Word with the most beautiful meaning

Are you a logophile (a lover of words)? Do you hoard words? Are you a word nerd? Do you believe in epeolatry (the worship of words)? Then you’re in the right place. This list of unusual and beautiful words with deep meanings will not only enrich your vocabulary but also allow you to perceive the world differently.

Words are powerful. They have a way of transforming people and their lives. Words inspire, stir, challenge, move, touch, and intrigue us.

Did you know there’s a word that has no one meaning? It’s Eglaf. It can be used in place of any other word and describes many things.

I’ve compiled a list of unusual words with beautiful meanings that stir my mind and soul. Apart from my favorite beautiful English words, the list has foreign words with beautiful meanings that I learned during my years of travels to different countries. Most of them are simply untranslatable into English but perfectly translate hard-to-be-expressed-in-words emotions.

Read More: 100 Unique and Creative Travel Words with Beautiful Meanings

Want to add mellifluous, invigorating, heartfelt, and the most beautiful words in the world to your vocabulary? Arm yourself with these unique words in different languages and thank me later 🙂 Let’s get going with these prettiest words!

#1 Mellifluous (adj.)

Pronunciation: muh-li-floo-uhs

Origin: Latin

Definition: A sound that’s pleasing and sweet to hear

#2 Apricity (n.)

Pronunciation: a-PRIS-i-tee

Origin: Latin

Definition: The warmth of the sun in winter

#3 Rakuyou (n.)

Pronunciation: ra-ku-yo

Origin: Japanese (落葉 )

Definition: Golden fallen or shedded leaves

Now that we are talking about our favorite season (Autumn), how can we not talk about the beautiful East Coast Fall Destinations? Nothing is more autumnal than going for a stroll with crisp golden fallen or shredded leaves beneath your feet!

#4 Retrouvailles (n.)

Pronunciation: ruh-troov-eye

Origin: French

Definition: The happiness of meeting again after a long time

#5 Hitoritabi (n.)

Origin: Japanese

Definition: Traveling alone, solitary journey

#6 Luftmensch (n.)

Pronunciation: LOOFT-mensh

Origin: Yiddish

Definition: An impractical dreamer, literally an air person, someone with her head in the clouds

#7 Raconteur (n.)

Pronunciation: ra-kawn-tuh

Origin: French

Definition: A talented storyteller who’s able to spin amusing tales from everyday tales; A person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way

#8 Sirimiri (n.)

Pronunciation: si-ri-mi-ri

Origin: Spanish

Definition: A light rain; A fine drizzle; Stronger than mist but less than a shower

#9 Rimjhim (n.)

Pronunciation: rim-jhim

Origin: Sanskrit

Definition: The pitter-patter of a light drizzle

#10 Petrichor (n.)

Pronunciation: PET-ri-kuhr

Origin: Greek

Definition: The mild and pleasant smell or scent of earth associated with the first rain after a dry spell

Suggested Read: 14 Beautiful Norwegian Words We Need in English Now!

#11 Morii (n.)

Pronunciation:

Origin: The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Definition: The desire to capture a fleeting moment

#12 Fernweh (n.)

Pronunciation: FEIRN-veyh

Origin: German

Definition: An ache for distant places; A strong desire to travel to far off places; Being homesick for a place you’ve never been; A longing for unseen places even stronger than wanderlust

Read More: Travel Quotes to Inspire Wanderlust

#13 Resfeber (n.)

Pronunciation: RACE-fay-ber

Origin: Swedish

Definition: The restless race of the traveler’s heart before the journey begins, when anxiety and anticipation are tangled together; A travel fever that can manifest as an illness

Related Read: Beautiful Swedish Words

#14 Nefelibata (n.)

Pronunciation: ne-fe-lE-‘ba-ta

Origin: Portuguese

Definition: Literally translates to “cloud-walker”; Colloquially “daydreamer”; One who lives in the clouds of their own imagination or dreams; One who does not obey the conventions of society, literature, or art.

#15 Smultronställe (n.)

Pronunciation: “smUl-tron-‘stel-e

Origin: Swedish

Definition: Literally “place of wild strawberries” a special place discovered, treasured, returned to for solace and relaxation; A personal idyll free from stress or sadness.

#16 Dustsceawung (n.)

Pronunciation: ‘dUst-shA-a-wung (DOOST-shay-ah-wung)

Origin: Old English

Definition: Literally “contemplation of the dust”; Reflection on former civilizations and people, and on the knowledge that all things will turn to dust

#17 Heliophilia (n.)

Pronunciation: hE-lE-O-‘fil-E-a

Origin: Greek

Definition: Desire to stay in the sun; Love of sunlight

#18 Nakakapagpabagabag (adj.)

Pronunciation: na-ka-ka-PAG-pa-ba-ga-bag

Origin: Tagalog (Filipino)

Definition: Worrisome

PS: It’s hard to pronounce for the native speakers too so don’t worry if you can’t 🙂 Such a variety of pretty words in other languages.

#19 Brontide (n.)

Pronunciation: bron-tahyd

Origin: Greek

Definition: The low rumble of distant thunder

#20 Aesthete (n.)

Pronunciation: “es-THEt (ess-THEET)

Origin: Greek

Definition: Someone who cultivates an unusually high sensitivity to beauty, as in art or nature

#21 Sophrosyne (n.)

Pronunciation: sō-fros′i-nē (suh-FROS-uh-nee)

Origin: Greek

Definition: Soundness of mind, characterized by moderation, self-control, and prudence

#22 Elysian (adj.)

Pronunciation: uh-li-zee-uhn

Origin: Greek
Definition: Beautiful or creative; Divinely inspired; Peaceful and perfect

#23 Mångata (n.)

Pronunciation: moon-gah-ta

Origin: Swedish

Definition: The glimmering roadlike reflection of the moon on the water

#24 Koi no yokan (n.)

Pronunciation: koy-noh-yo-kin

Origin: Japanese

Definition: Literally translates to “premonition of love”; The extraordinary sense one has upon first meeting someone that they will one day fall in love

#25 Abditory (n.)

Origin: Latin

Definition: A place into which you can disappear; A hiding place

#26 Flawsome (adj.)

Pronunciation: flaw-suhm

Origin: coined by the supermodel, Tyra Banks in their show ANTM (America’s Next Top Model)

Definition: an individual who embraces their quirks and flaws and knows they are awesome regardless

#27 Datsuzoku (n.)

Pronunciation: thatza-zoku

Origin: Japanese

Definition: An escape from your everyday routine

#28 Rame (adj.)

Pronunciation: raim
Origin: Balinese

Definition: Something that’s both chaotic and joyful at the same time

#29 Vacilando (v.)

Origin: Spanish

Definition: To wander or travel with the knowledge that the journey is more important than the destination

#30 Lehitkalev (v.)

Origin: Hebrew

Definition: Literally “to dog it”; To put up with a lower standard of uncomfortable conditions of living or travel

#31 Komorebi (n.)

Pronunciation: KOH-MOH-REHB-i

Origin: Japanese

Definition: The effect of sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees; The interplay of the aesthetics between the light and the leaves when sunlight shines through trees

#32 Metanoia (n.)

Pronunciation: meh-tah-NOY-ah

Origin: Greek

Definition: The journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self, or way of life; Spiritual conversation

#33 Peregrinate (v.)

Pronunciation: PAIR-uh-gruh-nayt

Origin: Latin

Definition: To travel or wander from place to place

#34 Perambulate (v.)

Pronunciation: puh-ram-byoo-leit

Origin: Latin

Definition: to walk or travel through or around a place or area, especially for pleasure and in a leisurely way

#35 Peripatetic (n.)

Pronunciation: peh-ruh-puh-teh-tuhk

Origin: Greek

Definition: One who walks about; A nomad; An itinerant

#36 Shinrin-yoku (n.)

Pronunciation: shindin-yoku

Origin: Japanese

Definition: To go deep into the woods for its restorative benefits; The Japanese way of forest bathing as nature therapy for peace of mind, restful sleep, and physical health

#37 Shinrabansho (n.)

Pronunciation: shi-nra-banshoo

Origin: Japanese

Definition: Literally translates to “All nature”; everything that exists in the universe

#38 Flâneur (n.)

Pronunciation: flah-neur

Origin: French

Definition: Someone who saunters or ambles around aimlessly but enjoyably observing life and his surroundings

#39 Gadabout (n.)

Pronunciation: gad-uh-bout

Origin: Middle English

Definition: A person who travels often or to many different places, especially for pleasure

#40 Hiraeth (n.)

Pronunciation: heer-eye-th

Origin: Welsh

Definition: A homesickness for a home to which you cannot return, a home which maybe never was; The nostalgia, the yearning, the grief for the lost places of your past

#41 Toska (n.)

Pronunciation: tuh-skah

Origin: Russian

Definition: The ache of the soul; Longing with nothing to long for

#42 Dépaysement (n.)

Pronunciation: depeizmɑ̃

Origin: French

Definition: Change of scene, disorientation, culture shock; Feeling that comes from being away from your own home country, in a foreign land, surrounded by strangers; The sense of being a fish out of water

#43 Dès vu (n.)

Origin: French

Definition: Literally translates to ” seen as soon as”; The awareness that this will become a memory

#44 Rasāsvāda (n.)

Pronunciation: ra-sas-vah-da

Origin: Sanskrit

Definition: Literally translates to appreciating the taste and flavor of juice; Perception of pleasure; The taste of bliss in the absence of all thoughts

#45 Cynefin (n.)

Pronunciation: ku-nev-in

Origin: Welsh

Definition: Literally translates to “habitat”; A place or the time when we instinctively belong or feel most connected; The artist Kyffin Williams described it as a relationship: the place of your birth and of your upbringing, the environment in which you live and to which you are naturally acclimatized

#46 Safarnama (n.)

Pronunciation: su-fur-nama

Origin: Persian

Definition: Travelogue; An account of the travels

We have a safarnama. Do you?

#47 Saudade (n.)

Pronunciation: ‘sau-“da-dE

Origin: Portuguese

Definition: “the love that remains” even after someone is gone; a nostalgic or melancholic longing to be near again to something or someone that is distant, or that has been loved and then lost

#48 Yūgen (n.)

Pronunciation: yoo-gehn

Origin: Japanese

Definition: A profound and mysterious sense of the beauty and awareness of the universe that triggers a deep emotional response

#49 Wabi-Sabi (n.)

Pronunciation: wah-bee-sah-bee

Origin: Japanese

Definition: A Japanese concept and art of imperfect beauty; The discovery of beauty within the imperfections of life and art; the acceptance of the cycle of life and death

#50 Ukiyo (n.)

Pronunciation: u-key-yo

Origin: Japanese

Definition: Literally translates to “the floating world”; Living in the moment, detached from the bothers of life

#51 Ikigai (n.)

Pronunciation: ee-kee-guy

Origin: Japanese

Definition: A Japanese concept literally translates to “a reason for being”; ‘a reason to get up in the morning’, to enjoy the meaning of life – passion, purpose, something one lives for

#52 Apprivoise (adj.)

Pronunciation: ap-privoise

Origin: French

Definition: Literally translates to “to tame”; To form a bond with one another; to become known to each other through small moments

We are half-way through these best words. Are you also loving these beautiful foreign words?

#53 Wu wei (n.)

Pronunciation: woo-wey

Origin: Chinese

Definition: A Chinese concept and art of conscious non-action; literally translates to “inexertion”, “inaction”, or “effortless action”, or “action without action”; To embrace the flow instead of an effort to achieve a result; A deliberate and principled decision to do nothing for a reason

#54 Còsagach (n.)

Pronunciation: coze-a-goch

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Definition: Scottish hygge; A feeling of being snug, sheltered, and warm, inspired by fluffy rugs, cozy fires, outdoor hot tubs, and wood-burning stoves; Finding comfort in life’s simple pleasures

#55 Lagom (adv.)

Pronunciation: la-gum

Origin: Swedish

Definition: Translates to “in moderation”, “in balance”, “perfectly-simple”, “just enough”, and “suitable”; The Swedish concept of having just the right amount; not too much, not too little, just right

#56 Gigil (n.)

Pronunciation: GHEE-gheel

Origin: Filipino

Definition: The overwhelming urge to squeeze or pinch something that’s irresistibly cute and adorable

#57 Ataraxia (n.)

Pronunciation: at-uh-rak-see-uh

Origin: Greek

Definition: A state of freedom from emotional disturbance and anxiety; Tranquility or untroubled mind

#58 Musafir (n.)

Pronunciation: musa-fir

Origin: Arabic

Definition: Traveler

Here’s a list of amazing places to visit around the world for a traveler (Musafir) in you!

#59 Wayfarer (n.)

Pronunciation: wey-fair-er

Origin: English

Definition: Someone who travels, especially on foot

#60 Absquatulate (v.)

Pronunciation: ab-skwoch-uh-leyt

Origin: North American English

Definition: To leave without saying goodbye; Leave abruptly

#61 Wanderlust (n.)

Pronunciation: won-der-luhst

Origin: German

Definition: A strong, innate desire to travel and explore the world

Suggested Read: 40 Inspiring Quotes about Family Travel

#62 Utepils (n.)

Pronunciation: OOH-ta-pilz

Origin: Norwegian

Definition: Literally translates to “outdoors lager”; To sit outside enjoying a beer on a sunny day

Fancy a beer outside? What’s better than enjoying one under the Midnight Sun in the Finnish Lapland?

#63 Ballagàrraidh (n.)

Pronunciation: bal-la-ga-rye

Origin: coined by The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows inspired by the Scottish Gaelic word – balla gàrraidh

Definition: Literally translates to the “garden wall”; The awareness that you are not at home in the wilderness

#64 Acatalepsy (n.)

Pronunciation: ey-kat-l-ep-see

Origin: Greek

Definition: The impossibility of comprehending the universe; The incomprehensibility of things; The belief that human knowledge can never have true certainty

#65 Waldeinsamkeit (n.)

Pronunciation: VALD-eye-n-zam-kite

Origin: German

Definition: Forest solitude; The feeling of being alone in the woods

#66 Cockaigne (n.)

Pronunciation: kaw-KAYN

Origin: French

Definition: Literally translates to “the land of plenty”; An imaginary or a fabled land of luxury and idleness

#67 Sonder (v.)

Pronunciation: sohn-dehrr

Origin: coined by John Koeing of The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows inspired by German and French word – sonder

Definition: The realization that each passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own

#68 Boketto (v.)

Pronunciation: bo-ke-tto

Origin: Japanese

Definition: The act of gazing vacantly into the distance without a thought

#69 Sprachgefühl (n.)

Pronunciation: SHPRAHKH-guh-fuel

Origin: German

Definition: The character and spirit of a language; An intuitive sense of the rule and rhythm of language

#70 Solivagant (n.)

Pronunciation: “sO-li-‘vA-gant

Origin: Latin

Definition: A solitary wanderer; Someone who wanders alone

#71 Sehnsucht (n.)

Pronunciation: zEn-‘zUkt

Origin: German

Definition: A wistful longing or indescribable yearning in the heart for we know not what

#72 Serendipity (n.)

Pronunciation: seh-ruhn-DI-puh-tee

Origin: English

Definition: To find something good without looking for it; To discover something beautiful by chance or accidentally

#73 Mudita (n.)

Pronunciation: Muw-DIY-Taa

Origin: Sanskrit

Definition: Literally translates to “pure joy”; Sympathetic, vicarious joy; Taking delight in the happiness, success, and well-being of others

#74 Tsundoku (n.)

Pronunciation: tsoon-DOH-koo

Origin: Japanese

Definition: The art of buying books and leaving them unread, often piled together with other unread books; Book hoarding

#75 Voorpret (n.)

Pronunciation: VOR – pret 

Origin: Dutch

Definition: Pre-fun; The sense of enjoyment felt before party or event takes place; joy or pleasure ahead and in anticipation of the actual fun event

#76 Meraki (v.)

Pronunciation: may-rah-kee

Origin: Greek

Definition: To do something with soul, creativity, or love; to leave a piece and essence of yourself in your work

#77 Hanyauku (v.)

Pronunciation: ha-ahn-yoh-kuu

Origin: Kwangali (Namibia)

Definition: To walk on tiptoes across hot sand

#78 Jazba (n.)

Pronunciation: jaẕ-bā

Origin: Arabic

Definition: Strong desire or passion or emotion or sentiment

#79 Drapetomania (n.)

Pronunciation: drap-et-O-mAn-E-a

Origin: Greek

Definition: An overwhelming urge to run away

#80 Querencia (n.)

Pronunciation: kweeuh-ruhn-see-uh 

Origin: Spanish

Definition: A place where you are your most authentic self; A place from which your strength of character is drawn, where you feel safe, where you feel at home

#81 Quaquaversal (adj.)

Pronunciation: kwey-kwuh-VUR-suh l

Origin: Latin

Definition: Moving or happening in every direction instantaneously towards a center

#82 Heimweh (n.)

Pronunciation: heim·veyh

Origin: German

Definition: Homesickness; Longing for home; Nostalgia

#83 Heimat (n.)

Pronunciation: hai-mat

Origin: German

Definition: A place that you can call home; A sense of belongingness, acceptance, safety, and connection to the homeland.

#84 Dérive (n.)

Pronunciation: dih-rih-vee

Origin: French

Definition: Literally translates to “drift”; A spontaneous and unplanned journey where the traveler leaves their life behind for a time to let the spirit of landscape and architecture attract and move them

Does this ever happen to you? I felt that drift when I visited the Vis island in Croatia.

#85 Photophile (n.)

Pronunciation: pho-to-phile

Origin: English

Definition: Derived from the biological term “photophilic” for an organism that thrives in full light, it means a person who loves photography and light

#86 Ecophobia (n.)

Pronunciation: ih-ko-foh-bee-uh

Origin: English

Definition: A fear or dislike of one’s home

#87 Numinous (adj.)

Pronunciation: ‘nU-mi-nus

Origin: Latin

Definition: Literally translates to “divinity”; Describing an experience (mostly spiritual) that makes you fearful yet fascinated, awed yet attracted – the powerful, personal feeling of being overwhelmed and inspired

#88 Schwellenangst (n.)

Pronunciation: ‘shwel-en-ahngst

Origin: German

Definition: Fear of crossing a threshold to begin a new chapter; Fear of new things

#89 Strikhedonia (n.)

Pronunciation: “strik-he-‘dOn-E-a

Origin: Greek

Definition: The pleasure of being able to say “to hell with it”

#90 Vagary (n.)

Pronunciation: vuh-gair-ee, vey-guh-ree

Origin: Latin

Definition: An unpredictable instance, a wandering journey; A whimsical, wild, unusual idea, desire, or action

#91 Livsnjutare (n.)

Pronunciation: lives-noo-tuhreh

Origin: Swedish

Definition: Literally meaning, “enjoyer of life”, This describes someone who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme

#92 Commuovere (v.)

Pronunciation: com-muò-ve-re

Origin: Italian

Definition: To stir, to touch, to move to tears; To be moved in a heartwarming way, usually relating to a story that moved you to tears

#93 Abendrot (n.)

Pronunctaion: A-bend-rot  

Origin: German

Definition: Literally translates to “evening red”; The color of the sky while the sun is setting

#94 Serein (n.)

Pronunciation: suh-RAN

Origin: French

Definition: The fine, light rain that falls from a clear sky in the twilight hours after sunset or in the early hours of the night; Evening serenity

Read More: Sunset Quotes and Sunset Captions for Instagram

#95 Erlebnisse (n.)

Pronunciation: Ar-‘lEb-nis-e (ayr-LEEB-nis-eh)

Origin: German

Definition: The experiences, positive or negative, that we feel most deeply, and through which we truly live; Not mere experiences, but EXPERIENCES

#96 Astrophile (n.)

Pronunciation: as-trophile

Origin: English

Definition: A person who loves stars

Are you Astrophile? Then, you must take this epic stargazing road trip in Colorado!

#97 Psithurism (n.)

