You must’ve thought what makes an English word “difficult”? Is it a baffling spelling, tricky pronunciation or a subtle, shifting meaning that changes with the context? If yes, then you will find numerous difficult words in English. This language is full of these types of charmingly infuriating examples that tangled your tongue, and the word comes out wrong. Instead of running from them, conquering them can actually help you become a confident English speaker. So get ready to expand your vocabulary as we are going to dive into the world of those difficult English words with meaning and pronunciation through this blog. So buckle up and get ready to explore.
Table of Contents
Whether you are a student preparing for any exam or a lifelong learner, a strong vocabulary can be an irreplaceable asset for you. English is a language rich with hard vocabulary words that are difficult to understand, but in depth, their meaning is related to every action. Thus, this A to Z guide takes you on a journey through some of the most difficult words used in daily conversation, defining their meaning and offering their context. You will also explore its pronunciation along with difficult words in English from the A to Z alphabet letters. So let’s check them out.
|
Difficult Words in English |
Pronunciation |
Meanings |
|
A | ||
|
Amorphous |
Uh-MOR-fuhs |
Having no definite form, shape or structure |
|
Assiduous |
Uh-SID-yoo-us |
Work hard and take great care, or make persistent effort, so that everything is done well |
|
Archetypal |
Ark-i-TAHY-puhl |
An original pattern on which other people live or become like. |
|
Acumen |
AK-yuh-mun |
A skill to make quick decisions or good judgment |
|
Arbitrary |
Ar-bit-ruh-ree |
Based on or subject to any person's preference and discretion. |
|
B | ||
|
Bane |
Buh·nay |
Something causes misery, trouble or makes someone unhappy |
|
Bereft |
Beuh-reft |
Lacking or deprived of something |
|
Balatron |
Bal-uh-tron, |
One who speaks a lot of nonsense and is known for self-indulgence |
|
Bombilate |
BOM-bi-layt |
To make a buzzing sound |
|
Beseech |
Buh-seech |
Ask someone to do something frequently and urgently |
|
C | ||
|
Cajole |
Kuh-JOHL |
To persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery |
|
Chauvinist |
SHOH"-vuh-nist |
A person with a prejudiced belief in their own company |
|
Countenance |
Kown-tuh-nuhns |
A facial expression of someone |
|
Congruity |
Kuhn-GROO-it-ee |
The quality of agreeing with someone or being suitable |
|
Circumvent |
Sur-kuhm-VENT |
To find a clever or smart way of avoiding a difficulty or a rule, or force one to give up |
|
D | ||
|
Demagogue |
DEM-uh-gog |
A leader who seeks support by appealing to the desire or popular passion |
|
Diaphanous |
dye-AFF-uh-nus |
Something so thin to transmit light or delicate |
|
Duress |
dyoo·res |
Compulsory threat or force |
|
Diabolical |
dee-uh-BOL-i-kul |
Disgracefully bad or unpleasant, characteristic of the devil |
|
Discrepancy |
dih-SKREP-uhn-see |
A lack of similarity among two or more facts |
|
E | ||
|
Ebullient |
i-BUL-ee-uhnt |
Joyously uncontrolled or full of energy or confidence |
|
Egregious |
uh·gree·juhs |
Noticeably and outrageously bad or reprehensible |
|
Embezzlement |
im-BEZ-uhl-muhnt |
The fake appropriation of funds or property |
|
Emollient |
"ih-MOL-ee-unt" |
A preparation or substance with a soothing effect when applied to the skin |
|
Evanescent |
ih-van-ESS-unt |
Short-lived; tending to disappear or vanish |
|
F | ||
|
Fatuous |
FACH-uh-wuhs |
Devoid of intelligence or silly and pointless. |
|
Forbearance |
fawr-BAIR-uhns |
Good-natured tolerance of incompetence or delay |
|
Fractious |
FRAK-shus |
Easily annoyed or irritated |
|
Fallacious |
fuh-lay-shuhs |
Containing or based on incorrect reasoning |
|
Fidelity |
fi-DEL-uh-tee |
Faithfulness to a person |
|
G | ||
|
Garrulous |
ga-ruh-luhs |
Full of inconsequential conversation, talking a lot, mostly about insignificant things |
|
Grandiloquent |
gran-DIL-uh-kwuhnt |
Lofty in style, using long, complex or formal words to amaze people |
|
Gourmand |
gur-MAHND |
