiness. Believe in yourself and the power that you have within yourself and you can have the strength to listen to your heart and be the happiest you can be.

Always continue to seek out new things and work towards the best you that you can be! Use language for beauty, not for destruction.


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