Pronunciation: sith-your-ism

Origin: English

Definition: The sound of the leaves rustling as the wind blows through the trees

#98 Trouvaille (n.)

Pronunciation: trU-‘vI

Origin: French

Definition: A chance encounter with something wonderful

#99 Hygge (n.)

Pronunciation: hue-guh

Origin: Danish

Definition: The warm feeling you get while enjoying the company of great friends and all life has to offer

Discover and experience the Danish concept of Hygge in Copenhagen! Hey, and also take a look at the beautiful Danish words!

#100 Onism (n.)

Origin: Danish

Definition: The awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience; The frustration of being stuck in just one body that inhabits only one place at a time

#101 Rückkehrunruhe (n.)

Pronuciation: rück·keh·run·ru·he, Rukeerenruhee

The feeling of returning home after an immersive trip only to find it fading rapidly from your awareness

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows defines – the feeling of returning home after an immersive trip only to find it fading rapidly from your awareness—to the extent you have to keep reminding yourself that it happened at all, even though it felt so vivid just days ago—which makes you wish you could smoothly cross-dissolve back into everyday life, or just hold the shutter open indefinitely and let one scene become superimposed on the next, so all your days would run together and you’d never have to call cut.

#102 Vemödalen (n.)

Pronunciation: ve·mö·da·len

Origin: Swedish

Definition: The fear that everything has already been done

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows defines – The frustration of photographing something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist—the same sunset, same waterfall, same curve of a hip, same closeup of an eye—which can turn a unique subject into something hollow and pulpy and cheap, like a mass-produced piece of furniture you happen to have assembled yourself.

#103 Kopfkino (n.)

Pronunciation: kopf·ki·no

Origin: German

Definition: Literally translates to “head cinema”; It’s the act of playing out an entire scenario in your mind

#104 Quaintrelle (n.)

Pronunciation: quAn-‘trel

Origin: Middle English

Definition: A woman who emphasizes a life of passion expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and cultivation of life’s pleasures

#105 Pulchritudinous (adj.)

Pronunciation: pul-kruh-TOO-di-nuhs

Origin: English

Definition: Beyond beautiful; A person of breathtaking, heartbreaking beauty

#106 Yoko meshi (n.)

Pronunciation: yoh–koh mesh-ee

Origin: Japanese

Definition: Literally translates to “a meal eaten sideways”; It’s a beautiful and untranslatable word that describes the stress of speaking a foreign language.

#107 Selcouth (adj.)

Pronunciation: sel′ko̅o̅th′

Origin: Old English

Definition: Unfamiliar, rare, and strange, yet marvelous and wondrous; The way we feel the sense of wonder and amazement when we see and experience something new and unusual whilst traveling

The selcouth beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park left us awestruck!

#108 Monachopsis (n.)

Pronunciation: mona-chop-sis, MON-a-Cop-sis

Origin: Greek

Definition: The subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place, not fitting in

#109 Eudaimonia (n.)

Pronunciation: U-de-‘mOn-E

Origin: Greek

Definition: Literally translates to “human flourishing;” A contented state of being happy, healthy, and prosperous; The way we feel while traveling

#110 Natsukashii (adj.)

Pronunciation: nats-ka-‘shE, nahtzkah-SHEE

Origin: Japanese (懐かしい )

Definition: Feeling nostalgic; Bringing back happy memories of the past

#111 Coddiwomple (v.)

Pronunciation: KAHD-ee-wahm-puhl

Origin: English slang

Definition: To travel purposefully towards an unknown or vague destination

#112 Novaturient (adj.)

Pronunciation: nuh-vuh-nyoo-tree-uhnt

Origin: Latin

Definition: Desiring or seeking powerful change in one’s life, behavior, or a certain situation

#113 Eleutheromania (n.)

Pronunciation: el-U-“ther-O-‘mAn-E-a

Origin: Greek

Definition: An intense and irresistible desire for freedom

#114 Eunoia (n.)

Pronunciation: yoo-noy-iea

Origin: Greek

Definition: Beautiful thinking; A well mind

Out of the beautiful words in English, Did you know Eunoia is the shortest English word containing all five main vowel graphemes?

#115 Sturmfrei (adj.)

Pronuciation: stirm-fra

Origin: Germany

Definition: Literally translates to “storm-free”; the freedom of being alone and being able to do what your heart desires

#116 Nemophilist (n.)

Pronunciation: ne-‘mo-fe-list

Origin: Greek

Definition: One who loves the beauty and solitude of forest; a haunter of the woods

Do you identify yourself as a Nemophilist? You must then plan a trip to one of the best national parks in the world.

#117 Halcyon (adj.)

Pronunciation: hal-see-uhn

Origin: Greek

Definition: A period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful

#118 Thalassophile (n.)

Pronunciation: thal-uh-suh-fīl

Origin: Greek

Definition: A lover of the sea or ocean

You aren’t a thalassophile if you haven’t visited Greece, Croatia, and Sri Lanka 🙂

#119 Fika (n.)Pronunciation: fee-ka

Origin: Swedish

Definition: Almost like a ritual in Swedish culture, it’s sharing a cup coffee (or tea) and cake with friends or colleagues

#120 Ogooglebar (adj.)

Pronunciation:

Origin: Swedish

Definition: Ungoogleable, someone or something that doesn’t show up in Google search results

#121 Gluggaveður (n.)

Pronunciation: glook-ah-vay-ther

Origin: Icelandic

Definition: Literally translates to “window-weather,” the type of weather that is best appreciated indoors

#122 Arbejdsglæde (n.)

Pronunciation: ah-bites-gleh-the

Origin: Danish

Definition: Literally translates to “happiness at work,” when your work is a source of joy and happiness

#123 Vorfreude (n.)

Pronunciation: vor-freude

Origin: German

Definition: The joyful, intense anticipation that comes from imagining future pleasures

#124 Brumous (adj.)

Pronunciation: bru·mous

Origin: Literary English

Definition: Of gray skies and winter days, filled with heavy clouds or fog

Craving cozy feel of a brumous day (no pun intended)? Head to one of the best winter destinations in the USA. Europe on mind? No problem. We even have a list of the best winter destinations in Europe for you.

#125 Hodophile (adj.)

Pronunciation: how-doh-phile

Origin: Greek

Definition: The one who loves to travel; A traveler with a special affinity for roads

You Might Like: The Ultimate List of Road Quotes for Road Trippers

#126 Ubuntu (n.)

Pronunciation: oo-buhn-too

Origin: Nguni, South African

Definition: Literally translates to “humanity”; It’s the belief that we all are defined by our compassion and humanity towards others

#127 Nunchi (n.)

Pronunciation: noon-chee

Origin: Korean

Definition: Literally translates to “eye-measure”; It’s a subtle art and ability to listen and gauge others’ moods and react appropriately

#128 Arcane (adj.)

Pronunciation: aa-kein

Origin: Latin

Definition: Secret, Mysterious, Understood by few

#129 Kaulayaw (n.)

Pronunciation: kauli-haw

Origin: Filipino or Tagalog

Definition: Intimate or close companion or friend

#130 Kos (n.)

Pronunciation: coosh

Origin: Norwegian

Definition: Danish hygge; coziness; all things warm and cozy; it can simply mean enjoying a cup of coffee with a freshly baked cinnamon bun or having a good time with family and friends or reading a good book or snuggling in a blanket while it’s snowing outside or anything that makes you feel purely happy.

Goes without saying, Norway is the best place to discover and experience the Norwegian Hygge.

#131 Ebullience (n.)

Pronunciation: uh·buh·lee·uhns

Origin: Latin

Definition: The quality of being bubbly, enthusiastic, and exuberant

#132 Goya (n.)

Pronunciation: go-yaa

Origin: Urdu (گویا)

Definition: As if; A momentary suspension of disbelief that occurs when fantasy is so realistic that it temporarily becomes reality, usually associated with a story very well told; a story that feels like reality

#133 Camhanaich (n.)

Pronunciation: kav’-an-ach

Origin: Scots-Gaelic

Definition: Early morning twilight; the half-light of dawn or dusk

Read More: The Best Sunrise Quotes and Sunrise Captions for Instagram

#134 Kawaakari (n.)

Pronunciation: ka-wa-a-ka-rE

Origin: Japanese

Definition: The glow of a river or stream in darkness or dusk, the gleaming surface of a shadowed river

#135 Mysa (n.)

Pronunciation: MEE-sah

Origin: Swedish, Icelandic

Definition: The feeling of comfort and protection; a time dedicated to coziness

#136 Ineffable (adj.)
Pronunciation: uh-NEH-fuh-bl
Origin: Late Middle English
Definition: Incapable of being expressed in words

#137 Nefarious (adj.)
Pronunciation: nuh-FEUH-ree-uhs
Origin: Latin
Definition: Wicked, Despicable, Villainous, Evil, Sinful

#138 Somnambulist (n.)
Pronunciation: som-nam-byuh-list

Origin: French
Definition: A sleepwalker, a person who walks around while they are asleep

#139 Akrasia (n.)
Pronunciation: uh-KRAY-zhuh
Origin: Greek
Definition: Lack of self-control or the state of acting against one’s better judgment

#140 Zephyr (n.)
Pronunciation: ZEH-fuh
Origin: Old English
Definition: A breeze from the west; a gentle breeze

#141 Hanan (n.)

Pronunciation: hana-n

Origin: Arabic

Definition: Compassion and Kindness

#142 Szerelem (n.)

Pronunciation: sze -re -lem

Origin: Hungarian

Definition: Romantic love

#143 Revontulet (n.)

Pronunciation:  Re-von-tu-let

Origin: Finnish

Definition: Literally translates to Fox Fires; Aurora Borealis; Northern Lights

#144 Yötön yö (n.)

Pronunciation: Yoton-yo

Origin: Finnish

Definition: Nightless night; Midnight Sun

The summer in Finland is magical. The sun doesn’t go down at all in the northern region of Finland. It’s when you can see the magical Yötön yö.

#145 Elvágyódás (n.)

Pronunciation: El-vagyo-dash

Origin: Hungarian

Definition: The desire to get away from where you currently are; Aching for what is far away

#146 Sonrisa (n.)

Pronunciation: Sohn-ree-sah

Origin: Spanish

Definition: Smile

#147 Weltschmerz (n.)

Pronuciation: velt-shmerts

Origin: German

Definition: Literally translates to translates to “world weariness” or “world pain”; It’s a melancholic feeling that comes from the realization that the material world can’t ever comfort the emotional and mental desires

#148 Sadiq (n.)

Pronunciation: Saa-duhk

Origin: Arabic

Definition: Friend; Companion; True; Faithful; Veracious; Sincere; Honest; Loyal

#149 Forelsket (adj.)

Pronunciation: for-el-skit

Origin: Danish

Definition: Being madly in love – an ineffable euphoria experienced when one’s enamored with someone

#150 Ruhaniyat (n.)

Pronunciation: Ruu-haa-niyat

Origin: Arabic

Definition: Soulfulness; Spiritualism

#151 Sarang (n.)

Pronunciation: sa-rang

Origin: Korean

Definition: Love

I’m sure with so many new words added to your vocabulary, it’d be a cinch to describe your emotions, your life, or just you. Over to you now. Which one of these words do you identify with the most? Would you like to add your favorite word to the list? Share with us in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading. I sincerely hope you enjoyed this post. If yes, would you please share it with the world.

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While languages like Portuguese and French are known for their romantic words and aesthetically pleasing phrases, there’s a lot to say about the beauty of the English language. After all, English has brought us stunning, showstopper words such as incandescent and euphoria, mellifluous and demure. So if you’re feeling inclined to increase your vocabulary while making it as easy on the ears as possible, then you’re in for a serendipitous treat. For 60 of the most beautiful words in the English language, which are guaranteed to make you absolutely ebullient, read on. And for more words to share with your friends, check out The 30 Funniest Words in the English Language—And How to Use Them.

1. Labyrinth

Do you ever find yourself working on a tedious task with many twists and turns? If you’re stuck doing something that’s extremely complex, you can call it a labyrinth. Additionally, any maze or place with «intricate passageways» can be described by this word.

2. Ineffable

Sometimes, almost every word fails. When that happens, you can turn to the word «ineffable,» which means «unspeakable» or «indescribable.» For example, if your feelings about someone are almost impossible to accurately pin down, you can say they’re ineffable.

3. Incendiary

Meaning extremely hot or inflammatory, anything that causes a fire is incendiary. However, when used in contexts that aren’t related to fire, this word can also describe someone who likes to start quarrels.

4. Ephemeral

Things that don’t last forever are ephemeral. From conversations to arguments, some things just tend to be short-lived, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

5. Cynosure

Back in the 17th century, the word cynosure was used to describe the northern constellation, Ursa Minor. And while this is still the case now, Merriam-Webster additionally notes that anyone who is the «center of attention» or «serves to guide» is cynosure.

6. Propinquity

Similar to the term proximity, the word «propinquity» is another way to talk about someone who lives near you. Aside from your next-door neighbors and roommates, it can also refer to «nearness of relation,» in terms of kinship.

7. Infatuation

Do you have a really strong desire to be near or know more about someone, you may have an infatuation. You can also use the term to describe your non-human obsession of the moment, whether it’s a TV show or your new puppy.

8. Incandescent

While the word «incandescent» is one way to talk about the electric lamps in your living room, it can also be used in reference to the brightness or someone’s intellect or personality.

9. Eudaemonia

Originated from the Greek word «eudaimon,» the word «eudaemonia» means the state of being lucky or happy. If you’re in a state of general well-being or feeling great joy, this is one way to express it.

10. Raconteur

Are you good at telling a story? Then you can start telling your friends that you’re a raconteur. Even if you’re not the best storyteller, it’s still a fun word to say.

11. Petrichor

The Greek words for «stone» and the «ethereal blood of the gods» combine to give us a perfectly beautiful term for the way the earth smells after it rains. Scientists have spent decades trying to determine exactly why that smell is so pleasing; in fact, two are credited for coining «petrichor» in a 1964 Nature article.

12. Sumptuous

Meaning «extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent,» the word «sumptuous» can be used to describe anything from a five-star vacation to your favorite fluffy blanket.

13. Angst

If you’ve woken up with a prevailing sense of anxiety about how the day will go, you could say you’re experiencing some angst. It’s not a pleasant feeling, but the word for it, which dates back to the eighth century, does have a certain soothing sound.

14. Aesthete

An aesthete, according to Merriam-Webster, is «one having or affecting sensitivity to the beautiful especially in art.» You might be one if you’re frequently moved by sculptures and paintings…or if you pretend to be for the sake of other people. Either way, the word is a joy to say.

15. Nadir

An astronomical term that’s been co-opted for colloquial usage, nadir means the lowest point, as in the «nadir of her popularity.» Its opposite term, zenith, has a similar appeal.

16. Miraculous

That which seemed impossible or at least incredibly unlikely without the influence of some supernatural force can be described as «miraculous.» Maybe that’s the birth of a child or being able to carry on a morning conversation before a cup of coffee.

17. Lassitude

Suffering from a lack of energy? Describe your tiredness—whether it’s in your body, your mind, or both—with this term, and at least it will sound prettier.

18. Gossamer

One of several definitions of this word, per Dictionary.com, is «a fine, filmy cobweb seen on grass or bushes or floating in the air in calm weather, especially in autumn.» It’s thought to have come from the Middle English term gosesummer, «possibly first used as name for late, mild autumn, a time when goose was a favorite dish.» But it can also be used to refer to anything thin and airy, from a summer shawl to the wings of a butterfly.

19. Bungalow

Bungalow is a cozy word for a specific type of house: usually one that’s either a single story or two stories with a sloping roof. Though there may be additional criteria depending on where in the world you’re using the term.

20. Scintilla

Not to be confused with those furry crepuscular rodents, scintilla means a spark or a trace of something. Perhaps you feel a scintilla of guilt after eating the last cookie, or experience a scintilla of attraction to someone you just met.

21. Aurora

Originally the name of the Roman goddess of sunrise, the word aurora is now used to describe the dawn, as well as the stunning luminous phenomenon that takes place in the upper atmosphere of a planet’s magnetic polar regions. For example, you may have a trip to see the Aurora Borealis as an item on your bucket list.

22. Inure

Not all beautiful words have beautiful meanings. The word inure means to accept or grow accustomed to something undesirable. For example, your family’s constant criticism could inure you to toxic behavior from loved ones.

23. Mellifluous

This lyrical word refers to something that is sweet and enjoyable, especially when it comes to sound. You might find the early spring sounds of chirping birds to be quite mellifluous.

24. Euphoria

Derived from the Greek word for healthy, the word euphoria is now used to describe an intense feeling of happiness or elation. A sense of euphoria may be the result of a fortunate turn of events or an indescribable personal high.

25. Serendipity

You’ve probably experienced this phenomenon more than you realize—remember that time you went on a coffee run and stumbled upon the best chocolate cake your city has to offer? Or when you were cleaning your home and found those earrings you thought were gone years ago? Those happy coincidences are all cases of serendipity.

26. Cherish

The word cherish means to hold dear or cultivate with care and affection. Whether that’s your family, your home, or your most prized possession (or all three!), everyone has someone or something that they cherish.

27. Demure

One of our favorite beautiful words, demure is used to describe any modest and reserved behavior. Etymologists believe it may have been derived from the Anglo-French verb demorer or demourer, which means «to linger.»

28. Elixir

If you’re well-versed in the world of Harry Potter, you probably associate this word with the elixir of life derived from the Sorcerer’s Stone. In the 17th century, alchemists believed it was possible to create an elixir that would turn base metals to stone and allow people to live forever. Today, the word is used to identify a substance that’s capable of changing base metals into gold. You might also use it to describe that cocktail you just whipped up at your home bar.

29. Eternity

Forever; always; a limitless time. These are just some ways to describe the endless and sometimes frightening idea of eternity.

30. Felicity

This one’s just another word for a state of happiness. For example, you might find yourself in a state of felicity the next time you’re surrounded by people you love.

31. Languor

Another beautiful word with a not-so-beautiful definition, languor refers to lethargy or weakness in body and mind. You might experience this phenomenon when you’ve been working too many hours and are starting to hit burnout. All that means is it’s time to use that PTO!

32. Love

There’s way more than one definition for this feeling, action, phenomenon (etc, etc). But we can all agree that the word love is as beautiful as everything it describes.

33. Solitude

If you’re an extrovert, then solitude may not be ideal. But if you’re an introvert, you’ll probably enjoy and seek out solitude, or the act of being alone and away from society.

34. Epiphany

While there are several meanings of this word, most people associate an epiphany with a life-changing realization. You’ll find examples of these in your favorite books and movies, such as the classic scene in Clueless when Cher realizes she’s «majorly, totally, butt-crazy in love» with her stepbrother Josh.

35. Quintessential

Have you ever met someone who embodies all of the characteristics of the city they’re from or the career path they’ve chosen? Then you might have come across someone who is perfectly typical, otherwise known as quintessential. Snacking on strawberries and cream while sipping a Pimm’s Cup at Wimbledon? That’s so quintessentially British!

36. Plethora

This word has two definitions—one beautiful and one not so beautiful. While plethora is most commonly associated with having an abundance of something (close your eyes and picture a plethora of disposable income!), it’s also a medical word that’s used to describe increased blood in a specific area.

37. Nemesis

As beautifully as this word rolls off of the tongue, it is associated with a rival or arch-enemy and can be used to describe inflicting an act of vengeance. That friend-of-a-friend who grinds your gears every time he comes to Friday night drinks? He might be your nemesis.

38. Lithe

One syllable and full of grace, the word lithe is used to characterize flexibility and a slim figure. For example, you may have noticed the lithe ballerinas when you attended a performance of The Nutcracker at Christmastime.

39. Tranquility

Hopefully, you’ll achieve a state of tranquility on your next beach vacation. This is just another word for being free from agitation of mind or spirit.

40. Elegance

Another word that sounds exactly the way it’s defined, elegance is a quality of style and grace.