A person who is devoted to drinking and eating to excess |
|
Gambit |
GAM-bit |
Typically, one involving a degree of risk, which is calculated to gain an advantage |
|
Gallant |
guh-LANT |
A brave person |
|
H | ||
|
Harbinger |
HAR-bin-jer |
A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another |
|
Hegemony |
"he-GEM-uh-nee" |
Dominance or leadership, especially by one country or social group over others |
|
Hapless |
hap·luhs |
Unfortunate and deserving pity |
|
Haughty |
Haughty |
Arrogantly disdainful and superior |
|
Havoc |
HAV-uhk |
Extensive destruction or a state in which there is a lot of injury, damage or confusion |
|
I | ||
|
Idiosyncracy |
id-ee-uh-SIN-kruh-see |
A manner of behaviour or way of thought that is strange to an individual |
|
Imbibe |
im-BYB |
Integrate some ideas or knowledge |
|
Impecunious |
im-puh-KYOO-nee-uhss |
Not having sufficient money to pay for necessities |
|
Interlocutor |
in-tuh-law-kyoo-tuh |
A person who takes part in a conversation |
|
Inexorable |
in-EX-uh-ruh-bull |
Impossible to prevent, resist, or stop someone |
|
J | ||
|
Jargon |
jar-gun |
Special words or expressions that are used by a particular group and are difficult for others to understand |
|
Juxtapose |
JUK-stuh-POHZ |
Place or deal with close together for a contrasting effect |
|
Juncture |
JUNK-cher |
A particular point in events or time |
|
Jovial |
joh-vee-uhl |
Someone who is cheerful and friendly |
|
Juvenescence |
JOO-vuh-NES-uhns |
The state of being youthful |
|
K | ||
|
Kalopsia |
ka-LOP-see-uh |
The state in which everyone and everything looks beautiful |
|
Kleptomania |
klep-tuh-MAY-nee-uh |
A recurrent impulse to steal, especially without regard for need or profit |
|
Knell |
nell |
The sound of a bell rang slowly to announce a death |
|
Kudos |
KYOO-doss |
Honour and praise received for an achievement |
|
Knight |
nite |
A man who served his sovereign or noble as a mounted soldier in armour |
|
L | ||
|
Labyrinth |
LAB-uh-rinth |
A complex, irregular network of channels or paths in which it is challenging to find one’s way or a maze. |
|
Lampoon |
lam-poon |
Publicly criticise by using mockery, sarcasm, or irony. |
|
Legerdemain |
LEJ-er-duh-main |
Skilful use of one's hands when performing magic tricks. |
|
Linchpin |
LINCH-pin |
A central unified source of stability and support. |
|
Lacuna |
luh-KYOO-nuh |
An unfilled space or interval; a gap, particularly in any other piece of writing or book. |
|
M | ||
|
Macrocosm |
mak-roh-koz-uhm |
The whole of a multifaceted structure that contains smaller parts, for example, the universe |
|
Mawkish |
MAWK-ish |
A person who is very emotional or sentimental |
|
Mores |
MOR-ays |
The conventions exemplifying the important values of a group |
|
Maelstrom |
MAY-l-strom |
An influential spherical current of water |
|
Malapropism |
MAL-uh-prah-piz-uhm |
The incorrect use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one |
|
N | ||
|
Narcissist |
NAR-suh-sist |
An individual who has an extreme interest in or admiration for themselves |
|
Neophyte |
NEE-uh-fyt |
A person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief |
|
Nomenclature |
no-men-kley-cher |
The choosing or devising of names for things, particularly in a science or other program |
|
Neophyte |
NEE-uh-fyt" |
A candidate with no experience with an activity or an individual who is new to a subject, role or any activity. |
|
Nullify |
NUL-uh-fy. |
To make it ineffective, invalid, or of no consequence, either legally or non-legally |
|
O | ||
|
Omen |
oh·muhn |
An event regarded as a portent of good or evil, or a sign of something that will happen in the future |
|
Oblivion |
uh-BLIV-ee-uhn |
The state of being unconscious or unaware of what is occurring. |
|
Obstreperous |
uhb-STREP-uh-ruhs |
Noisily and obstinately disobedient, or difficult to control. |
|
Ostensible |
oss-TEN-suh-buhl |
Appearing as such, but not necessarily |
|
Ostracism |
OSS-truh-siz-uhm |
The act of eliminating someone from society by general accord |
|
P | ||
|
Pejorative |
puh-JOR-uh-tiv |
Expressing condemnation or criticism |
|
Pertinacious |
per-tih-NAY-shus |
