The 25 of the Hardest English Words to Spell

by Lana at TranscriptionServices.com

WordMeaning
antediluvian Of or relating to the period before the flood described in the Bible.
appoggiatura An embellishing note or tone preceding an essential melodic note or tone and usually written as a note of smaller size.
asceticism The practice of avoiding indulgences and temptations, usually for religious reasons.
autochthonous Found in a locality in which it originates; indigenous.
chiaroscurist An artist who specializes in ‘chiaroscuro,’ which focuses on ‘the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade.’
crustaceology The study of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp.
cymotrichous Having wavy hair.
elucubrate To produce (especially literary work) by long and intensive effort.
esquamulose The opposite of ‘squamulose,’ which means, ‘furnished or covered with tiny scales.’
eudaemonic Pertaining or conducive to happiness.
euonym An appropriate name for a person, place, or thing.
guetapens A trap or a snare.
hydrophyte An aquatic plant, one that grows only on or in water.
insouciant Free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant.
interlocutory Given during the course of a legal action.
Laodicean Lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics.
logorrhea Pathologically incoherent, repetitious speech.
macerate To soften (usually food) by soaking in liquid.
odontalgia Pain in a tooth; toothache.
prospicience The act of looking forward; foresight.
scherenschnitte The art of cutting paper into decorative designs.
smaragdine Of or relating to emeralds; emerald-green in color.
soubrette A high female vocal range or an actress in an opera with such a vocal range.
succedaneum A substitute.
Ursprache An extinct language reconstructed using evidence from later languages-for example, Proto-Germanic, the hypothetical ancestor of the Germanic languages.

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