41. Renaissance

Whether you’re referring to your own personal revival in life or the transitional period between the 14th and 17th centuries, the word renaissance will roll off the tongue and fulfill all of your aesthetically pleasing linguistic needs.

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42. Eloquence

A quality found in the most skillful politicians, this word refers to persuasive expressiveness. Look out for eloquence in the 2020 presidential debates—which candidate’s eloquence will win your vote?

43. Sequoia

These larger than life trees can be found throughout California, particularly in their namesake national park in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Having a hard time differentiating between a sequoia and a redwood (or the Sequoia National Park and the Redwood National and State Parks)? Here’s an easy way to differentiate: if you’re on the coast, then you’re probably looking up at a redwood; if you’re inland, then you’ve definitely found yourself in the presence of a sequoia.

44. Peace

Ever versatile, the word peace can refer to a state of mind, freedom from civil disturbances, or a time without war.

45. Lullaby

There isn’t a better word to describe a soothing melody to get your child to sleep. But this word isn’t reserved for babies—it can also be used as a verb meaning to quiet with or as with a lullaby.

46. Paradox

The beginning of the end. Youth is wasted on the young. These are both examples of paradox, or a statement that seemingly contradicts itself.

47. Pristine

This beautiful word seems to sparkle—and that’s fitting, since pristine means «fresh and clean or as if new.»

48. Effervescent

Here’s a clever new way to describe the bubbly can-do person around your office. Instead of merely calling them fun to be around, you could take things up a notch and say they have an effervescent personality. That simply means they have an appealingly lively quality.

49. Opulence

Do you dream of owning a mansion in Beverly Hills with a Maserati in the driveway and regular shopping trips on Rodeo Drive? Then you might be pining for a life of opulence. Keep on grinding!

50. Ethereal

This light and airy word might remind you of celestial bodies. Ethereal can refer to the upper regions of space as well as anything that is heavenly and unworldly seeming.

51. Sanguine

A complicated and beautiful word, sanguine comes with several meanings. It’s typically used as a synonym for optimism, but it can also describe a blood-red hue or something relating to blood.

52. Panacea

Panacea means all-healing in Greek and, fittingly, Panacea was the Greek goddess of healing. Today, the word is used to refer to something that could fix everything. Imagine a remedy for all of the problems you face on a daily basis—that would be a panacea.

53. Bodacious

While this word is often used to describe a body’s curves, bodacious can also be used to describe something that is remarkable or admirable. For example, a person might have a bodacious energy or a home might have bodacious decor.

54. Axiom

An axiom is a statement that is widely accepted as true. For example, from the Declaration of Independence—»we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.» These «truths» could also be described as axioms.

55. Silhouette

Depending on the situation, seeing a silhouette—or the outline of a figure—may be beautiful or spooky. For example, seeing the silhouette of a young couple on a park bench is lovely, but if you see a shadowy silhouette in a house you thought was empty, then you might want to run away.

56. Surreptitious

This word means to act clandestinely or to do or acquire something by stealth. For example, that person at your job who always seems to be working on a secret project might be considered surreptitious.

57. Ingenue

You’ll find examples of this word in classic literature, film, and television. Naive and innocent female characters such as Sandy at the start of Grease and Ophelia from Hamlet are examples of ingenues.

58. Dulcet

This dainty word is another one that seems to describe exactly what it sounds like—which is anything that is generally pleasing. For example, you may have recently listened to particularly dulcet music or indulged in a dulcet chocolate cake.

59. Tryst

This crisp word is usually used to describe a somewhat discreet meeting between two lovers. While technically defined as any sort of meeting or appointment (not necessarily with romantic motivations), you probably don’t want to refer to the next meeting at your office as a «tryst».

60. Ebullience

A beautiful word that’s probably best used to describe a litter of golden retriever puppies, ebullience is the quality of excitement and enthusiasm.

And for how English is used in different regions of the U.S., here are 60 Words People Pronounce Differently Across America.

What makes a word beautiful?

Is it the sound of the word or its meaning?

The study of the pleasantness or unpleasantness of the way words and phrases sound (regardless of their meaning) is called phonaesthetics.

But I think the combination of sound and meaning is what makes for pretty words.

Consider the word “diarrhea” which trills off the tongue but isn’t a pleasant topic to ponder.

But the word “diary” is equally pleasing to the ear and has an intriguing meaning.

What Are the Most Beautiful Words?

The most beautiful words in English are those that thrill the ear and that stir the mind or soul.

They are words that inspire, uplift, excite, comfort, challenge, move and entice us. But they can also have a neutral or even unpleasant meaning (hemorrhage, flatulence, etc.).

British linguist, David Crystal, created a series of attributes of words that are commonly considered beautiful. Those attributes include:

• Having three or more syllables.
• Emphasis on the first syllable.
• The presence of particular letters people enjoy saying (like I and M).

Ultimately, the most beautiful words are the words that you find beautiful.

What is the Prettiest Word in the World?

There are more than 7000 languages in the world, with hundreds of thousands of words in most of them. So it’s difficult (if not impossible) to narrow the list to one word alone.

You might start by exploring the most beautiful languages in the world which are often considered Italian, French, Arabic, and Turkish.

But still, what each person finds beautiful is subjective.

Maybe we should just be happy there are so many lovely words in all languages.

How to Use Beautiful Words in English

Whether you are a logophile (a word lover) and simply enjoy the variety and character of words, or you’re a writer who is looking for the perfect word, you’ll find yourself needing to find aesthetic words at some point.

Maybe you wonder, “What are elegant words I can use to reflect my intelligence or sophisticated style.” The words you use do communicate to others who you are and how you see yourself.

You can use these words to . . .

Are you ready to explore some really good words that you can add to your vocabulary?

Our list of beautiful words below is a great resource to bookmark and keep handy whenever you need just the right word that sounds lovely.

Don’t have time to read the complete list of beautiful words? You can download the PDF here.

1. Abundance

A very large quantity of something.

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Again and again in the same way; forever

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3. Admirable

Arousing or deserving respect and approval.

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4. Adoration

Deep love and respect.

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5. Affable

Friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.

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6. Agility

Ability to move or think quickly and easily.

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7. Ailurophile

A cat lover.

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8. Alacrity

Brisk and cheerful readiness.

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9. Alluring

Powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating; seductive.

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10. Aloha

A Hawaiian word used when greeting or parting from someone.

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11. Altruism

The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

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12. Amaranthine

From the Greek word amarantos, meaning immortal or unfading.

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13. Amiable

Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.

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14. Amorous

Showing, feeling, or relating to sexual desire.

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15. Angelic

An exceptionally beautiful, innocent, or kind person.

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16. Apotheosis

The highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax.

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17. Assemblage

A collection or gathering of things or people.

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18. Astonishing

Extremely surprising or impressive; amazing.

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19. Astounding

Surprisingly impressive or notable.

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20. Ascension

The act of rising to an important position or a higher level.

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21. Astral

Of, connected with or resembling the stars.

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22. Audacious

Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

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23. Aurora

A natural electrical phenomenon characterized by the appearance of streamers of reddish or greenish light in the sky, usually near the northern or southern magnetic pole.

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24. Awe

A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.

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25. Beatify

To make holy or sacred.

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26. Beauteous

Beautiful.

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27. Becoming

Flattering a person’s appearance.

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28. Beguile

To charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way.

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29. Belonging

An affinity for a place or situation.

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30. Beloved

Dearly loved.

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31. Benefactor

A person who gives money or other help to a person or cause.

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32. Benevolence

The quality of being well-meaning; kindness.

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33. Blazing

To burn fiercely or brightly.

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34. Blessing

A beneficial thing for which one is grateful; something that brings well-being.

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35. Bliss

Perfect happiness; great joy.

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36. Blossom

The state or period of flowering.

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37. Breathtaking

Astonishing or awe-inspiring in quality, so as to take one’s breath away.

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38. Breeziness

Fresh and animated;lively.

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39. Brilliance

An intense brightness of light.

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40. Brisk

Active, fast, and energetic.

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41. Bubbling

Characterized by cheerful high spirits.

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42. Bucolic

Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.

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43. Bungalow

A low house, with a broad front porch, having either no upper floor or upper rooms set in the roof, typically with dormer windows.

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44. Buoyancy

The ability or tendency to float in water or air or some other fluid.

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45. Calcination

To heat (a substance) to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point, causing loss of moisture, reduction or oxidation, and the decomposition of carbonates and other compounds.

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46. Calm

Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.

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47. Candor

The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.

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48. Caprice

A sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.

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49. Carpe Diem

Latin, ‘seize the day!’, a quotation from Horace.

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50. Cascade

A small waterfall, typically one of several that fall in stages down a steep rocky slope.

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51. Cashmere

Fine, soft wool, originally that from the Kashmir goat.

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52. Catharsis

The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.

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53. Celerity

The swiftness of movement.

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54. Centered

Well balanced and confident or serene.

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55. Champion

A person who fights or argues for a cause or on behalf of someone else.

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56. Charisma

Compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.

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57. Charm

The power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration.

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58. Chatoyant

Of a gem, especially when cut en cabochon, showing a band of bright reflected light caused by aligned inclusions in the stone.

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59. Cheerful

Noticeably happy and optimistic.

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60. Chrysalis

A transitional state.

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61. Cinnamon

An aromatic spice made from the peeled, dried and rolled bark of a Southeast Asian tree.

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62. Clarity

The quality of being coherent and intelligible.

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63. Classy

Stylish and sophisticated.

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64. Clearheaded

Alert and thinking logically and coherently.

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65. Clinomania

An obsession with bed rest.

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66. Coalesce

Come together to form one mass or whole.

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67. Comely

Typically a woman who is pleasant to look at; attractive.

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68. Compassion

Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

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69. Conflate

Combine (two or more texts, ideas, etc.) into one.

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70. Consciousness

The state of being awake and aware of one’s surroundings.

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71. Contentment

A state of happiness and satisfaction.

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72. Coruscate

Flash or sparkle of light.

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73. Creativity

The use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.

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74. Crepuscular

Of, resembling, or relating to twilight.

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75. Crystalline

Having the structure and form of a crystal; composed of crystals.

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76. Cuddle

Hold close in one’s arms as a way of showing love or affection.

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77. Cynosure

A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration.

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78. Dalliance

A casual romantic or sexual relationship.

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79. Dandy

A man unduly devoted to style, neatness, and fashion in dress and appearance.

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80. Dapper

Typically a man who is neat and trim in dress, appearance, or bearing.

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81. Dauntless

Showing fearlessness and determination.

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82. Dazzling

Extremely bright, especially so as to blind the eyes temporarily.

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83. Debonair

A man who is confident, stylish, and charming.

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84. Delicate

Very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality.

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85. Delicious

Highly pleasant to the taste.

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86. Delightful

Causing delight; charming.

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87. Demesne

Land attached to a manor and retained for the owner’s own use.

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88. Demure

A woman who is reserved, modest, and shy.

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89. Denouement

The final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.

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90. Desirable

Wanted or wished for as being an attractive, useful, or necessary course of action.

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91. Desuetude

A state of disuse.

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92. Desultory

Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.

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93. Devotion

Love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.

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94. Diaphanous

Light, delicate, and translucent, especially a fabric.

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95. Discombobulate

To disconcert or confuse someone.

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96. Dissemble

To conceal one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

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97. Divinity

The state or quality of being divine.

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98. Doting

Extremely and uncritically fond of someone; adoring.

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99. Dreamy

Having a magical or pleasantly unreal quality; dreamlike.

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100. Dulcet

A sweet and soothing sound.

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101. Earnest

Resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction

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102. Ebullience

The quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance.

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103. Ecstasy

An overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.

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104. Effervescent

A liquid giving off bubbles; fizzy.

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105. Efflorescence

A state or time of flowering.

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106. Effortless

Requiring no physical or mental exertion.

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107. Elation

Great happiness and exhilaration.

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108. Elegant

Pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.

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109. Elision

The omission of a sound or syllable when speaking

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110. Elixir

A magical or medicinal potion.

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111. Eloquence

Fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.

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112. Embrocation

A liquid used for rubbing on the body to relieve pain from sprains and strains.

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113. Emollient

Having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.

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114. Emulate

Match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation.

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115. Enamoured

To be filled with a feeling of love for someone or something.

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116. Enchanted

Placed under a spell; bewitched.

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117. Enraptured

Experiencing intense pleasure or joy.

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118. Enthralled

Experiencing fascinated attention.

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119. Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time.

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120. Epiphany

A moment of sudden revelation or insight.

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121. Equanimity

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

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122. Equilibrium

A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.

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123. Erstwhile

Former.

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124. Ethereal

Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.

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125. Etiquette

The customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.

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126. Euphoria

A feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.

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127. Evanescent

Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing.

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128. Evocative

Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.

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129. Exonerate

To absolve someone from blame for a fault or wrongdoing, especially after due consideration of the case.

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130. Exquisite

Extremely beautiful and, typically, delicate.

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131. Exuberant

Filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.

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132. Fabulous

Amazingly good; wonderful.

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133. Faithful

Loyal, constant, and steadfast.

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134. Fascination

The power to fascinate someone; the quality of being fascinating.

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135. Feasible

Possible to do easily or conveniently.

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136. Feisty

A person who is relatively small or weak but also lively, determined, and courageous.

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137. Felicity

Intense happiness.

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138. Festive

Cheerful and jovially celebratory.

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139. Fetching

Attractive.

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140. Fidelity

Faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support.

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141. Filament

A slender threadlike object or fiber, especially one found in animal or plant structures.

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142. Flawless

Without any blemishes or imperfections; perfect.

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143. Flourish

To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.

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144. Flowing

Hanging or draping loosely and gracefully.

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145. Forbearance

Patient self-control; restraint and tolerance.

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146. Fortitude

Courage in pain or adversity.

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147. Friendship

The emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends.

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148. Fugacious

Tending to disappear; fleeting.

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149. Fulfilling

Making someone satisfied or happy because of fully developing their character or abilities.

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150. Furtive

Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.

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151. Gambol

Run or jump about playfully.

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152. Gargantuan

Enormous.

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153. Giddy

Having a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall or stagger; dizzy.

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154. Ginger

A hot, fragrant spice made from the rhizome of a plant, which may be chopped or powdered for cooking, preserved in syrup, or candied.

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155. Glamour

An attractive or exciting quality that makes certain people or things seem appealing.

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156. Glorious

Having a striking beauty or splendor that evokes feelings of delighted admiration.

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157. Goddess

A woman who is adored, especially for her beauty.

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158. Gorgeous

Beautiful; very attractive.

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159. Gossamer

Used to refer to something very light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate.

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160. Graceful

Having or showing grace or elegance.

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161. Halcyon

Denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.

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162. Handsome

A good-looking man.

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163. Harbinger

A forerunner of something.

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164. Harmony

The quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole.

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165. Heartfelt

A feeling or its expression that is sincere; deeply and strongly felt.

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166. Heartwarming

Emotionally rewarding or uplifting.

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167. Heavenly

Very pleasing; wonderful.

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168. Hilarity

Extreme amusement, especially when expressed by laughter.

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169. Holiness

The state of being holy.

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170. Hopefulness

Having or manifesting hope.

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171. Humility

A modest or low view of one’s own importance; humbleness.

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172. Idyllic

A time or place that is extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque.

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173. Illumination

Lighting or light.

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174. Illustrious

Well known, respected, and admired for past achievements.

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175. Imbrication

An overlapping of edges (as of tiles or scales).

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176. Imbroglio

An extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation.

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177. Imbue

To inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality.

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178. Incandescence

The light emmited by an incandescent object.

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179. Incipient

In an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop.

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180. Ineffable

Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.

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181. Ingenue

An innocent or unsophisticated young woman, especially in a play or film.

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182. Inglenook

A space on either side of a large fireplace.

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183. Insouciance

Casual lack of concern; indifference.

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184. Intrepid

Fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).

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185. Inure

Accustom to something, especially something unpleasant.

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186. Invincible

Too powerful to be defeated or overcome.

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187. Iridescent

Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.

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188. Jaunty

Having or expressing a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner.

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189. Jocular

Fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful.

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190. Jovial

Cheerful and friendly.

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191. Joyous

Feeling,showing,or causing joy; joyful

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192. Jubilant

Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.

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193. Judicious

Having or showing good judgment or sense.

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194. Juvenescent

Becoming young or youthful.

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195. Kindred

One’s family and relations.

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196. Kindliness

The quality of being kind, warmhearted, or gentle; kindness.

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197. Kissable

Capable of being kissed; inviting to be kissed through attractiveness.

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198. Labyrinthine

A network like a labyrinth; irregular and twisting.

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199. Lagniappe

Something given as a bonus or extra gift.

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200. Lagoon

A stretch of salt water separated from the sea by a low sandbank or coral reef.

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201. Languid

Displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.

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202. Languor

The state or feeling, often pleasant, of tiredness or inertia.

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203. Lassitude

A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy.

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204. Leisure

Free time.

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205. Lilting

Speak, sing, or sound with a lilt.

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206. Lissome

A person or their body that is thin, supple, and graceful.

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207. Lithe

A person’s body that is thin, supple, and graceful.

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208. Lovable

Inspiring or deserving love or affection.

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209. Lullaby

A quiet, gentle song sung to send a child to sleep.

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210. Luminescence

The emission of light by a substance that has not been heated, as in fluorescence and phosphorescence.

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211. Luxury

Sumptuous or extremely comfortable living surroundings.

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212. Magnificent

Splendid in appearance;grand.

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213. Marvelous

Causing great wonder; extraordinary.

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214. Mellifluous

Sweet or musical; pleasant to hear.

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215. Mellow

Pleasantly smooth or soft; free from harshness.

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216. Mindfulness

A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

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217. Minutiae

Small or trivial details.

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218. Moiety

Each of two parts into which a thing is or can be divided.

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219. Mondegreen

A misunderstood or misinterpreted word or phrase resulting from a mishearing of the lyrics of a song.

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220. Murmurous

Filled with or characterized by murmurs; low and indistinct

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221. Nemesis

A long-standing rival; an archenemy.

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222. Namaste

A respectful greeting said when giving a namaskar.

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223. Nebulous

Unclear, vague, or ill-defined concept or idea.

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224. Nirvana

A transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism.

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225. Nourishment

The food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.

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226. Nurture

Care for and encourage the growth or development of.

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227. Oblivion

The state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening.

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228. Omnipotent

Having unlimited power; able to do anything.

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229. Onomatopoeia

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named

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230. Optimistic

Hopeful and confident about the future.

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231. Opulent

Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish.

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232. Pacify

Quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of.

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233. Palimpsest

A manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain.

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234. Panacea

A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.

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235. Panoply

A complete or impressive collection of things.

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236. Paradise

An ideal or idyllic place or state.

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237. Passion

Strong and barely controllable emotion.

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238. Pastiche

An artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.

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239. Persevering

Persistent; constant in the execution of a purpose.

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240. Perspicacious

Clear-sighted; mentally perceptive or acute; keen.

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241. Petrichor

A pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.

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242. Phenomenal

Very remarkable; extraordinary.

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243. Phosphenes

A ring or spot of light produced by pressure on the eyeball or direct stimulation of the visual system other than by light.

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244. Piquancy

A pleasantly sharp and appetizing flavor.

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245. Plethora

A large or excessive amount of something.

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246. Precious

An object, substance, or resource of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly.

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247. Prevarication

To deviate from the truth

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248. Propinquity

The state of being close to someone or something; proximity.

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249. Prosperity

The state of being prosperous.

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250. Pyrrhic

A victory won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor.

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251. Quaint

Attractively unusual or old-fashioned.

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252. Quantum

A discrete quantity of energy proportional in magnitude to the frequency of the radiation it represents.

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253. Quickening

To enter into a phase of active growth and development

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254. Quiescent

In a state or period of inactivity or dormancy.

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255. Quietude

A state of stillness, calmness, and quiet in a person or place.

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256. Quintessential

Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

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257. Radiant

Sending out light; shining or glowing brightly.