Holding resolutely to an opinion or a course of action. Or obstinately unyielding |
|
Philanthropic |
fill-an-THROP-ik |
The attempt to help others, particularly those in need, over substantial giving of money, time, or effort |
|
Preponderance |
pru-PON-duh-ruhns |
One type of thing or people in a group, there are more of them than others or exceeding in heaviness |
|
Punctilious |
punk-TIL-ee-us |
Marked by accurate agreement with details |
|
Q | ||
|
Quaint |
kwaynt |
Pleasingly antiquated old-fashioned |
|
Quixotic |
kwiks-OTT-ick" |
Not aware of practical matters |
|
Quandary |
KWON-duh-ree |
Situation of uncertainty in an option among unfavourable choices |
|
Quibble |
KWIB-uhl |
A small objection or disapproval about a matter of slight value |
|
Quintessence |
kwin-TES-uhns |
The most precise or typical instance of a quality or class |
|
R | ||
|
Reconnaissance |
reh-KON-uh-suns |
Check out a situation or an area before taking any action. Typically used in the military |
|
Rejuvenate |
ree-JOO-vuh-nayt |
To make someone feel young and energetic |
|
Recalcitrant |
ruh-KAL-suh-truhnt |
Stubbornly resistant/ refuse to follow any rules/ not easy to control. |
|
Rescind |
ri-SIND |
Officially cancel any law or agreement, making it no longer valid. |
|
Remorse |
ri-MAWRSS |
Regretting making wrong commitments |
|
S | ||
|
Sagacious |
suh-GAY-shuhs |
Having or expressing good judgement and understanding, or keen mental discernment |
|
Sanctimonious |
sank-tuh-MOH-nee-us |
Someone who acts better and has more morals than others, or hypocritically pious |
|
Scurrilous |
skuh-ruh-luhs |
Making or spreading shocking or wrong claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation |
|
Swarthy |
SWOR-thee |
Someone who has dark skin colour |
|
Serendipity |
ser-en-dip-i-ty |
The fact of finding something interesting or valuable by accident, or something fortunate or unexpected discovered |
|
T | ||
|
Truculent |
TRUK-yuh-luhnt |
Aggressive or quick to oppose or argue |
|
Travesty |
TRAV-uh-stee |
Something that does not have those qualities that it should have, in a way that is often offensive or shocking. |
|
Toady |
toh-dee |
A person who tries to make someone impress to gain an advantage. |
|
Tantamount |
tan-tuh-mount |
Being almost similar to or having the same effect as something. |
|
Trite |
tryt |
Repeated too often or a thing that is expressed too many times. |
|
U | ||
|
Ubiquitous |
yoo-BIK-wih-tuhs |
Being present everywhere at the one time |
|
Utilitarian |
yoo-til-uh-tair-ee-uhn |
Designed to be useful and practical rather than attractive |
|
Upbraid |
uhp-brayd |
Finding fault with someone or expressing criticism |
|
Upheaval |
up-HEE-vuhl |
A sudden disruption or change to someone |
|
Utopian |
yoo-TOH-pee-un |
A state in which everything seems perfect: idealistic |
|
V | ||
|
Vengeance |
VEN-juhns |
Punishment, retribution, or inflicted excated for a wrong thing or injury. |
|
Valour |
VAL-er |
Having great courage or showing bravery in the face of danger |
|
Vicissitude |
vi-SIS-i-tood |
A variation in fortune or circumstances in an individual's life |
|
Vilify |
VIL-uh-fye |
Spreading or writing negative information about something or someone to other people to create a bad opinion of them. |
|
Vitriolic |
vit-ree-OL-ic |
Full of anger and hatred |
|
W | ||
|
Wayfarer |
WAY-fair-er |
A person who travels to places on foot. |
|
Whimsical |
WIM-zi-kuhl |
Playful, fanciful and quaint |
|
Wrangle |
RAN-guhl |
to argue with someone in a noisy or angry way |
|
Winsome |
WIN-suhm |
Charming or appealing in a pleasing way |
|
Wanton |
WAHN-tn" |
A immoral perosn |
|
X | ||
|
Xenon |
ZEN-on |
A gas that is used mostly in electric lamps |
|
Xenophobia |
zen-uh-FOH-bee-uh |
A hatred or fear of foreign people and their culture. |
|
Xylography |
zy-LOG-ruh-fee |
The art or skill of engraving on wood. |
|
Xerophile |
ZEER-uh-fighl |
A plant adapted that grow in low water availability |
|
Xeric |
ZEER-ik |
Being deficient in or a thing containing little moisture. |
|
Y | ||
|
Yatter |
YAT-er |
Endless talks or chattering |
|
Yank |
yang-k |
To pull something quickly, suddenly, or with a jerk |