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258. Rapturous

Characterized by, feeling, or expressing great pleasure or enthusiasm.

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260. Ratatouille

A vegetable dish consisting of onions, zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, fried and stewed in oil and sometimes served cold.

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261. Ravel

Untangle or unravel something.

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262. Ravishing

Delightful; entrancing.

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263. Redolent

Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something.

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264. Rejuvenate

Make someone or something look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively.

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265. Relent

Abandon or mitigate a harsh intention or cruel treatment.

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266. Repose

A state of rest, sleep, or tranquility.

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267. Resilience

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

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268. Resplendent

Attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous.

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269. Revelation

A surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way.

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270. Reverence

Deep respect for someone or something.

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271. Rhapsodic

Immoderately empassioned or enthusiastic.

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272. Righteousness

The quality of being morally right or justifiable.

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273. Riparian

Relating to or situated on the banks of a river.

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274. Ripple

A small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, especially as caused by an object dropping into it or a slight breeze.

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275. Romance

A feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.

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276. Sacred

Connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration.

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277. Salve

Something that is soothing or consoling for wounded feelings or an uneasy conscience.

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278. Sapphire

A transparent precious stone, typically blue, that is a variety of corundum (aluminum oxide).

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279. Savor

Enjoy or appreciate something pleasant completely, especially by dwelling on it.

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280. Scintilla

A tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling.

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281. Sempiternal

Eternal and unchanging; everlasting.

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282. Sequoia

A redwood tree, especially the California redwood.

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283. Seraglio

A large harem.

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284. Serendipity

The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

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285. Serenity

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.

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286. Silky

Of or resembling silk, especially in being soft, fine, and lustrous.

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287. Simplicity

The quality or condition of being easy to understand or do.

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288. Solitude

The state or situation of being alone.

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289. Somnambulism

An abnormal condition of sleep in which motor acts (such as walking) are performed

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290. Sonorous

Capable of producing a deep or ringing sound.

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291. Soulmate

A person ideally suited to another as a close friend or romantic partner.

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292. Spacious

Having ample space.

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293. Spellbound

Hold the complete attention of someone as though by magic; fascinate.

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294. Spherical

Shaped like a sphere.

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295. Splendid

Magnificent; very impressive.

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296. Sprightliness

Marked by a gay lightness and vivacity.

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297. Statuesque

An attractively tall and dignified woman.

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298. Sublime

Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.

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299. Succulent

Tender, juicy, and tasty food.

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300. Summery

Characteristic of or suitable for summer.

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301. Sumptuous

Splendid and expensive-looking.

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302. Supine

Lying face upward.

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303. Surreptitious

Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.

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304. Susquehanna

A river 444 miles (714 kilometers) long in the eastern U.S. flowing from central New York south through Pennsylvania and into the Chesapeake Bay in northern Maryland

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305. Susurrous

Full of whispering sounds.

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306. Symphony

Something regarded, typically favorably, as a composition of different elements.

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307. Talisman

An object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck.

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308. Tenacity

The quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip.

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309. Tender

Showing gentleness and concern or sympathy.

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310. Tintinnabulation

A ringing or tinkling sound.

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311. Tolerance

The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular, the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

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312. Tranquility

The quality or state of being tranquil; calm.

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313. Transfiguration

A complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.

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314. Triumph

A great victory or achievement.

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315. Umbrella

A device consisting of a circular canopy of cloth on a folding metal frame supported by a central rod, used as protection against rain or sometimes sun.

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316. Unabashed

Not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.

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317. Unflappable

Having or showing calmness in a crisis.

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318. Unification

The process of being united or made into a whole.

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319. Unique

Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.

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320. Varnish

Resin dissolved in a liquid for applying on wood, metal, or other materials to form a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry.

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321. Veneration

Great respect; reverence.

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322. Verity

A true principle or belief, especially one of fundamental importance.

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323. Vestigial

Forming a very small remnant of something that was once much larger or more noticeable.

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More Related Articles:

37 Positive Emotions That Make You Healthier and Happier

30 Heart-Melting Soulmate Quotes To Inspire Love And Intimacy

109 Of The Best Appreciation Messages To Show Your Gratitude

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324. Vibrant

Full of energy and enthusiasm.

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325. Victorious

Having won a victory; triumphant.

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326. Virtuous

Having or showing high moral standards.

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327. Vitality

The state of being strong and active; energy.

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328. Vitriolic

Filled with bitter criticism or malice.

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329. Vortex

A mass of whirling fluid or air, especially a whirlpool or whirlwind

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330. Vulnerable

Susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.

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331. Waft

Pass or cause to pass easily or gently through or as if through the air.

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332. Wanderlust

A strong desire to travel.

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333. Warmhearted

A person or their actions that are sympathetic and kind.

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334. Wherewithal

The money or other means needed for a particular purpose.

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335. Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being.

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337. Wondrous

Inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight; marvelous.

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336. Worship

The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.

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338. Xanadu

An idealized place of great or idyllic magnificence and beauty.

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339. Xenophobia

Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.

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340. Xylophone

A musical instrument played by striking a row of wooden bars of graduated length with one or more small wooden or plastic mallets.

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341. Yearling

An animal (especially a sheep, calf, or foal) that is a year old or that is in its second year.

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342. Yearn

Have an intense feeling of longing for something, typically something that one has lost or been separated from.

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343. Yesteryear

Last year or the recent past, especially as nostalgically recalled.

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344. Zealous

Having or showing zeal.

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345. Zenith

The time at which something is most powerful or successful.

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346. Zephyr

A soft gentle breeze.

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347. Zestful

Characterized by great enthusiasm and energy.

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348. Zinfandel

A variety of wine grape grown in California.

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349. Zither

A musical instrument consisting of a flat wooden soundbox with numerous strings stretched across it placed horizontally and played with the fingers and a plectrum. It is used especially in central European folk music.

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350. Zoophilic

Having an attraction to or preference for animals.

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Beautiful Words with Dark Meanings

There are some words that sound lovely but have darker or more negative meanings. Take a look at these pretty words whose sound belies their meanings.

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351. Amorphous

Without a clearly defined shape or form.

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352. Atrament

A very dark substance — usually liquid.

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353. Caliginous

Misty, dark, obscure.

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354. Cimmerian

A member of a mythical people living in perpetual mist and darkness near the land of the dead.

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355. Crepuscule

Twilight. Obscure, doubtful, or uncertain.

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356. Darkling

Growing dark or characterized by darkness.

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357. Dystopian

Relating to an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice.

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358. Eigengrau

The dark grey color that human eyes see in perfect darkness.

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359. Gloaming

Twilight, dusk.

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360. Nebulochaotic

A state of being hazy and confused.

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361. Nefarious

Wicked or criminal.

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362. Nyctophilia

An attraction to darkness or night; finding relaxation or comfort in the darkness.

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363. Pernicious

Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

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364. Photophobic

Having an extreme sensitivity to light; growing best under reduced illumination.

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365. Somber

Gloomy, sullen, melancholy; solemn in mood.

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366. Stygian

Extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding.

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367. Tenebrous

Dark, shadowy, or obscure.

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368. Umbra

Shadow or darkness. A shaded area.

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369. Woebegone

Exhibiting great sorrow, or misery.

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Did you like these cool-sounding words?

Which of these beautiful words are your favorites?

How will you include them in your writing or conversation so you can make them a regular part of your vocabulary?

Learning good words that aren’t part of your current lexicon has a variety of benefits. Improving your vocabulary . . .

The most beautiful words in the English language don’t mean anything unless they are appreciated and used in communication, education, and writing.

Take advantage of this list of words, commit as many of them to memory as possible, and try to use a new word every day.

And . . . if you want to inspire others, please share this list of beautiful words on your favorite social media platform.

1. Petrichor

The Greek words for “stone” and the “ethereal blood of the gods” combine to give us a perfectly beautiful term for the way the earth smells after it rains. Scientists have spent decades trying to determine exactly why that smell is so pleasing; in fact, two are credited for coining “petrichor” in a 1964 Nature article.

 2. Sumptuous

Meaning “extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent,” the word “sumptuous” can be used to describe anything from a five-star vacation to your favorite fluffy blanket.

3. Angst

If you’ve woken up with a prevailing sense of anxiety about how the day will go, you could say you’re experiencing some angst. It’s not a pleasant feeling, but the word for it, which dates back to the eighth century, does have a certain soothing sound.

4. Aesthete

An aesthete, according to Merriam-Webster, is “one having or affecting sensitivity to the beautiful especially in art.” You might be one if you’re frequently moved by sculptures and paintings…or if you pretend to be for the sake of other people. Either way, the word is a joy to say.

5. Nadir

An astronomical term that’s been coopted for colloquial usage, nadir means the lowest point, as in the “nadir of her popularity.” Its opposite term, zenith, has a similar appeal.

6. Miraculous

That which seemed impossible or at least incredibly unlikely without the influence of some supernatural force can be described as “miraculous.” Maybe that’s the birth of a child or being able to carry on a morning conversation before a cup of coffee.

7. Lassitude

Suffering from a lack of energy? Describe your tiredness—whether it’s in your body, your mind, or both—with this term, and at least it will sound prettier.

8. Gossamer

One of several definitions of this word, per Dictionary.com, is “a fine, filmy cobweb seen on grass or bushes or floating in the air in calm weather, especially in autumn.” It’s thought to have come from the Middle English term gosesummer, “possibly first used as name for late, mild autumn, a time when goose was a favorite dish.” But it can also be used to refer to anything thin and airy, from a summer shawl to the wings of a butterfly.

9. Bungalow

Bungalow is a cozy word for a specific type of house: usually one that’s either a single story or two stories with a sloping roof. Though there may be additional criteria depending on where in the world you’re using the term.

10. Scintilla

Not to be confused with those furry crepuscular rodents, scintilla means a spark or a trace of something. Perhaps you feel a scintilla of guilt after eating the last cookie, or experience a scintilla of attraction to someone you just met.

Beautiful Words For Mother

Mothers give up so much, so that their children can have so much. Catherine Pulsifer

Giving

Despite the fact that we ought to show adoration to you mother each and every day, Mother’s Day is that one day when we demonstrate the most love for you, and make you feel like a Queen. Sheila Sage, Quotes to Inspire Motherhood

Inspirational Quotes

Mother… a mother holds her child’s hand for just a short time, but holds their hearts forever.

A mother is a woman who shows you the light when you just see the dark. Grimaldos Robin

Hope

Never undermine yourself because you are ‘just’ a house mom. Tracey Taylor, Stay At Home Mom

Believe In Yourself

Roses are red

violets are blue

There is no one dearer

than a Mom like you!

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.

Chinese Proverbs

Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind. Kahlil Gibran

Beauty

My mother was the dearest, sweetest angel. She didn’t talk; she sang. She was a tower of strength. Jayne Meadows

Strong Women Quotes

Mothers never retire, no matter how old her children are she is always a Mom, always willing to encourage and help her children in any way she can! Catherine Pulsifer

Retirement

So I just want to stress to you the importance of mothers, because class, you’re going to have your October 22nd – and you just always remember that your mother is there who loves you, who will protect you, always stand with you. Kevin Vickers, Canadain Former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms

Graduation

One good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters. George Herbert

Teacher Quotes

This mothering role will teach you more about yourself than you ever expected. Tricia Goyer, Teen Mom: You’re Stronger Than You Think

Knowledge

I look back on my childhood and thank the stars above. For everything you gave me, but mostly for your love. Wayne F. Winters

Love

She (mother) pushed us to always try harder, to want the best out of our lives, and to always be strong – a lesson she was forced to learn herself when we were all still young. Willie Davis, Closing the Gap

Beautiful Words In Urdu

Khafaa

English equivalent: Unhappy

Justajoo

English equivalent: Quest

Khwabeeda

English equivalent: Dreamy

Falaq

English equivalent: Sky

Baad-e saba

English equivalent: Wind of morning

Mukhtalif

English equivalent: Different

Aaftab

English equivalent: Sunlight

Khana’badosh

English equivalent: Vagabond

Nayab

English equivalent: Rare

Uns

English equivalent: Love

Noor

English equivalent: Radiance

Raqs

English equivalent: Dance

Musalsal

English equivalent: Constant

Dastoor

English equivalent: Tradition or custom

Nazakat

English equivalent: Elegance

Shiddat

English equivalent: Intensity

Sukoon

English equivalent: Peace

Mukhtasar

English equivalent: Incisive

Aafreen

English equivalent: Beautiful

Inayaat

English equivalent: Concern

Yes surely, Urdu can create absolute mystery with it’s mesmerizing and magical existence.

“Jala hai jism jahan dil bhey jal gaya hoga,

Kuraydtay ho jo ab raakkh, justjoo kya hai?“

                                        ~ Mirza Ghalib

Beautiful Words In French

1. Coquillage

The next time you visit the South of France, take a walk along one of the beautiful beaches and you may come across a coquillage (seashell).

Keep the memories of your holiday by collecting the seashells, and then bring them home as un petit souvenir (a little souvenir).

Ils ont trouvé des coquillages sure la plage. (They found seashells on the beach.)

Not visiting France anytime soon? For beautiful settings that set the scene for French language lessons, try the videos on FluentU. FluentU takes real-world French videos—like movie trailers, music videos and more—and turns them into personalized language lessons.

Here’s one example where you’ll hear the word coquillage used in a French news report. Every FluentU video comes with clickable subtitles, flashcards and fun quizzes so you learn new words like this one while you watch.

To watch that video and the full video library with all the learning features, check out a free FluentU trial.

2. Bisous

Who will you be sending your next bisou (kiss) or bisous (kisses) to?

Whether you know or have absolutely no idea, this might certainly help your case! When you start speaking in mysterious French, you’ll soon be fighting off the incoming propositions. Mais qui aura le prochain bisou? (But who will get the next kiss?)

A little tip for your next visit to France, the French greet each other with one bisou on each cheek in many regions. So put your hand away and extend your cheeks!

Je t’envoie de gros bisous. (I’m sending you big kisses.)

Listen to a native pronunciation here.

3. Hippocampe

What a majestic creature a hippocampe (seahorse) is. Not only does it travel the lengths of the sea, but the males carry the babies rather than the females!

Of course a creature like this needs a beautiful name to reflect their wonderful exterior and strength.

L’hippocampe a nagé dans la mer. (The seahorse swam in the sea.)

4. Chuchoter

Who wouldn’t love an intimate chuchoter (whisper) in French? Although it might be a little bit harder to understand, which could be seen as an added bonus (ask for a repeat!), the excitement of it might send you all a quiver.

Peut-être (maybe) the context won’t even matter as long as it’s in French!

Il chuchote des mots doux. (He whispers sweet nothings.)

Listen to a native pronunciation here.

5. Parapluie

This is another beautiful French word that might just cheer you up on a rainy day! If you hear rain on the weather, just make sure you have your parapluie (umbrella) in your bag.

Not only is it lovely to hear/say, but it protects you from the rain as well. What an added bonus!

The origin of this beautiful French word can be explained if you split parapluie in half to make para + pluie. Para- is a prefix used to indicate protection (think “parasol,” protection from the sun or “parachute,” protection from falling) and pluie is the French word for “rain.” Protection from the rain! Voila, ça marche! (There you go, it works!)

Il va pleuvoir cet aprés-midi, donc apporte ton parapluie. (It is going to rain this afternoon, so bring your umbrella.)

6. Envie

I hope you paid attention to the caution at the top of the post, because if this doesn’t do it for you, I don’t know what will!

If you’re in France having a nice time with one of the locals, and you hear the word envie (desire), then you know they’re interested.

Not only is Paris the “Romantic City of the World,” but the Parisians are pretty romantic too. A lot of Parisians are vocal about their wants and desires, leaving you to make your decision of how your night will pan out. Sometimes it’s nice to have the ball in your court!

When expressing that you want to do something, the grammar construction is avoir (to have) + envie   (desire) + de (to) + verb in the infinitive form. This means that you only conjugate avoir, leaving the second verb in its infinitive form.

J’ai envie de te voir (I have desire to see you. / I want to see you.)

7. Pamplemousse

Another French word that rolls off the tongue in a playful way is pamplemousse (grapefruit). It’s perhaps not the most used word in the French language, but it’s definitely a beautiful one.

The French have wonderful markets all around the country, so the next time you’re near the fruits, why not find a succulent pamplemousse? It’ll give you a chance to practice your beautiful words in French, not to mention a delicious a mid-morning snack.

Monsieur, deux pamplemousses s’il vous plaît! (Sir, two grapefruits please!)

Une salade de fruits avec du pamplemousse. (Fruit salad with grapefruit.)

Listen to a native pronunciation here.

8. Plein de vie

Many things can make you plein de vie (full of life), including the excitement and wonder of a new relationship. Maybe take your newfound energy for a trip to France.

There, you and your partner can frolic down the belles rues (beautiful streets) of France and celebrate the little things that make life wonderful.

Elle est pleine de vie quand elle est avec son enfant. (She is full of life when she is with her child.)

Listen to a native pronunciation here.

9. Joli(e)

It seems fitting to include joli(e) (pretty) in this list of pretty French words, as all of the words included in it are… très jolis (very pretty)!

The French pride themselves on being chic and natural beauties…. so maybe the next time you’re lucky enough to meet someone nice, you should tell them so!

Cette fille est vraiment jolie! Peut-être je devrais parler avec elle. (This girl is really pretty! Maybe I should talk to her.)

Listen to a native pronunciation here.

10. Étoile

Talking about beautiful French words, étoile (star) is most certainly one of them! On a clear night in the French countryside what would be an ideal date?

How about a romantic evening picnic (maybe check the weather first!) followed by observation des étoiles avec votre chéri(e), (star gazing with your darling). Wow, the height of romance and the cherry on the top—you’re speaking in French!

Il avait des étoiles dans les yeux. (He had stars in his eyes.)

Beautiful Words In English

Serendipity (n.)

The chance occurrence of events in a beneficial way. Example: We all have experienced the serendipity of important information arriving just when we were least expecting it.

Petrichor (n.)

The pleasant, earthy smell after rain. Example: Although I do love the pleasant, dewy petrichor of the post-rain afternoon, I still hope the weather stays sunny.

Supine (adj.)

Lying face upwards Example: She was lying supine on the beach chair looking at the sky.

Solitude (n.)

A state of seclusion or isolation. Example: We enjoyed the beauty and solitude of the quiet beach more than ever.

Aurora (n.)

The dawn in the early morning. Example: The aurora over the skyline was too beautiful not to photograph.

Idyllic (adj.)

Like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque. Example: The blossom growing in the courtyard created such an idyllic setting.

Clinomania (n.)

Excessive desire to stay in bed. Example: I definitely have clinomania; I love sleeping, making mornings a struggle for me.

Pluviophile (n.)

A lover of rain; someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days. Example: My sister is a real pluviophile; she really enjoys the weather in the rainy season.

Euphoria (n.)

A feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness. Example: The euphoria of passing my final exam is a feeling I will never forget.

Sequoia (n.)

(A 7 letter word that has the letter Q and all 5 vowels) A redwood tree, especially the California redwood. Example: I love visiting forests where you can see a sequoia.

Beautiful Words For Sister

On having her there when you need her.

“I may not be able to solve all of your problems, but I promise you won’t have to face them alone.”

On always having back up.

“Being sisters means you always have back up.”

On cheering for your sister.

“I know it has been tough, but I’m still cheering for you (always).”

On staying together through anything.

“There are rare people who will show up at the right time, help you through the hard times and stay into your best times… those are the keepers.” — Nausicaa Twila

On just having someone around.

“Sometimes we need someone to simply be there. Not to fix anything, or to do anything in particular, but just to let us feel that we are cared for and supported.”

On being an angel.

“Sister, you are like my angel, with a love that always glows. You are one of the greatest gifts my heart will ever know.”

On never letting go.

“A person that truly loves you will never let you go, no matter how hard the situation is.”

On finding your other half.

“To my sister: You are my best friend, my human diary, and my other half. You mean the world to me and I love you.”