|
Yoke |
yohk |
A wooden bar used to tie across the neck of an animal to pull heavy loads |
|
Yonder |
Yawn-der |
At some distance |
|
Yelp |
Yelp |
To cry suddenly with pain |
|
Z | ||
|
Zephyr |
ZEF-er |
A soft, gentle wind |
|
Zeal |
zeel |
Great enthusiasm or energy |
|
Zealous |
zeh-luhs |
Same as zeal |
|
Zenith |
ZEE-nith |
The highest point of something |
|
Zealot |
zeh-uht |
A person who has a strong belief, especially in politics and religion |
In a group of people, when your tongue gets twisted and you speak the wrong word, it can feel embarrassing. It is those daily use English words that become slippery term that keeps you on linguistic toes. This can be overcome by doing regular practice using strategies and tips that can help you learn tricky English words. Here are some powerful tips and tricks you must use to learn difficult words in English to improve your vocabulary.
1. Use the “write it down” method, as writing down the word along with the sentences can help you recall the word.
2. Use mnemonic devices, such as linking a difficult word to a memorable thing, to create a strong memory link.
3. Create a flashcard for new words, and you can add sentences behind it for more context and quick recall.
4. Avoid memorising the words in isolation, rather than learn them as part of sentences
5. Read books, newspapers, or other materials that consist of difficult words in English to improve vocabulary.
6. Keep a book with you to jot down the words and look them up later, just like keeping a vocabulary journal
7. Don’t just learn words, use them in your daily conversation, which helps to improve the pronunciation as well.
8. Engage in games like online vocabulary puzzles and Scrabble.
9. Lastly, practice is the key to improving vocabulary, so practice regularly.
To wrap up, we have successfully addressed almost all the difficult words in English from A to Z with their meaning and pronunciation. It can be a hectic and stimulating task for an individual to learn English and new vocabulary words, and also use them in every conversation. But the result is being awarded as one becomes a proficient English speaker and has a robust vocabulary journal. Thus, if you want to learn more Complex English Words that can improve your pronunciation skills, then connect with our expert at Gradding.com. They will help you improve your fluency skills by providing a list of difficult English words.
1. Where are difficult English words frequently used in exams or school tests?
Difficult English words are frequently used in various exams and school tests, such as reading comprehension passages, vocabulary sections, grammar questions, and essay writing. Also, it is used in competitive exams like the IELTS and SAT, and many more standardised tests, and in general assessments at schools. This helps to advance the language skills and improve the vocabulary of the candidates.
2. What are the shortest and longest Difficult Words in English?
The shortest difficult word in English is “Euouae” (you-oo-ee), which is a musical mnemonic used in Georgian chant. This letter is entirely of vowels and is considered the most difficult short English word to pronounce. On the other hand, “ Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis” is the largest difficult English word of 45 letters. It refers to a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust. Also, it is very challenging to pronounce this word and is considered the longest word found in the standard English dictionary.
3. What are some difficult words to spell with silent letters?
There are many difficult English words to spell with silent letters, such as Chthonic, Apropos, Gnaw, Faux, Mnemonic, Subtle, and Phlegm.
4. What Are the 10 Most Commonly Misused Words?
5. What Is the Rarest Word Used?
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Meaning: A type of lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust, often found in mines.
Why it's rare: Although it's one of the longest words in the dictionary, it's not commonly used outside medical contexts.
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