On having a loyal sister.

“A loyal sister is worth a thousand friends.”

On reminding your sister you’re always there.

“When life’s hills become too steep to climb on my own, my sister takes my hand and reminds me that I didn’t have to climb it alone to begin with.”

Beautiful Words For Girls

1. Cute can be used to describe a dog, a baby, or a person you are attracted to in a romantic or non-romantic way.  To call somebody cute is often the first phase of romantic interest, but it can also be confused with a plutonic/NON-romantic love.

2. Adorable has the same sense as cute, but it’s a bit stronger. It’s a way to talk about a lighter, more playful form of beauty that can be applied to pets, babies/kids, and people for whom you may or may not have a romantic attraction.  Adore as a verb, however, means to have a deep love and respect for someone.

3. Attractive is the most generic and objective way to say that another person has a pleasing appearance. It does not necessarily denote romantic interest. This is a word you might use to talk about a person (to objectively describe someone as good-looking) and not to a person your interested in.

4. Good-looking is one of the most common ways to describe a person who is attractive. Although good-looking is a little more suggestive of romantic intentions than the word attractive, it does not necessarily denote romantic interest.  It is used to talk about people who have a pleasing appearance. Good-looking comes from to look good (e.g. you look good in that dress).

5. Beautiful is the classic way to describe a feminine beauty (at least when talking about people), which often expresses both outer and inner beauty. Calling a person of the opposite sex beautiful (i.e. you are beautiful) is more and more suggestive of romantic interest because it could denote attraction to their whole being.

This is, however, different than saying “you look beautiful” (a compliment on somebody’s current appearance which may or may not denote romantic interest). It’s also important to keep in mind that a woman (especially) often compliments another woman’s physical beauty without romantic intentions, as a man may (to a woman). But it’s rare to hear a heterosexual man describe another man as beautiful.

*Important Cultural Note: With romantic intentions, beautiful is generally used to describe a feminine or very intimate beauty. So, in English speaking cultures, it’s not common for a woman to call a man beautiful unless she was describing a more delicate type of beauty. While a man would call a woman beautiful, a woman would call a man good-looking, cute, or even handsome. Also keep in mind that beautiful is not just used to describe people, but also places and things, which is much more universal.

6. Handsome is a word that is traditionally used to describe an attractive man. In the United States, this is a more old-fashioned word, and is rarely used by younger generations, while Australians of all ages use this to describe attractive men all the time.

In the U.S. the general tendency (for younger people) in describing an attractive man isn’t to use beautiful or handsome (although they aren’t incorrect).  Most people younger than 40 would use good-looking or cute in this situation.

7. Pretty is similar to beautiful in meaning, but in a more innocent and/or physical way. Beautiful is a more powerful and complete concept (beauty can describe not just outer beauty, but also inner beauty, as well as grace), and has more of an impact. Pretty, on the other hand, may be more based on physical appearance that can be molded by cosmetics. While it does denote attraction and there’s nothing superficial about this word, pretty is not as deep and significant as beautiful. It’s also not so formal.

Note: This is another word describing feminine beauty. A woman would generally never call a man “pretty.” Another common collocation is for a witch to call kids “my pretties” when she has a malicious intention.

8. Gorgeousis another synonym for beautiful that denotes a very powerful physical attraction. While the world beautiful may have more of an inner/outer quality, gorgeous is purely physical attraction. This can be used for both feminine and masculine beauty, although it is more common for women to use this to describe men.

Beautiful Words In Hindi

नमस्ते Namaste (nah-mah-stay) / A respectful greeting / I bow to you

Much like the English ‘Hello!’, Namaste is a courteous way of greeting people in India. Derived from Sanskrit, it’s a combination of two words: Namah, which means ‘bow’ or ‘adoration’, and te, which means ‘to you’. In its literal sense, the word translates as ‘I bow to you’. The gesture involves pressing both the hands together and gently bowing your head.

Namaste | ©WikiCommons

सांझ Saanjh (saanzhh) / Evening

Derived from the word Sandhya, which means evening, saanjh is an important part of the day in Hindu culture. It is essentially the time when day meets night, and many believe that god enters the house at this hour to bless people. Several houses in India have made it a regular practice to light a lamp to welcome god and stave off evil forces outside the house.

जिजीविषा Jijivisha (gg-vee-shaa) / A strong eternal desire to live and continue living

Untranslatable to English, Jijivisha is a beautiful word that represents feelings of optimism or hope for life. It is often used to talk about a person who loves life and lives it to the fullest, come what may.

Hope | ©Pixabay

मोक्ष Moksha (mohk-shuh) / Liberation, Release or Emancipation

Also known as mukti, moksha is a spiritual term in Jainism and Hinduism that is equivalent to Nirvana in Buddhism. Etymologically, it is derived from the Sanskrit word muc, which means to free or to let go. It means freeing oneself from the worldly shackles and from the cycle of life and death (called Saṃsāra) that is determined by the law of Karma. The Indian city of Varanasi is considered to be the gateway to moksha.

वात्सल्य Vatsalya (Vaat-sal-yaa) / Motherly love

They say that a mother’s love is unconditional and this word beautifully captures that feeling. Vatsalya is one the five bhāvas (feelings or attitudes) of bhakti  (devotion) that is usually associated with Yashoda, the foster mother of Lord Krishna, who loved him as her own child.

Motherly love | ©Pixabay

प्रेरणा Prerna (Prer-nah) / Inspiration

When you have been deeply touched or moved by a person or an experience, that feeling is called prerna. Derived from Sanskrit, the word – a popular name for girls – can also mean inspiration or to seek inspiration.

आशा Asha (Aa-shaa) / Hope or desire

Translated into desire, wish or hope, the word asha is associated with aisha (life) in Swahili and asher (happy) in Hebrew. This powerful word is connected to the ash tree to symbolise protectiveness and is also a popular name for girls in India.

रिमझिम Rimjhim (rim-zhim) / Pitter-patter of a light drizzle

This word captures the essence of the rainy season. Literally, it means the pitter-patter of a light shower or drizzle and, figuratively, represents the happiness and joy that rain brings. In Bollywood parlance, it is associated with romance, and you’ll frequently find the word in poems and songs.

Drizzling | ©WikiCommons

प्यार Pyaar (pa-yaar) / Love

A derivative of the Sanskrit word ‘Priya’, meaning loved one or beloved, the verb pyaar  means love. It can be used in all sorts of situations and among many individuals regardless of their relationship.

पवित्र Pavitra (Paaviy- trah) / Pure or Holy

Another popular name among girls in India, pavitra is associated with anything that is holy or sacred. Meaning pure in its literal sense, pavitra can be linked to objects, plants, animals, places or people. Symbolically, the word is used to assert moral superiority.

सुन्दर Sundar (soon-dur) / Beautiful

Rooted in the Sanskrit language, sundar is used to describe an individual who is attractive and beautiful, or a piece of work that is elegant and captivating.

Do you ever feel like there’s no way to fully express what you want to say? This happens to a lot of us, but it’s not because those words don’t exist. There’s a whole world of rare words with beautiful meanings out there.

If you’re feeling speechless, take a look at this list of unique words you can add to your daily vocabulary. 

1. Zephyr 

Noun: a calm, gentle breeze.

This word stems from the name Zephyrus, the Greek god of the west wind.

RELATED: 23 Words For Emotions You Feel But Can’t Explain

2. Eunoia

Noun: beautiful thinking; healthy mind.

Eunoia is the shortest word in the English language that has each vowel in it.

3. Fika

Noun: a moment to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. 

Fika is a Swedish concept that makes it essential to take time to stop and socialize.

4. Philocalist

Noun: lover of beauty; someone who finds beauty in all things. 

A philocalist is someone who is able to cherish the little things. 

5. Redamancy

Noun: the act of loving someone who loves you back; a love returned in full. 

Redamancy is what happens when the feeling is mutual. It’s sort of the opposite of unrequited love. 

6. Aliferous

adjective: having wings. 

If you drink a Red Bull, you will likely become aliferous.

7. Munificence

Noun: the quality of being very generous. 

A rich friend who is generous with there money has munificence. 

8. Peiskos

Noun: the feeling of enjoying the warmth from a fireplace. 

Peiskos is a Norweigian word that describes the pleasures of sitting in front of a glowing fire. 

9. Querencia

Noun: a sanctuary where you feel safe.

A querencia is an area in a bullfight arena taken by the bull for a defensive stand.

10. Reverie

Noun: the state of being lost in your own thoughts; a daydream.

A reverie can be broken by a loud obnoxious sound. 

11. Beamish

Adjective: bright, cheerful, and optimistic.

Most optimists have a beamish quality about them.

12. Metanoia

Noun: the journey of changing your mind, heart, self, and way of life. 

A spiritual awakening is an example of metanoia. 

13. Paladin

Noun: a determined advocate or defender of a noble cause. 

A paladin is a military leader or medieval prince. 

14. Ataraxia

Noun: a state of freedom from emotional disturbance and anxiety; tranquility. 

Ataraxia means living without anxiety. Imagine!

15. Snuggery

Noun: a cozy room. 

A snuggery is a place full of fluffy pillows, if that’s something you like!

16. Lagom

Adjective: not too much and not too little; just the right amount. 

Lagom is a Swedish and Norwegian word that means «just the right amount.»

17. Selcouth

Adjective: unfamiliar, rare and strange, but marvelous.

Of all the unusual words with beautiful meanings, selcouth might be the rarest. It is used to describe something rare, but beautiful.

So all of the words on this list have a selcouth quality to them. 

18. Thalassophile

Noun: lover of the sea. 

A Thalassophile is someone who loves to spends their summers at the beach.

19. Raconteur

Noun: a talented storyteller. 

If you’re hosting a dinner party with a lot of introverts, you should definitely add a raconteur to the guest list. 

20. Orphic

Adjective: mysterious and enchanting; beyond ordinary understanding. 

An Orphic idea is the Nietzchean idea of eternal recurrence.

21. Appetence

Noun: an eager desire or instinctive inclination; an attraction or natural bond. 

Just looking at the big golden McDonald’s arch can give you an appetence for a juicy big mac. 

22. Nyctophilia

Noun: the love of darkness or the night. 

Nyctophilia is a strong preference of night time over the daytime. 

23. Quintessential

Adjective: the perfect example or representation of a certain kind of person or thing.

Britney Spears is the quintessential example of a pop star who is under the thumb of someone else’s emotional control. 

24. Apricity

Noun: the warmth of the sun in winter. 

Iowans jump for joy at apricity. The winters in Iowa get so tedious and dreadful, that a little sunlight every now and then makes a huge difference on their mood.

25. Elysian

Adjective: sharing characteristics of heaven/paradise. 

A tropical vacation is elysian.

26. Psithurism

Noun: the sound of the wind in the trees.

Psithurism, the sound of the wind in the trees, is quite possibly the most beautiful sound in nature. 

27. Mudita

Noun: delight in the happiness of others. 

Mudita is the feeling of happiness that comes when other people are happy.

28. Bimble

Verb: to walk at a leisurely pace. 

Nobody in New York City has time to bimble to the subway. Everyone must walk with intention and urgency. 

29. Librocubicularist

Noun: a person who reads in bed.

A librocubicularist is someone who reads in bed before falling asleep.

30. Incandescent

Adjective: emitting light; full of emotion, passionate. 

The sun is a mass of incandescent gas. 

31. Minerva

Noun: a woman of great wisdom. 

Minerva is a beautiful word to describe a beautiful woman who is wise beyond her years.

32. Eleutheromania

Noun: a great desire or obsession with freedom.  

If you experience eleutheromania, you have an obsession or deep desire for freedom.

33. Lacuna

Noun: a blank space or missing part. 

If there’s a lacuna in the middle of a novel, you won’t be able to read it in its entirety. For example, if some of its pages were intentionally ripped out.

34. Gumusservi

Noun: moonlight shining on water. 

Have you ever witnessed the silvery gumusservi at night? It’s one of the closest things to magic that you’ll ever see. 

35. Cosmogyral

Adjective: whirling around the universe. 

Dr. Who is a cosmogryal scientist who travels throughout time. 

36. Copacetic

Adjective: in excellent order.

Any boss is pleased to hear «everything is copacetic» from their unpaid interns.  

37. Elucidate 

Verb: to make clear or easy to understand. 

To elucidate is to fully express yourself with absolute clarity. 

38. Puissant

Adjective: powerful, mighty, potent.

The puissant hall monitor has the ability to send his classmates to detention if they’re cutting class. 

39. Exculpate

Verb: to clear from fault or guilt. 

A judge will hopefully exculpate you if you’ve been wrongly accused of grand theft auto. 

40. Verdant

Adjective: abundant in plants and flowers. 

When you’re over-exhausted from looking at the computer all day, it’s a great idea to walk through the verdant woods. 

41. Aeipathy

Noun: an enduring and consuming passion. 

Aeipathy sounds like apathy but suggests the opposite. 

42. Retrouvaille

Noun: the joy of being reunited with someone again after a long time apart. 

Retrouvaille is a French word that means rediscovery. Being reunited with someone you love is an example of that. 

43. Cathartic

Adjective: providing psychological relief through the release of strong emotions. 

Expressing yourself through drawing, singing, or sculpting can be very cathartic. 

45. Lambent

Adjective: softly bright or radiant. 

A lambent light flickers softly, rather than being overwhelming to look at. 

46. Moonbow

Noun: a rainbow caused by the reflection and refraction of the light of the moon. 

A moonbow is the nighttime version of the rainbow.

47. Skosh

Noun: a small amount. 

The barista will put a skosh of oat milk in your coffee when you ask for «just a little oat milk.»

48. Irenic

Adjective: conducive to peace or moderation. 

Your relationship with your siblings often becomes irenic as you get older.

49. Balter

Verb: to dance without skill but with great enjoyment. 

You don’t need to be an experienced ballerina to have a night out at the club. You can balter as much as you please. 

50. Candor

Noun: honest, open, or sincere expression. 

If someone speaks with great candor, they are someone to be trusted. 

51. Inchoate

Adjective: imperfectly formed or formulated. 

A recent start-up is often inchoate if the owners have not thought through the logistics of their company yet. 

52. Galvanize

Verb: to motivate action or excitement. 

In order to galvanize their children, strict parents will reprimand until the cows come home.

53. Pogonophile

Noun: a person who is fond of beards. 

A pogonophile is someone who exclusively dates people with beards.

54. Serendipity

Noun: a string of chance events that lead to a happy outcome. 

Serendipity can happen when you run into an old flame at a music festival.

55. Penchant

Noun: a strong habitual liking of something or the tendency to do something. 

If you have a penchant for drawing, you should definitely consider taking a few visual art courses in school. 

56. Finifugal

Adjective: hating endings; someone who prolongs saying goodbye for as long as possible.

A finifugal friend who doesn’t like to say goodbye might move away without warning. 

57. Resplendent

Adjective: shining brightly

A garden is resplendent with flowers and lush greenery. 

58. Burgeon

Verb: to begin to grow rapidly; to flourish.

Typically, people start to burgeon when they move away from home.

59. Curio

Noun: a rare, unusual, or intriguing object. 

Sending someone a curio for their birthday is always a fun idea. 

60. Gadabout

Noun: a person who moves aimlessly, especially from one social activity to another.

Social butterflies are such gadabouts. 

61. Clowder

noun: a cluster of cats. 

One of those unique words to describe a group of animals. In this case, it’s cats!

62. Acatalepsy

Noun: the idea that it is impossible to truly comprehend anything. 

Acatalepsy is an ancient Skeptic doctrine that suggests that human knowledge is never certain. 

63. Mizzle

Verb: to rain in fine drops. 

Mizzle is another word for drizzle.

RELATED: 17 Things We Feel Every Single Day, But Don’t Have The Words For

64. Seatherny

Noun: the serenity you feel when listening to the birds chirp. 

If your bedroom window is next to a tree or two, you will likely experience seatherny in the morning.

65. Onism

Noun: the awareness of how little of the world you will see. 

Onism is the self-awareness that you’ll never experience the world in its entirety. Everyone is on their own journey. 

66. Aesthete

Noun: a person with great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature. 

An aesthete is someone who has a color-coordinated Instagram feed.

67. Brobdingnagian

Adjective: giant.

The Eiffel Tower is brobdingnagian and so was the Titanic.

68. Charmolypi

Noun: a mixed feeling of happiness while being sad. 

You may feel charmolypi when graduating from college.

69. Gloaming

Noun: twilight, dusk.  

Gloaming happens after the sun sets. 

70. Hyperotomachia

Noun: the struggle for love in a dream. 

A dream within a dream — only this time you’re struggling to find love.

71. Sonder

Verb: to realize that every person is living their own unique life. 

To sonder is to realize that every human being is living their own complex life.

72. Pigsney

Noun: a darling.

A pigsney is another way to refer to your sweetheart. 

73. Melee

Noun: a confused struggle

A melee is also a disorganized combat or battle.

74. Rectitude

Noun: moral integrity. 

The best journalism prioritizes rectitude over popularity. 

78. Skookum

Adjective: strong, brave, or impressive.

Superheroes are skookum individuals who use their powers for good.  

79. Moira

Noun: a person’s fate or destiny. 

A moira is set and stone. There’s nothing you can do to change it. 

80. Horology

Noun: the art of making timepieces or measuring time. 

Horology is the study of measuring time.

81. Quiescent

Adjective: resting in a tranquil manner. 

A quiescent person is someone who is still and at ease.

82. Empyrean

Adjective: pertaining to the sky; celestial; formed by pure fire or light. 

Empyrean also means relating to heaven or the sky. 

83. Clinquant

Adjective: glittering with gold and silver. 

Christmas trees often have a clinquant quality about them — when they’re covered in tinsel, of course.

84. Saudade

Noun: the longing to be near someone or something that is distant.

People often experience saudade when they’re in long-distance relationships.

85. Fernweh

Noun: an ache for distant places; a longing for travel. 

Fernweh is German for «wanderlust.»

86. Astrophile

Noun: a person who loves stars. 

An astrophile knows everything there is to know about astrology.

87. Arcane 

Adjective: secret, mysterious, understood by only a few.

If an agreement is arcane, only a few people know the details of that agreement.

88. Alpas

Verb: to break free, to let loose. 

Alpas is a Filipino word in Tagalog that means to break free. 

89. Halcyon

Noun: a period of time in the past that was happy and peaceful. 

Halcyon is another way to say «simpler times.»

90. Evanescent

Adjective: soon passing out of sight or existence. 

A bubble is evanescent as it floats quickly out of sight. 

91. Vellichor

Noun: the strange wistfulness of used bookshops.

Bibliophiles adore bookstores for the vellichor of it all. 

92. Rame

Verb: to moan, cry or weep.

To rame is also to sob or shed tears. 

93. Vagary

Noun: an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone’s behavior.

The vagaries of weather are disturbing.

94. Laconic

Adjective: expressing much in a few words. 

A laconic text achieves grand meaning in concise, clear sentences. 

95. Meraki

Adjective: to do something with soul, passion, or love. 

Meraki is used to describe the sensation of putting yourself into something you love. 

96. Amorevolous

Adjective: loving. 

The young lovers were so amorevolous when around each other. 

97. Effervescent

Adjective: vivacious and enthusiastic. 

Effervescent people are usually the life of the party. 

98. Kalon

Noun: beauty that is more than skin deep. 

Kalon is the ideal of physical and moral beauty. 

99. Enigma

Noun: a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand. 

Someone that’s an enigma is also referred to as «untouchable.»

100. Crayer

Verb: a former small sailing cargo boat.

A Crayer is a small boat that carries cargo, goods, or other materials from one port to another. 

101. Eudaimonia

Noun: the condition of living well.

Eudaimonia is a Greek word that translates to the condition of «good spirit.»

102. Kopfkino

Noun: the act of playing through an entire scenario in your mind. 

Kopfkino is a German word that translates to «head cinema.»

103. Nubivagant

Adjective: to move through the clouds. 

Nubivagant aircraft sometimes experience turbulence.

104. Paracosm

Noun: an imaginary world created by a child. 

Narnia and Wonderland are examples of paracosms.

105. Forelsket

Noun: the euphoria of first falling in love. 

Forelsket is the Norwegian word for falling head over heels in love. 

106. Novaturient

Adjective: desiring to seek a powerful change in your life. 

Those who are novaturient are ready to make great changes in their lives. 

107. Tacenda

Noun: things better left unsaid. 

Examples of Tacenda are that what is left unspoken. 

108. Soliloquize

Verb: to talk to yourself.

A soliloquy is a theatrical device where a character speaks to him or herself on stage when no one is around. 

109. Moxie

Noun: courage, nerve, or determination. 

Those who have moxie never back down from a fight. 

110. Oriflamme

Noun: a symbol that inspires confidence, devotion, or courage. 

A scarlet banner is an example of an oriflamme. 

111. Stardust

Noun: a naively romantic quality. 

Stardust is the magical quality of romance. 

112. Komorebi

Noun: the sunlight that filters through the trees. 

Komorebi is a Japanese word that means sunlight filtering through the trees.

113. Solandis

Noun: a delicate flower.

A rose is a rose is a rose is a solandis. 

114. Marmoris

Noun: the shining surface of the ocean. 

Marmoris is sometimes blinding.

115. Scintilla 

Noun: a tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling.

A scintilla of doubt is a hint of doubt.

116. Burble

Verb: to speak in an excited manner. 

It is difficult not to burble if you are speaking about one of your greatest passions.

117. Boketto

Verb: the act of gazing into the distance without a thought in your head. 

Boketto is a Japanese phenomenon that means to do nothing.

118. Peregrinate

Verb: to travel or wander from place to place. 

If you have wanderlust, you probably peregrinate.

119. Ludic

Adjective: full of fun and high spirits. 

Kittens are the cutest because they are so ludic. 

120. Bashment

Noun: a large party or dance. 

A bashment is another word for a dance hall.

121. Benthos

Noun: the flora and fauna on the bottom of a sea or a lake. 

You’ve probably felt benthos on your feet while swimming in the lake.

122. Boffola

Noun: an informal joke that gets a loud or hearty laugh. 

The audience cracked into boffola after the comedian’s inappropriate joke.

123. Cerulean

Adjective: deep sky blue. 

Cerulean is a beautiful blue color. 

124. Concinnity 

Noun: the skillful and harmonious arrangement or fitting together of the different parts of something. 

Concinnity is the idea that harmony is the perfect combination of two different things coming together.

125. Ebullience

noun: the quality of being bubbly, enthusiastic, and exuberant. 

Extroverts have a lot of ebullience.

126. Stellify

Verb: to turn into a star. 

A word in classic mythology used to describe a person who turned into a star.

RELATED: The 12 Most Motivating Words In The English Language Are …

Susie Grimshaw is a writer who covers love and relationship topics.

From Afrikaans to Zulu, here are 203 most beautiful untranslatable words in other languages from around the world that should exist in English.

If you’ve ever tried to learn a language, then you’ll know that translating is not always an easy task. There are over 7,000 languages in the world and just as many words and ideas that get ‘lost in translation’ due to differences in grammar and semantics, or even linguistic complications. When a language fails to convey the essence of a word during translation, the word is considered to be ‘untranslatable.’

There are many terms that drip with feeling and emotion that are simply untranslatable into English. By taking a closer look at some of the most beautiful untranslatable words from around the world, they can give us a glimpse into different cultures and belief systems that help us to understand the people who speak these marvellous languages. 

English is no stranger to borrowing words from other languages and even inventing new ones like ‘hangry‘, a combination of anger and hunger because you need something to eat asap. Then there is ‘nomophobia‘, an irrational fear or sense of panic felt when you’ve lost your phone or are unable to use it. Even English playwright William Shakespeare invented plenty of words too such as ‘faint-hearted‘ and ‘tongue-tied‘. These new words have entered English dictionaries at a fast pace, keeping up with the diversity of the English-speaking world. 

In spite of this, the English language can’t explain everything so succinctly, and yet there are many other languages that have, in just one word. This comprehensive list looks at some of the most beautiful words in different languages that are simply untranslatable into English. Many of which we should definitely borrow.

From Afrikaans to Zulu, here are 203 of the most beautiful untranslatable words from other languages.

Afrikaans

Loskop – Used to describe someone who is forgetful, absent-minded and a bit air-headed. It’s literally means, ‘loose (los) head (kop)’.

Learn Afrikaans for travel! Get my free Afrikaans travel phrase guide here.

Albanian

Besa –  An Albanian verb and pledge of honour that means to keep a promise by honouring your word. It’s usually translated as “faith” or “oath”.

Arabic

Samar (سمر) – Staying up late after the sun has gone down and having an enjoyable time with friends. Samar is also an Arabic name meaning ‘evening conversations including Arabic music and poetry’. Samar in Arabic is a cognate of the Hebrew name Shamar which means ‘to preserve’.

Taarradhin  (تراض) – Taarradhin is the act of coming to a happy compromise where everyone wins. It’s a way of reconciling without anyone losing face.

Ya’aburnee (يقبرني) –  This word is an emotional declaration of one’s hope that they’ll die before another person to express how impossible it would be to live without them. The literal meaning of the Arabic word ya’aburnee is ‘you bury me’. The underlying idea goes deeper than that (no pun intended). Ya’aburnee is said in the hope that a loved one will outlive you. It is a painful yet beautiful expression of a desire to save yourself the pain of a life without a person you love.

Learn Arabic for travel! Get my free Arabic travel phrase guide here.

Basque

Aspaldiko – This untranslatable Basque word describes the euphoria and happiness felt when catching up with someone you haven’t seen in a long time.

Learn Basque for travel! Get my free Basque travel phrase guide here.

Bengali

Ghodar-dim (ঘোড়ার ডিম) – Pronounced [gho-rar-deem], this Bengali word is a sarcastic term for ‘nothing’ or false hope. It literally means ‘horse’s egg’, therefore representing something that doesn’t exist.

Bulgarian 

Ailyak – Ailyak is a beautiful Bulgarian term for the subtle art of doing everything calmly and without rushing, whilst enjoying the experience and life in general.

Learn Bulgarian for travel! Get my free Bulgarian travel phrase guide here.

Chinese (Mandarin)

Guanxi (关系) – Pronounced [gwan-shee], guanxi is often translated as ‘connections’, ‘relationships’ or ‘networks’ and refers to having a strong personal relationship with someone which involves moral obligations and exchanging favours. This is one of the essential ways of getting things done in traditional Chinese society. To build up good guanxi, you do things for people such as give them gifts, take them to dinner, or other favours. If you need to call in a favour then you ‘use up’ your guanxi.

Once a favour is made, an unspoken obligation exists. Because of this, people often try to refuse gifts, because, sooner or later, they may have to repay the debt. However, the bond of guanxi rarely ends, because once the relationship exists, it sets up an endless loop that can last a lifetime.

Ré nao (热闹) – The Chinese word ré nao is usually translated as ‘lively’ or ‘bustling,’ but its true meaning goes beyond these adjectives. It refers to a fun, lively place with an inviting vibe that makes you want to be there.

Czech

Litost – Litost is nearly untranslatable, but Czech writer Milan Kundera describes it as ‘a state of torment created by the sudden sight of one’s own misery’. 

Mít kliku – This Czech verb means to have luck on your side or be lucky enough to achieve something. It literally means, ‘to have a door handle’.

Prozvonit – Prozvonitis when you call but only let it ring once so that the other person calls back without so you save money or minutes. 

Learn Czech for travel! Get my free Czech travel phrase guide here.

Danish

Arbejdsglæde – Pronounced [ah-bites-gleh-the], this compound word is make up of arbejde meaning ‘work’ and glæde meaning ‘happiness’ so arbejdsglæde literally means ‘job joy’, ‘job satisfaction’ or ‘happiness at work.’ It’s the heightened sense of happiness, fulfilment, and satisfaction you get from having a great job.  This untranslatable word also exists in the other Nordic languages, including Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Icelandic.

Hygge – Pronounced [HEU-guh], Hygge is a well-known Danish term that describes the emotional warmth created by relaxing in the company of loved ones such as good friends and family. Hygge usually involves spending the evening at home, and getting cozy by candlelit with warm blankets, and maybe some alcohol. Watching the glow of a roaring log burner is hygge and so too is building a snowman with your children – however old they are. Similar words are also found in German (gemütlichkeit), Swedish (gemytlig) and Norwegian (hyggelig). 

Learn Danish for travel! Get my free Danish travel phrase guide here.

Dutch

Uitwaaien – Uitwaaien is an idiomatic Dutch expression which means to go out in windy weather, particularly into nature or a park, in order to refresh and clear one’s mind. Uitwaaien comes from the Dutch uit– ‘out-‘ and‎ waaien, ‘to blow’, of wind.

Voorpret – Voorpret is the build up of anticipation, joy or pleasure you feel ahead of the actual event such as setting up for a party and can’t help but dance as you do it. Voorpret literally means, ‘pre-fun’ but means more than just the anticipation of something fun, it’s enjoying the anticipation. It’s voorpret!

Gezelligheid – This Dutch word combines the Danish concept of hygge and the German gemütlichkeit. Gezelligheid is the idea of being in a comfortable, cozy atmosphere with loved ones, catching up with an old friend, or just the general togetherness that gives people a warm feeling. It suggests a sense of closeness that many consider encompasses the heart of Dutch culture.

Epibreren –  Pronounced [ep-i-BREER-un], epibreren describes giving the appearance of being busy and important in the workplace when in reality you’re being super lazy. This term comes with an interesting origin story too. It was originally coined by Simon Carmiggelt, a Dutch newspaper columnist who explained in one of his columns that this previously unknown term had been revealed to him in 1953 by a civil servant from whom he had requested some papers. The civil servant said that the papers still needed epibreren. Not knowing what he meant, Carmiggelt asked, and the civil servant eventually confessed that he had made it up to fend off enquiries.

Learn Dutch for travel! Get my free Dutch travel phrase guide here.

Estonian

Leiliviskaja – A person who throws water on hot rocks to make steam in a sauna.

Finnish

Hyppytyynytyydytys – This may look like I fell asleep on my keyboard, but this Finnish word literally means, ‘bouncy cushion satisfaction’. It describes the pleasure and satisfaction derived from sitting or bouncing on a bouncy cushion. I want to learn Finnish just so I can use this word!

Jaksaa – A severe absence of enthusiasm to do something. When you just don’t have enough strength, will power to do something or can’t be bothered.

Kaamos — Kaamos is more than just Polar Night when there are 24 consecutive hours of darkness,  kaamos describes the longing for sunshine, and a feeling of depression and lack of motivation and enthusiasm. It signifies long dark days and bad weather, no social life, and a lack of inspiration.

Lieko – A trunk of a tree that has submerged to the bottom of a lake.

Myötähäpeä – Experiencing a shared embarrassment or shame when seeing someone else do something embarrassing. Myö means ‘we,’ myötä means ‘with’ and häpeä is ‘shame’, so it can be roughly translated to something like ‘co-embarrassment’ or ‘secondhand embarrassment’.

Poronkusema – Talk about very Finnish problems, poronkusema describes the distance a reindeer can comfortably travel before taking a break to urinate. In case you were wondering, it’s around, 4.7miles / 7.5km. Poronkusema was once an official unit of measurement until the metric system was introduced in the late nineteenth century.

Sauna – A sauna is a small room used as a hot-air or steam bath for cleaning and refreshing the body. Saunas were invented in Finland several millennia ago and are still a cornerstone of Finnish culture, as well as of every Finnish home. So much so that, traditionally, when people moved they used to build the sauna first, and only then the house. 

Sisu – Sisu is a Finnish concept that describes a stoic resilience, determination and hardiness considered to be necessary to face the difficulties of life in general and of life in harsh conditions in particular. This Finnish term that can be roughly translated as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu isn’t momentary courage, but the power to sustain that courage to see something through.

Tokka – Pronounced [talk-uh] is a Finnish collective noun for a large herd of reindeer. It is said that there are as many reindeer as there are people in Finland.

Learn Finnish for travel! Get my free Finnish travel phrase guide here.

French

Bérézina – A sense of panic associated with a huge defeat. The word Bérézina is used in the French idom ‘C’est la Bérézina’ meaning a complete defeat, loss. The origin of this expression dates back over 200 years to the banks of the river Berezina in Belarus. It was here that a fierce battle took place between Napoleon’s retreating army and the Imperial Russian army. The battle ended in a victory for the Russian Empire and heavy losses for the French.

Dépaysement – Dépaysement is a feeling of restlessness that comes with being away from your country of origin and feeling like a foreigner. It’s a mix of disorientation to culture shock. Dépaysement can also be used when you’re a bit fed up with your environment and need a change of scenery. Literally, dépaysement means something like ‘to be uncountried’.

Bricoleur — A bricoleur is a handyman who uses whatever materials he can get his hands on to create a construction (or bricolage). Think of the well-known term Bric-à-brac –  miscellaneous objects and ornaments of little value. The closest equivalent in English would be something like a DIY-er. 

Flâneur –  Flâner is a verb meaning ‘to stroll’ but a flâneur is a person of leisure who enjoys wandering the streets and soaking in the city and surroundings and appreciating its beauty. The term flâneur was first coined in the 19th century to describe a literary man of a certain social class, who would spend his time exploring the streets of Paris.

La douleur exquise – If French is the language of love, then it seems only fitting that it has a term to describe all the feelings associated with unrequited love. La douleur exquise literally means ‘the exquisite pain’,  the pain of wanting something you can’t have, such as someone who will never return your feelings.

L’appel du vide – L’appel du vide is that little voice in your head telling you to do something stupid like jerking the steering wheel to the right and take a flying leap off the edge or staring out at the view from a balcony and have a sudden urge to jump over the ledge. In English, you might refer to it as the call of the Siren song.

L’esprit de l’escalier – Literally ‘stairwell wit’, l’esprit de l’escalier is the feeling that you’ve got the perfect comeback, but you think of it too late. Similar to the German, treppenwitz, mentioned earlier.

Retrouvailles – This beautiful French word means ‘refindings’, referring to the reunion you would have with someone you care deeply for but haven’t seen in a long time. The English word ‘reunion’ doesn’t quite capture this intense feeling.

Yaourt – The need to sing along to a song even though you don’t know the lyrics. Instead, you use nonsensical noises that vaguely resemble the lyrics of a song.

Learn French for travel! Get my free French travel phrase guide here.

Georgian

Shemomedjam – When you eat something because it’s so yummy and delicious, even though you’re not hungry.

German

Backpfeifengesicht – German is full of hilarious phrases and backpfeifengesicht is one of the most inventive. This German compound word literally means a ‘face that should be slapped’ or ‘a face in need of a slap!’ Backpfeifengesicht is made up of 3 separate words: back – from die Backe, meaning cheek; pfeifen – German verb meaning to whistle; das Gesicht – The German word for face. You might be thinking, but, Michele, that means ‘cheek whistle face’. True! But when you combine the words back and pfeife you get die Backpfeife, which means slap in German. 

Drachenfutter – Literally, ‘dragon fodder’, this is a gift someone gives to placate and apologise to someone, especially a spouse, after they’ve done something wrong or stupid.

Erklärungsnot – The urgent need to explain something, either yourself or the situation. It can also mean to struggle explaining something. Erklärungsnot is made up of the German words Erklärung (‘explanation’) and not (in this case, can be translated as ‘need.’)

Extrawunsch – A term used to call someone who complicates things by being fussy or picky, and thus slows things down.

Fachidiot – Fachidiot, literally it means ‘subject-idiot’. A fachidiot is a person with expert knowledge in their own field and are well-accomplished but are clueless when it comes to anything outside that area. 

Fahrvergnügen – The love and pleasure one feels from simply driving around. The German compound word fahrvergnügen comes from fahren (‘to drive’) and‎ vergnügen (‘pleasure’). This term was popularised in the USA by Volkswagen advertisements in the 1990s.

Fernweh – Fernweh is one of my favourite travel words that describe wanderlust perfectly. Fernweh is a feeling of homesickness for a place, even though you’ve never been there. The word fernweh is made up of fern (‘far’) and‎ weh (‘pain’) and can be literally translated as ‘farsickness’ or longing for far-off places. This is the opposite of heimweh, which means homesickness.

Fisselig – This represents a temporary state of sloppiness, usually elicited by a person’s nagging. This often means that a person is flustered to the point of incompetence.

Kabelsalat – Kabelsalat literally means, ‘a cable salad’, a beautiful word to describe the mess of tangled cables.

Handschuhschneeballwerfer – Handschuhschneeballwerfer is German slang for ‘coward’. It literally means, ‘someone who wears gloves to throw snowballs’. In other words, a cowardly person who criticises and abuses something from a safe distance.

Kummerspeck – Guilty of eating your feelings? That’s called ‘grief bacon’ or kummerspeck. This term refers binge eating as a result of an emotional blow and the excess weight you can gain from emotional overeating. 

Lebensmüde – Lebensmüde is a German compound noun made up of the words leben (life) and müde (tired), and literally means ‘life tired’. It describes the feeling of being tired or weary of life. Its closest English equivalents are probably world-weary, depressed, fed up, restless and dissatisfied.

Schadenfreude – A feeling of joy and pleasure that comes with seeing another’s misfortune. Usually. someone you really dislike.

Schilderwald – A street that is so overcrowded and rammed with street signs, that you’re more prone to getting lost rather than finding your way.

Schlimmbesserung – Something that was meant to be an improvement, but actually makes things worse.

Schnapsidee – Literally, ‘schnapps idea’, is a plan so ridiculous you must have been drunk when you thought it up.

Sitzfleisch – Literally translated, sitzfleisch means ‘sitting meat’ or ‘sitting flesh’ – in other words, your bottom. This German refers to a person with the ability to sit through something very boring. But not only. It’s also used to refer to someone who is hardworking and has the physical discipline to sit down and get on with the job. If you have, sitzfleisch, you possess the ability and the stamina to stay seated for extended periods of time in order to be productive and get the job done.

Torschlusspanik – This beautiful word is used to refer to the feeling you experience at a certain point in your life where you see an imaginary door closing on all your opportunities, and you wonder what could have been. Tor means ‘gate,’ schluss means ‘closing’ or ‘ending,’ and panik means, ‘panic.’ So, torschlusspanik literally translates to ‘gate closing panic.’

Treppenwitz – Possibly the most useful untranslatable word on this list, treppenwitz describes all the things you should have said in the heat of the moment but only think of when it is too late. Also known as, the best comeback line you never said.

Waldeinsamkeit – The feeling of being alone in the woods. Derived from two German words ‘wald,’ meaning forest, and ‘einsamkeit,’ meaning loneliness, it refers to a connectedness with nature and the peace experienced in that moment.

Weichei – Weichei is a German slang term which used to refer to a cowardly person. Literally meaning ‘a soft egg’, the closest English equivalent would be ‘wimp’.

Weltschmerz – The literal translation of the word is ‘world grief’, or ‘world-pain’,  a term first coined by the German author Jean Paul. Weltschmerz refers to a deep sadness about the imperfection and pain of the world.

Verschlimmbessern – Verschlimmbessern describes the act of trying to make something better, only to end up making it worse than it initially was. In English, you might say something like ‘to put your foot in it’.

Learn German for travel! Get my free German travel phrase guide here.

Greek

Filotimo (φιλότιμο) – Filotimo is almost impossible to translate but can be summed up as ‘love of honour’. It describes a person who understands the responsibility to themselves, as a human, being to always do the right thing and with honour. Even if their wealth, safety, freedom, or even life is at peril. No matter what, this person will do the honourable thing, regardless of the consequence.

Parea (παρέα) – In Greek culture, a parea is when a group of friends gather to share life experiences, philosophies, values, and ideas.

Psithurism (Ψυθισμός) – Psithurism is the rustling sound of leaves in the wind. It comes from the Greek psithuros, meaning ‘whispering, slanderous.’

Meraki (μεράκι) – Meraki is when you pour yourself wholeheartedly into doing something with soul, creativity, or love that you leave a piece of yourself in your work.

Learn Greek for travel! Get my free Greek travel phrase guide here.

Hawaiian

Pana Po’o – The act of scratching your head in an attempt to remember something you’ve forgotten.

Akihi –  When you ask someone for directions, walk off, then immediately forget what they said. You’ve gone ‘akihi’.

Hebrew

Firgun (פירגון) – Firgun is a Hebrew term and concept in Israeli culture used to describe genuine and sincere happiness for another person without any ulterior motives. This often means a feeling of pure joy on seeing someone else’s accomplishment.

Learn Hebrew for travel! Get my free Hebrew travel phrase guide here.

Hindi

Chai-Pani (चाय पानी)– The phrase ‘Chai-Pani’ literally meaning, ‘tea and water’, is used to offer welcome drinks and facilitate guests in houses of India. It can also refer to a bribe given to someone, often a bureaucratic worker, to get a job done quickly.

Jijivisha (जिजीविषा) – This Hindi word conveys an intense desire to live life to the fullest. The word often refers to a person who lives with intense emotions and ambitious desires, seeking to thrive.

Namaste (नमस्ते) – Namaste is both a gesture and divine greeting that sends a message of peace to the universe in the hopes of receiving a positive message back. Namaste comes from the Sanskrit namas (bowing) te (to you) and is often translated to ‘I bow to the divine in you’. 

Viraha (विरह) – Realising you love someone only after you’re separated.

Learn Hindi for travel! Get my free Hindi travel phrase guide here.

Hungarian

Elmosolyodni – A kind of smile that forms when something isn’t especially funny, but you can’t help but smile anyway.

Házisárkány – A nickname for your spouse or better half who is constantly nagging. It literally means an ‘Domestic Dragon’

Icelandic

Dalalæða – A low waist-deep fog that forms after a warm and sunny day. It literally means, ‘a fog that sneaks up from the bottom of a valley’ or ‘valley-sneak.’

Gluggaveður – When the weather looks pleasant from your window, but is actually really cold that you need a jacket. Gluggaveður literally means ‘window-weather.

Þetta reddast – Pronounced [THETTA red-ahst], Þetta reddast is Iceland’s unofficial motto that loosely translates as ‘everything will work out in the end’.

Tima – Being unwilling to spend time or money on a particular thing, even though you can afford it.

Learn Icelandic for travel! Get my free Icelandic travel phrase guide here.

Indonesian

Jayus – A joke so terrible and unfunny that you can’t help but laugh. It’s funny because it’s not funny, kind of like a dad joke. 

Mencolek – A lighthearted prank where you trick someone by tapping their opposite shoulder from where you’re standing in order to fool them. That’s mencolek!

Inuit

Iktsuarpok (ᐃᒃᑦᓱᐊᕐᐳᒃ) – From the Eastern Canadian Inuktitut, one of the principal Inuit languages of Canada, Iktsuarpok is the act of repeatedly going outside to keep checking if someone (anyone) is coming. Somewhere between impatience and anticipation. Iktsuarpok refers to the feeling of anticipation and impatient excitement that the person you’re waiting for has arrived.

Irish

Cúbóg – A batch of Easter eggs. 

Learn Irish for travel! Get my free Irish travel phrase guide here.

Italian

Abbiocco – This is one of my favourite Roman dialect words. It describes the drowsiness or ‘carb coma’ you feel following having eaten a big meal. 

Attaccabottoni – Literally, ‘attach buttons’, an attaccabottoni is a chatty person who corners you to tell you long, meaningless stories, in endless detail about their life.

Cavoli riscaldati – Literally reheated cabbage, this is essentially an attempt to reheat an old romance. In other parts of Italy, ‘minestra riscaldata‘ or ‘zuppa riscaldata’, meaning reheated soup, is used to describe the same sentiment.

Commovente – Often translated as ‘heartwarming,’ but it directly refers to being moved to tears. The verb commuovere  means to move, to touch, to stir emotions.

Culaccino – Culaccino refers to the dregs in a glass but also the residue or water ring left on a surface by a moist, cold glass or other small container. In Italian, ‘culo‘ means bottom.

Gattara – A woman devoted to caring for and feeding stray or domestic cats. A more extreme version of a cat lover.

Fare la scarpetta – To finish up the contents of your plate, especially the sauce, with a piece of bread.

Meriggiare – An Italian verb meaning to rest or relax at midday, usually in a shady spot on a sunny day. From ‘meriggio’ meaning ‘midday’.

Learn Italian for travel! Get my free Italian travel phrase guide here.

Japanese

Age-otori (上げ劣り) – Pronounced [aah-gey-oh-toh-ree], Age-otori is a beautiful Japanese word that perfectly sums up a disaster haircut that makes you look worse than before.

Arigata-meiwaku (ありがためいわく) – This is used to refer to an act that someone does for you, even though you didn’t want to have them do it and tried to avoid having them do. They might have gone ahead,  determined to do you a favour, then things going wrong, causing you a lot of trouble. In spite of this, social conventions required you to still express gratitude. What a mouthful! Yet the Japanese have a simple concise term that says it all in just 2 words, arigata-meiwaku.

Bakku-shan (バックシャン) – This dating slang term literally means ‘back beautiful’ and is used to describe a girl who is beautiful, as long as you’re looking at her from behind! Harsh!  An English equivalent could be either ‘good from afar, but far from good’, or ‘Butter face’ – where everything but her face is attractive). What makes this Japanese word so interesting is that it’s not Japanese at all, it’s a composite of バック (bakku, ‘back’, from English back) and‎ シャン (shan, ‘beautiful’, from German schön).

Boketto (ぼけっと) – Gazing vacantly into the distance without thinking of anything specific, in other words, daydreaming.

Chindōgu (珍道具) – A prank originating from Japan, which is done by a person seemingly inventing ingenious everyday gadgets that seem like an ideal solution to a particular problem, but are in fact nothing more than a useless gag. Literally translated, chindōgu means unusual (珍, chin) tool (道具, dōgu). 

Ikigai (生きがい) – Ikigai is a Japanese concept often translated to ‘your life purpose’, ‘a reason for being’ or getting up in the morning. Ikigai refers to having a direction or purpose in life which makes one’s life worthwhile and full of meaning. But is not just limited to this, it can also be something as small as a daily ritual you enjoy.

Kaizen (改善) –  Kaizen is a Japanese term and method meaning ‘change for the better’ or ‘continuous improvement.’ It’s a method for transforming habits incrementally, one step at a time, in order to continuously improve. It’s also a famous Japanese business philosophy where employees make small adjustments to processes that compound over time resulting in increased productivity.

Koi no yokan (恋の予感) – The feeling of excitement you get when you first meet someone and know that you will eventually fall in love with them and are hopeful about being more than just friends. This is a more realistic version of ‘love at first sight’. Koi no yokan comes from 恋 (koi) is romantic love, and 予感 (yokan) roughly translates to ‘premonition’ or ‘hunch’, and roughly translates to ‘premonition of love’.

Komorebi (木漏れ日) – This Japanese word beautiful describes the scattered sunlight that filters through the leaves on the trees. The word is composed of three kanji and the hiragana particles れ. While the first kanji refers to ‘tree’ or ‘trees,’ the second one means to ‘escape,’ and the third signifies ‘light’ or ‘sun.’ 

Kyōiku mama (教育ママ) – Pronounced [ky-oh-ee-kuu-mama], Kyōiku mama is an offensive Japanese term used to describe a mother who relentlessly pushes her children to achieve academic excellence. It literally translates to ‘education mother’.

Mono no aware (物の哀れ) – Literally ‘the pathos of things’, and also translated as ‘an empathy toward things’. The term Mono no aware was coined by Motoori Norinaga, an eighteenth century literary scholar, who combined aware, which means sensitivity or sadness, and mono, which means ‘things.’ Norinaga believed that this feeling was at the very centre of Japanese culture. 

Nekama (ネカマ) – Nekama refers to a certain type of male, who in their normal daily life are usually heterosexual, however, online they represent themselves as female. Thus, this term commonly refers to a man pretending to be a woman on the internet, regardless of his sexuality.

Shouganai (しょうがない) – A Japanese philosophy that states that if something is meant to be and cannot be controlled, then why worry about it? The idea is that worrying won’t prevent the bad things from happening; it will only deprive you of the joy of enjoying the good things in life. Translated literally, shouganai means ‘it can’t be helped’.

Tatemae (建前) and Honne (本音) – Tatemae has the specific cultural meaning. It refers to the behaviour that Japanese people adopt in public, according to what is socially accepted or not by Japanese society. It could be translated as the ‘public facade’. Privately held views that you would never admit in public is called honne.

Tsundoku (積ん読) – How many times have you bought a book but never read it? This is called tsundoku, a beautiful word used to describe the act of buying books but letting them pile without ever reading them. The term originated in the Meiji era (1868–1912) as Japanese slang. The word consists of tsunde-oku (積んでおく, to pile things up ready for later and leave) and dokusho (読書, reading books). It is also used to refer to books ready for reading later when they are on a bookshelf.

Wabi-Sabi (侘寂) – This is a beautiful Japanese concept that represents finding beauty in imperfections. It allows us to accept that growth and decay are a natural process. In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.  Wabi-sabi is a concept derived from the Buddhist teaching of the three marks of existence (三法印, sanbōin), specifically impermanence (無常, mujō), suffering (苦, ku) and emptiness or absence of self-nature (空, kū).

Yoko meshi (横飯) – Used to convey the stress-induced while speaking a foreign language, the literal meaning is ‘a meal eaten sideways’. Need help learning a language? Check out my guide to the best language learning resources here.

Yūgen (幽玄)  – Yūgen is an important concept in traditional Japanese aesthetics. It refers to the sad beauty associated with human suffering, coupled with a sense of profound mysterious sense and beauty of the universe.

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Related: 69 Wonderful Japanese Expressions That Will Brighten Your Day

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Kivila

Mokita – From the Kivila language native to Papua New Guinea, mokita is a commonly known truth that no one wants to admit or talk about. 

Korean

Dapjeongneo (답정너) – A situation where you’re ‘the right thing’ by telling the other person what they want to hear, even though you might not actually believe it. Sort of like telling a white lie to avoid causing offence.

Gosohada (고소하다) – The feeling you get when someone finally gets what they deserves. When you think to yourself ‘HA serves you right!’, that’s Gosohada.

Gilchi (길치) – What you call someone who has a terrible sense of direction and who constantly gets lost.

Hyo – Pronounced [hee-yo], this is both a name meaning ‘dutiful’ and a term to describe the sense of duty children have towards their parents and the expectation that they may need to make sacrifices for them out of respect.

Latvian

Kaapshljmurslis – Kaapshljmurslis is used to describe the uncomfortable cramped feeling you get when you’re in a crowded bus or train during rush hour.

Lithuanian 

Nepakartojama – A never-to-be-repeated perfect situation. Directly translated, it means ‘unable to repeat’

Malay

Manja – Manja is a person who shows so much outward love and affection towards someone they care about, like a spouse, partner, or child, to the point where they are pampering or spoiling them

Pisan Zapra – The time it takes to eat a banana. Which apparently, is roughly two minutes.

Māori (Cook Islands Maori) 

Papakata – To have one leg shorter than the other.

Norwegian

Dugnad – Is a type of community day where Norwegians get together to help clean up their neighbourhoods by fixing, cleaning, painting or just tidying things up. A dugnad takes place around the change in seasons. Every Norwegian has participated in a dugnad. It’s a great occasion to socialise with your neighbours, which – if you live in Norway – you will know is pretty rare. The added benefit is that a dugnad is usually accompanied by kaffe og kaker (coffee and cakes).

Forelsket – The indescribable euphoria you feel when you start to fall in love with someone.

Pålegg –  Anything that you can put on top of open-faced sandwiches, such as brun øst (Norwegian Cheese) cold cute, tomatoes, lettuce, spreads or other topping.

Utepils – Pronounced [OOH-ta-pilz], Utepils is a beautiful Norwegian compound word where ute means ‘out, outside, outdoors’ and pils means ‘lager’, so it literally translates to ‘outdoors lager’. Utepils is the act of enjoying a beer  while sitting outside on a sunny day – usually after surviving a long winter. Utepils is also the name of a famous brewing company.

Uffda! / Uff da!  – Is a versatile interjection and expression which basically means ‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that’. It expresses surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, relief, and can be used to express empathy. It means a combination of ‘Ouch for you!’ and ‘I’m so sorry that you hurt yourself’. Within Scandinavian-American culture, Uff da often translates to, ‘I am overwhelmed’. 

Yr – Yr can only be described as a very specific kind of rainfall with tiny, almost floating  raindrops (or snowflakes). It’s similar to drizzle or mist but one as one Norwegian puts it ‘It paints a picture not only in how it’s spelled but how it’s said, it’s more a sound than a word. Also when conjugated: ‘det yrer litt‘. I see foggy whispers of misty rain in the fjords.’ (Source). I think this is the most beautiful untranslatable word I’ve learned so far since learning Norwegian.

Learn Norwegian for travel! Get my free Norwegian travel phrase guide here.

Pascuense (Easter Island)

Tingo – Continuously borrowing items  from a neighbour’s house and not returning them, thereby gradually stealing everything from them one-by-one until there is nothing left.

Persian

Zhaghzhagh – Pronounced [zhaang-zhaah-gh], it’s the uncontrollable chattering of teeth, either due to the cold, or from intense rage.

Polish

Dożywocie – A contract between parents and children, guaranteeing lifetime care in exchange for real estate.

Formacja – Formacja is used in colloquial speech to describe a state of mind that is widespread across a particular generation or period of time. The closest English word would be ‘zeitgeist’.

Kilkanaście – This Polish word refers specifically to any number between 12 and 19 and is used in a similar way as the English ‘umpteen’ or ‘many’, but neither translation is quite correct. 

Kombinować – To make something or try to resolve a problem with the bare minimum and in an unusual way. This could be as a result of having limited access to resources or knowledge.

Radioukacz – Telegraphists who were part of the resistance movements on the Soviet side of the Iron Curtain.

Zalatwic – Zalatwic means ‘to get done’, but in a very specific way and is often either illegal or bends the rules. It involves using a bribe, political clout or connections, or simply personal charm to get the job done. This was especially common in Poland during the days of communism in Poland where it was probably impossible to live without ‘zalatwic’.

Portuguese

Saudade – Saudade is an untranslatable Portuguese term that describes a solemn and melancholic feeling of longing. Saudade can be a longing for something which does not and probably cannot exist or refer to the love that remains long after someone or something is gone and may not return – a nostalgic longing for a person or thing that was loved once, but is now lost. This feeling is a recurring theme in Portuguese and Brazilian literature. Brazil celebrates a day of Saudade every January.

Desenrascanço – Desenrascanço literally means ‘disentanglement’, a term used in Portugal to describe the act of ‘disentangling’ oneself from a difficult situation by using all available means to solve the problem. 

Cafuné – The act of tenderly running your fingers through someone’s hair in a loving way. 

Learn Portuguese for travel! Get my free Portuguese travel phrase guide here.

Romanian

Dor – A sad longing or yearning for someone.

Soare cu Dinti – When you look out the window and it looks lovely and sunny until you actually step outside. Soare cu Dinti describes a beautiful sunny, but very cold day.

Rukwangali (Namibia)

Hanyauku – Pronounced [ha-ahn-yoh-kuu], this Rukwangali word spoken by Namibians, refers to the act of tiptoeing across warm or hot sand.  

Russian

Listopad (листопа́дъ) – The falling of leaves.

Odnoliub (однолюб) – Someone that only has one love in their life or is only capable of a single person at a time.

Pochemuchka (почемучка) – Pochemuchka is a person, usually a child, who asks too many questions. Pronounced [POH-chay-MOO-chka[, it comes from the Russian word pocemu [POH-chay-MUH], which means ‘Why?.’ Pochemuchka was first used in a popular Soviet-era children’s book whose boy hero was given the nickname Alyosha Pochemuchka because he was never satisfied with the answers he got. Pochemuchka is a light-hearted put-down that might be expressed in English with a warning like ‘curiosity killed the cat’.

Razljubit (разлюбить) – Razljubit is the opposite feeling of the Norwegian forelsket when you first fall in love. It’s the feeling you have towards someone you were once in love with. When you see or think of them, you may feel a twinge of affection, but by now it’s totally platonic. That’s razljubit.

Toska (тоска) – Toska is the feeling of anguish, sadness, or melancholia, even though there’s no specific cause. Often spiritual in nature, this is a deep sadness that touches the soul.

Zapoi (Запой) – Zapoi describes being drunk for several days and waking up in an unexpected place that you don’t recognize.

Zloradstvovat (злорадствовать) – Zloradstvovat means to be devilishly happy’, in the evil way, when seeing someone’s misfortune, pain, or loss.

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Learning Russian? Check out these hilarious Russian idioms and expressions

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Samoan

Faamiti – Pronounced [fah-mih-tee], faamiti is a high-pitched noise made by sucking air through tightly-sealed lips in order to attract the attention of a pet or children.

Scottish

Sgrìob –  This Scottish Gaelic term describes the tingle of anticipation felt in the upper lip before drinking whisky.

Suilk – Pronounced [swilk], this Scottish word means to make an abnormal amount of noise whilst such as to swallow, gulp, or suck with a slobbering noise. Suilk is now used in English and even has English verb conjugations, ‘suilking‘ is the act, and a ‘suilker‘ is one who suilks.

Tartle – The moment where you hesitate when introducing someone because you’ve just forgotten their name. You’ve just tartled, so you say, ‘Pardon my tartle!’

Learn Scots for travel! Get my free Scots travel phrase guide here.

Serbian

Merak – This beautiful Serbian word refers to the pursuit of small pleasures everyday, which all adds up to a feeling of contentment, fulfilment and oneness with the larger purpose and the universe.

Slovenian

Vedriti – To shelter from the rain, either literally or metaphorically, such as when you’re in a bad mood and you’re waiting for the negative emotions to pass.

Spregledati – To simultaneously understand someone on a deeper level, whilst also overlooking it.

Spanish

Anteayer – This single word means ‘the day before yesterday’. Anteayer is made up of the Spanish word ante, meaning before or in front of, and ayer, meaning yesterday. In some parts of Latin America and rural Spain, antier is used instead. 

Chingada – Chingada is a vulgar term commonly used in colloquial Mexican Spanish that shouldn’t be thrown around lightly. It can either refer to a special kind of hellish place that’s far away, where you send anyone who irritates you, like when you say ‘go to Hell’, or can be used as a variation of the f-word. Chingada stems from the verb chingar which means to ruin, annihilate, screw or f**k. Like I said, be careful how you use it, if at all!

Desvelado – While the Spanish are known for their siestas, they also have a word which means the complete opposite. Desvelado literally means ‘awake’ and comes from the verb desvelar, which means ‘to reveal’ or ‘to keep awake’. It can also be translated into English as being wide awake, unable to sleep, or sleepless. 

Duende – The word duende has two distinct meanings. The term derives from ‘duen de casa‘ (master of the house), referring to a magical, mythical creature or spirit such as an elf, leprechaun, or even a goblin found in Spanish and Latin American folklore.  The second, and more interesting and beautiful definition, describes the heightened state of emotion, expression, and expression that a performer gives off that draws in the audience. Duende or tener duende (‘to have duende’) is a Spanish term that is traditionally connected with flamenco and other activities that evoke Spanish fiery passion, like bullfighting. In some parts of Spain, duende is used to describe someone who is charming or alluring.

Encandilar – The aftermath of seeing a sudden bright flash of light, often associated with seeing spots. Encandilar comes from the Spanish verb encandilarse, meaning ‘to be dazzled/blinded by’.

Estrenar – Estrenar means ‘first time’ or the beginning of something. It’s used to describe the first time you do, wear or use something for the first time. Don’t you just love that feeling?

Friolero – Friolero describes a person who is particularly susceptible and sensitive to cold weather, prone to easily feeling cold. A similar term also exists in Italian, freddoloso.

Madrugada – The term madrugada is both Spanish and Portuguese and means to get up early in the morning at twilight – the time between midnight and the crack of dawn.

Pena ajena – Ajeno/a generally means ‘someone else’s’ or ‘other people’s’. Literally, meaning ‘sorry for others’, pena ajena is the feeling of humiliation or embarrassment you get upon watching another person’s embarrassment. It’s so embarrassing that it makes you cringe. 

Sobremesa – Shared mealtimes are a very important part of Spanish culture, and the time spent after the meal just chatting and relaxing is very important. So important that they even have a word to describe it. Sobremesa literally means ‘over the table,’  is a Spanish expression that describes that wonderful period after the meal is finished but you continue sitting at the table chatting and enjoy each other’s company.

Tuerto – A one-eyed man, blind in one eye .

Tutear – To speak to someone you know well (usually friends and family) informally by addressing using the ‘tú‘ form instead of the more formal ‘usted‘. The term tutoyer is used in French to describe the same thing where the speaker uses the informal second-person pronoun tu rather than the formal vous.

Vacinlando – Vacilando is a beautiful Spanish word which describes the journey or experience of travelling, is more important than reaching the specific destination.

Learn Spanish for travel! Get my free European Spanish travel phrase guide here and my Latin American travel phrase guide here.

Swahili

Hakuna matata – In the Swahili language, Hakuna matata can be directly translated to ‘there are no troubles’. This phrase was made popular in the English-speaking world thanks to the 1994 Disney movie The Lion King. It can be translated to ‘no worries’ or ‘no dramas’ and means to avoid worrying about things outside of your control. If you’re a fan of the film, here are 20 beautiful African words in ‘The Lion King’ that will make you smile. 

Swedish

Badkruka – A person who feels somewhat hesitant or doesn’t like to swim in an open body of water due to its low temperature.

Blunda – Blunda is a Swedish word that means to close or cover your eyes to avoid seeing something or facing a hard truth. It’s similar to the English expression ‘turn a blind eye’, or can be the simple act of ignoring something.

Duktig – If a Swede says you’re duktig, that’s a huge compliment, because they are saying you’re skilled, capable, or hard-working. Duktig comes from the Swedish verb duga, which means ‘to be good for / to be acceptable for’. You can use duktig on its own, just as you would say ‘you’re such a hard-worker!’ or  ‘good girl/boy!’ to a child. Duktig refers to an action of some sort, whether that’s a job or a specific task.

Fika – Fika is a special kind of Swedish coffee break that could go on for hours and is more about socialising than drinking coffee. It’s all about gathering together to enjoy coffee, pastries, and conversation.

Gökotta – I adore this beautiful untranslatable Swedish word. Gökotta describes waking up at dawn, and going outside, just to hear birds chirping and singing.

Harkla – Harkla is a fantastic verb that means something very similar to ‘to clear one’s throat’. A perfect example would be the moment before you’re about to give a speech and make a half-cough so you can speak clearly.

Hinna – Hinna is a common Swedish verb that means ‘to be on time’ ‘to find the time’. 

Jobbig – Jobbig is an all-encompassing word that means troublesome or trying, annoying or difficult. It can be used to refer to people, things, events – almost anything that is difficult, annoying, or tedious.

Lagom – Lagom means ‘just the right amount’, it’s neither too much, nor too little, but juuuuuust right. Lagom is important in Swedish culture, where you don’t want to ‘stand out’ but having or doing too much.

Mångata – Mångata refers to a long, wavy, road-like reflection of the moon that often appears on water. It draws its origin from ‘måne‘ meaning moon, and ‘gata‘ meaning street or road. So, mångata literally means ‘moon road’.

Mormor / farmor / morfar / farfar – We could definitely use these genius Swedish compound words in English to describe each of our grandparents. Mormor, farmor, morfar, farfar literally means mothermother, fathermother, motherfather, fatherfather – respectively. That is, mormor is your mother’s mother, farmor is your father’s mother, morfar is your mother’s father and farfar is your father’s father. So, the question is, do you want to see more of mormor and less of farfar? So see farmor far less? And while we’re at it, barnbarn (literally, ‘childchild’) is the Swedish word for grandchild.

Mysa – Mysa is a Swedish verb for feeling content, cozy and enjoying oneself, especially at home. Not to be confused with the Danish, hygge which relates to any activity or part of your day, mysa refers specifically to being at home. 

Orka – This common verb in the Swedish language means ‘to have the energy’.

Resfeber – Resfeber refers to the mixture of anxiety and anticipation before a trip or journey begins. Resfeber is considered one of the most beautiful travel words.

Tidsoptimist  – Literally, a ‘time optimist’ this is a person who is constantly late because they think they have more time than they actually do.

Tretår – When two cups of coffee isn’t enough, you go for a second refill or ‘threefill’ of coffee. In Swedish, ‘tår’ means a cup of coffee and ‘patår’ is the refill of said coffee. A ‘tretår’ is therefore a second refill, or a threefill.

Vobba – Describes the very specific act of a parent taking a paid day off to take care of their sick child but still work, for example they check emails or take calls. Vobba is a mash-up of the two verbs att vabba (to take care of a child) and att jobba (to work).

Vabba – From vobba, comes vabba, a shortened version of vård av barn, which means ‘to be at home with the kids’.

Learn Swedish for travel! Get my free Swedish travel phrase guide here 

Tagalog

Gigil – Gigil is the overwhelming feeling that comes over you when you see something unbearably cute that you want to squeeze or pinch it. Kind of like when your grandma wanted to pinch your cheeks when you were a child.

Tampó – In Filipino culture, tampó is when a person withdraws his or her affection or cheerfulness towards someone who has hurt them. A mild case of ‘to hold a grudge’ where you’re someone between hurt and disappointed.  It usually occurs between people related to each other. For example, when a husband forgets to bring his wife flowers for their anniversary, she can have ‘tampó‘ against him.

Kilig – Kilig can be roughly translated as ‘romantic excitement’, it describes the happiness and giddiness you feel when something romantic takes place, either to you or someone else. It’s the feeling of butterflies in your stomach when you catch your crushes’ eye for the first time, witnessing a marriage proposal, or watching your favourite TV show couple. 

Tamil

Oodal – An exaggerated, fake anger that usually follows a quarrel between lovers.

Tshiluba (Congo)

Ilunga – Pronounced [ee-lun-ga], this is a person who is ready to forgive someone once, tolerate it a second time, but never a third time. Kind of like, three strikes and you’re out!

Tulu (Indian)

Karelu – The mark left on the skin from wearing something tight, such as jeans, socks, or a bra.

Turkish

Ciğerpare – This beautiful word literally has Persian origins and literally means ‘liver part’. It refers to someone that you love as much as your own body. Lovers or friends may call each other ciğerparem, meaning ‘my liver part.’

Urdu

Goya – This Urdu word refers to a feeling of wonder and disbelief that accompanies a particularly realistic fantasy. The suspension of disbelief makes it seem so real that it temporarily becomes reality. This is usually associated with good storytelling.

Wagiman

Murr-ma – This beautiful word comes from Wagiman, an almost extinct Australian Aboriginal language spoken in Australia’s Northern Territory. It describes feeling around in water with your feet to find something.

Welsh

Glas wen – The literal translation is ‘blue smile’, and is used to describe a mocking sarcastic smile.

Hiraeth – Pronounced [here-eyeth] (roll the ‘r’), this beautiful Welsh word is much like the Portuguese saudade mentioned earlier or the Romanian dor,  it conveys a feeling of homesickness, sense of regret, along with a general sadness over the lost or departed. This is a longing for one’s homeland, or even a romanticized past, with a yearning for it to come back.

Yaghan 

Mamihlapinatapei – The word mamihlapinatapai (sometimes also spelled mamihlapinatapei) comes from the Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego in Southern Argentina. Mamihlapinatapai is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the ‘most succinct word’ and is considered extremely difficult to translate. Mamihlapinatapai is a meaningful, but wordless exchange between two people, who both desire to initiate something but are hesitant to act on it. It also can refer to a private but non-verbal exchange shared by two people, one where each knows that the other understands and agrees what is being expressed. 

Yiddish

Shlimazl (שלימזל) – A chronically unlucky, usually inept, clumsy person.

Trepverter – Literally, ‘staircase words’, trepverter is a witty comeback you think of only after it’s too late. 

Luftmensch (לופֿטמענטש‎) – Luftmensch is used to refer a person with their head in the clouds. They are more concerned with airy intellectual pursuits than practical matters like earning an income. From the Yiddish לופֿט‎ (luft, ‘air’) and מענטש‎ (mentsh, ‘man’).

Farpotshket – Pronounced [fahr-POTS-SKEHT], farpotshket is when you or someone you trust tries to fix something but only ends up making things worse, causing irreparable damage. All you can do is shrug, knowing that you should’ve known better. Farpotshket also has an associated verb – potshky (POTs-ski), which means ‘to fiddle with something in a well-meaning and purposeful way, but with a complete lack of competence.’

Chutzpah – Is an untranslatable Yiddish word for adopting a ‘don’t-take-no-for-an-answer’ attitude where you’ll build up the guts to do something ballsy.

Zulu

Ubuntu – The act of being kind to others because of one’s common humanity. Ubuntu is frequently translated as ‘I am because we are,’ or ‘humanity towards others’. 

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Over to you!

Which one of these words in your favourite? Was it the Malay, pisan zapra – the time it takes to eat a banana or the Portuguese cafuné – the act of tenderly running your fingers through someone’s hair. Share your favourites in the comments.

Can you think of any other ‘untranslatable’ words? Have you ever come across words and phrases that could not be translated into your native language? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add them to the list!

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Have you ever wanted to describe a feeling or phenomenon, but been at a loss at to what word to use? 

All too often we can get stuck in a rut using the same words over and over, and there are even some words missing from the English language that we desperately need. By failing to make good use of the wide vocabulary available to us, we miss out on the communicative impact of the most beautiful words that different global languages have to offer to us.

To give you some inspiration, we’ve compiled a list of some unusual words with beautiful meanings – do any of these words fit the bill for something you have tried to describe?

Serendipity

Noun: English [Ser-en-dip-i-tee]

One of the most beautiful words in the English language, and one that is very rarely used is ‘serendipity’.

You may have heard this word before, but do you know what it means?

The word is used to describe when you find something good without looking for it.

Eudaimonia

Noun: Greek [U-day-mo-nay-a]

You know that happy, peaceful feeling when you’re away on holiday, travelling the world?

There’s a word for that.

‘Eudaimonia’ is a Greek word which describes the contented state you feel when you travel. Your horizons have been opened and you feel tranquil.

Sonder

Noun: English [Saun-der]

When you’re sitting on the bus or in a waiting room, people-watching, you might very well have experienced ‘sonder.’

This is when you have a realisation that the random people around you are also living vivid and complex lives.

Everyone around you has thoughts and feelings, memories and experiences, likes and dislikes, and relationships that are not instantly obvious to you. ‘Sonder’ is when this realisation actually hits you.

Querencia

Adjective: Spanish [Kwi-ren-cha]

This word describes a place where you feel safe and at home.

So, wherever it is, whether it’s snuggled up in your duvet or hanging out a friend’s house, if you feel safe and at home there, you can use the word ‘querencia’ to describe it.

Retrouvailles

Noun: French [Reh-true-vay]

Maybe you’ve been away on a business trip. Or perhaps you’ve moved away from home and you’re visiting your parents again after several months. You probably have had a strong sense of joy and relief when you’ve seen your loved ones again.

‘Retrouvailles’ describes that feeling of happiness you experience when you are reunited with someone you are close with after a considerable time apart.

Mudita

Noun: Sanskrit [Moo-dee-ta]

Have you ever felt happiness purely because someone else is happy? When your friends and family get married, win a competition, or announce they’re expecting a baby, you’ve probably felt this way.

Coming from the ancient language of Sanskrit comes ‘mudita’, which means taking delight in the happiness of other people.

Komorebi

Noun: Japanese [Ko-mo-ray-bee]

The next on our list of most beautiful words hails from Japan.

‘Komorebi’ is used to describe when sunlight filters through the gaps between trees.

Next time you’re out in the wilderness and can see streaks of sunlight peeking through the branches, you’ll remember this beautiful word and be able to appreciate the beauty of the scene even more.

Meraki

Verb: Greek [May-ra-kee]

Great works of art or timeless, emotional pieces of music are imbued with the passion or love of the individual who created them.

The Greek word ‘meraki’ describes the action of leaving a piece of yourself in your work. You carry out the piece of work with soul and creativity, and it is reflected when people stand back to appreciate the work.

Ubuntu

Noun: Nguni, Southern Africa [Oo-boon-too]

The final word on our compilation of most beautiful words is ‘ubuntu.

This is the belief that your actions toward others, showing kindness and compassion, is what defines you.

Hygge

Noun: Danish [Hou-geh]

Cosy blankets. Warming candles. Relaxing with friends. All your worries melting away. These are all considered ‘hygge’.

‘Hygge’ is when you take pleasure from and are able to appreciate gentle and soothing things. It’s being surrounded by things that make you feel cosy and comfortable, which then engender feelings of contentment.

Expand Your Vocabulary!

We’re unsure if any of these words are going to fall into mainstream use (neologism), but we feel that chucking them into everyday use can be a little quirky and then you can impress everyone with how beautiful the meaning is.

Global Language Services are passionate about the power of communication and ensuring that you can effectively communicate to others, no matter what your mother tongue is.

Enhancing your vocabulary with words like these will boost your ability to communicate your thoughts and feelings to others.

Whilst it’s easy to learn and employ these unusual words with beautiful meanings, you might need greater assistance communicating with others in different situations.

Global Language Services offer interpreting and translation services, as well as language tuition that may be of use to you. Contact us to see what we can do for you.

Let us know the most beautiful English words which we probably use such words quite often in our routine life.

To begin with: English has a lot to offer. It all depends on what you like. As the saying goes, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. That said English is full of beautiful words.

Now how to express beauty: Beauty can be defined as, the quality or the combination of the qualities in a person or thing that is pleasing to the senses and which uplifts the mind or spirit or something particularly beautiful, ornate, or of the highest quality.

Based on above true meaning of beauty, we will express each word that carries the most beautiful meaning and will include words that fulfill at least one of the following most important criteria:

• Words that look beautiful in writing
• Words that sound beautiful
• Words that have a beautiful meaning

The following words are generally considered to be visually and aesthetically-pleasing:

• Aurora – The dawn.
• Axiom – A statement that is generally believed to be true.
• Becoming – Complementary to one’s appearance; the act of changing to a different state of being.
• Blossom – To produce flowers; one or more flowers.
• Cherish – To appreciate strongly.
• Delicacy – A rare or expensive food.
• Elixir – A potion.
• Galactic – Related to a galaxy.
• Hope – Wishing for a particular outcome; the act of expecting a positive outcome.
• Labyrinth – A maze.
• Murder – To kill another person; the act of killing someone.
• Angst – A strong feeling of anxiety about one’s life or the state of the world.
• Brood – A family of young animals; to think about something upsetting or unfavorable.
• Nemesis – An enemy.
• Oblivion – The state of being unaware of one’s surroundings. 
• Paradox – A seemingly logical proposition that leads to an absurd or contradictory conclusion.
• Philosophy – The study of the underlying nature of things.
• Solitude – the state of being alone.
• Tryst – A secretive love affair.
• Woebegone – Having the appearance of sadness or misery.

 let’s take a look at beautiful English words to hear and pronounce:

• Bungalow – A small, one-story house.
• Conflate – To combine two or more concepts into one.
• Demure – Reserved or modest.
• Effervescence – Bubbles coming from a liquid.
• Eloquence – Adept or persuasive in speech or writing.
• Epiphany – A sudden realization.
• Ephemeral – Brief or lasting for a very short time.
• Esoteric – Meant to be understood by people with specialized knowledge.
• Ethereal – Light or delicate to the point of being unreal.
• Evocative – Bringing about strong thoughts or images.
• Imbue – To bring about a certain feeling or quality.
• Incendiary – Able to cause fire or conflict.
• Leisure – Free time.
• Luminescence – Light from a source that has not been heated.
• Pinnacle – The peak or top.
• Plethora – A large quantity.
• Ripple – A group of small waves in a liquid.
• Serendipity – An unexpected yet beneficial occurrence.
• Silhouette –The dark outline or shadow of something against a light background.
• Vestigial – Related to the small remains of something that was once much larger.
• Wherewithal – The resources needed to complete a particular task.

let’s take a look at some of the best English words with beautiful meanings:

• Affection – The feeling of liking something or someone.
• Charm – The quality of arousing joy or admiration; to make someone feel admiration.
• Comfort  – A physical or mental state that is free of pain or worry.
• Compassion – Sympathy for the suffering of others.
• Elegance – Graceful and stylish.
• Equanimity – Mental calmness in the face of difficulties.
• Eudaimonia – General happiness and well-being.
• Euphoria – A state of strong mental or physical pleasure.
• Flourish – To succeed or thrive; an extravagant gesture.
• Glamour – An attractive or exciting quality.
• Gorgeous – Extremely beautiful.
• Happiness – The state of being happy or content.
• Idyllic – Perfect, especially relating to a particular setting (time or place).
• Love – To feel strong affection; the act of feeling strong affection.
• Peace – The absence of war or conflict.
• Pristine – Perfect in appearance or free of any blemishes.
• Quintessential – The perfect example or representation of something.
• Sumptuous – Extravagant and expensive in appearance.
• Tranquility – Peacefulness.
• Glory – Honor achieved for one’s actions.
• Ambitious – Possessing a strong desire to succeed.
• Bright – Possessing intelligence and mental dexterity.
• Considerate – Careful to not inconvenience others.
• Courageous – Not showing fear in the face of danger.
• Diligent – Showing care in one’s duties.
• Helpful – Willing to help others.
• Loyal – Showing unwavering support.
• Resourceful – Able to quickly solve problems.
• Sensible – Practical; level-headed.
• Witty – Charming and funny.

Finally we have a list of commonly used beautiful words for advanced English learners:

1. Ailurophile – person who loves cats
2. Bucolic – pleasant aspects of a rural lifestyle
3. Bungalow – single story home with a large porch
4. Conflate – combining or fusing things together
5. Dalliance – a casual involvement or romance
6. Elixir – medicinal potion one would ingest
7. Chatoyant – light reflecting through a cut gemstone
8. Cynosure – one who is the focus of admiration; the center of attention
9. Defervescence – returning to normal body temperature after having a fever
10. Denouement – end of a story, during which things are wrapped up/revealed
11. Efflorescence – what occurs after a time of reflection, study or development; flowering, blossoming
12. Embrocation – soothing potion rubbed on the body
13. Ephemeral – short-lived, lasting only for a short period of time
14. Moiety – a part or portion of something
15. Offing – the part of the sea that cannot be viewed from land; deep sea beyond the horizon
16. Palimpsest – something that has been altered, with traces of the original remaining
17. Panegyric – speech or document written to praise a person
18. Panoply – an impressive display or collection
19. Penumbra – an area of partial shadow in between fully shadowed areas
20. Peripatetic – frequently traveling or relocating from one place to another
21. Petrichor – pleasant smell after the first rain following a dry spell
22. Propinquity – being near or close to something
23. Quintessential – perfect or ideal illustration or example
24. Redolent – reminder of something else
25. Riparian – adjacent to a stream or river
26. Sempiternal – enduring, lasting forever
27. Serendipity – a positive occurrence that takes place by chance
28. Ulotrichous – curly hair with a course or woolly texture
29. Vestigial – remnant of something or smaller version of something that was once full size
30. Wherewithal – strength, tenacity

Keep exploring EnglishBix to learn more words to make your writing beautiful.

Quick Links

1. English Words for Beautiful Eyes
2. English Words for Beautiful Smile