The English language is enriched with more than a million words. There are numerous difficult words in English vocabulary. Learning an approximate count of 3000 words is enough for an individual to actively participate in an everyday English conversation. A rich vocabulary eases the trouble of expression, and it helps individuals improve their communication skills. The following article on difficult words in English will help you to build a wide and varied vocabulary.
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letters ‘A’ to ‘Z’
Are you thinking of a solution to enrich your English vocabulary? Practising difficult English words and using them frequently will help you. Use the comprehensive list of words given below to learn more hard words and improve your vocabulary.
List of Difficult Words in English:
The following list of words will help you improve your reading comprehension, language knowledge, communication skills, and expression of ideas to others. Always keep in mind that everything is hard until it’s made easy.
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘A’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Abandon |
cease to support or look after someone |
| Abolish |
formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution) |
| Abscond |
leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action such as theft |
| Accelerate |
(of a vehicle or other physical object) begin to move more quickly |
| Accretion |
the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter |
| Acumen |
the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain |
| Adamant |
refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind |
| Adverse |
preventing success or development; harmful; unfavourable |
| Advocate |
a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy |
| Affluent |
- having a great deal of money; wealthy
- (of water) flowing freely or in great quantity
|
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘B’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Backbite |
talk maliciously about someone who is not present |
| Baffle |
totally bewilder or perplex |
| Ballad |
a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas |
| Banish |
send (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment |
| Barbaric |
savagely cruel; exceedingly brutal |
| Barren |
too poor to produce much or any vegetation |
| Bedlam |
a scene of uproar and confusion |
| Benefactor |
a person who gives money or other help to a person or cause |
| Beseech |
ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘C’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Cajole |
persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery |
| Charisma |
compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others |
| Chasm |
a deep crack or opening in the earth, rock, or another surface |
| Chauvinist |
a person with a prejudiced belief in their own superiority |
| Cliche |
a phrase or opinion that is overused |
| Contagion |
the communication of disease from one person to another by close contact |
| Countenance |
a person’s face or facial expression |
| Cringe |
have a feeling of awkwardness or embarrassment |
| Cue |
a signal for action |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘D’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Dauntless |
showing fearlessness and determination |
| Delicacy |
fineness or intricacy of texture or structure |
| Delicate |
very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality |
| Depict |
show or represent by a drawing, painting, or other art form |
| Desolate |
feeling or showing misery, unhappiness, or loneliness |
| Destitute |
without the basic necessities of life |
| Devote |
give all or a large part of one’s time or resources to (a person, activity, or cause) |
| Diabolical |
disgracefully bad or unpleasant, characteristic of the Devil |
| Discrepancy |
a lack of similarity between two or more facts |
| Dismantle |
take (a machine or structure) to pieces |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘E’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Edifice |
a building, especially a large, imposing one |
| Elegy |
a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead |
| Endeavour |
try hard to do or achieve something |
| Endure |
suffer patiently |
| Enigma |
a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand |
| Enslave |
make (someone) a slave |
| Epitaph |
a phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone |
| Extinction |
the process of a particular thing ceasing to exist |
| Extricate |
free (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘F’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Fasten |
close up securely |
| Fathom |
understand something after a lot of thought |
| Fete |
a celebration or festival |
| Fidelity |
faithfulness to a person |
| Flick |
a sudden sharp movement |
| Flip |
turn over with a sudden quick movement |
| Foresight |
the ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future. |
| Fragile |
easily broken or damaged |
| Franchise |
an authorization granted by a government or company to an individual or group enabling them to carry out specified commercial activities |
| Futile |
incapable of producing any useful result |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘G’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Gale |
a very strong wind |
| Gallant |
brave |
| Gambit |
a device, action, or opening remark, typically one entailing a degree of risk, that is calculated to gain an advantage |
| Gamble |
play games of chance for money; bet |
| Garment |
an item of clothing |
| Gastronomy |
the practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food |
| Gaze |
a steady intent look |
| Genial |
friendly and cheerful |
| Genre |
a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterised by similarities in form, style, or subject matter |
| Gibberish |
meaningless speech or writing, nonsense |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘H’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Habitual |
done or doing constantly or as a habit |
| Hail |
call out to (someone) to attract attention |
| Harbinger |
a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another |
| Haughty |
arrogantly superior and disdainful |
| Havoc |
widespread destruction |
| Heathen |
a follower of a polytheistic religion |
| Hegemony |
leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others |
| Hinder |
create difficulties for (someone or something), resulting in delay or obstruction |
| Hostile |
unfriendly; antagonistic |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘I’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Idiosyncracy |
a mode of behaviour or way of thought peculiar to an individual |
| Idle |
lazy, inactive |
| Imbibe |
assimilate some ideas or knowledge |
| Imperative |
of vital importance; crucial |
| Impetus |
the force or energy with which a body moves |
| Incarnate |
embodied in flesh; in human form |
| Indigenous |
originating or occurring naturally in a particular place |
| Inevitable |
certain to happen; unavoidable |
| Insane |
mentally illness |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘J’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Jabber |
talk rapidly and excitedly but with little sense |
| Jargon |
special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand |
| Jaunt |
a short journey for pleasure |
| Jolly |
happy and cheerful |
| Jovial |
cheerful and friendly |
| Judicious |
having, showing, or done with good judgement or sense |
| Juncture |
a particular point in events or time |
| Junk |
old or discarded articles that are considered useless or of little value |
| Jurisdiction |
the territory within which power can be exercised |
| Juxtapose |
place or deal with close together for contrasting effect |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘K’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Kalopsia |
the state in which everything, and everyone, looks beautiful |
| Keen |
having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm |
| Keystone |
the central principle on which all else depends |
| Kickoff |
the start of an event or activity |
| Kindle |
light or set on fire |
| Kinesis |
movement; motion |
| Kinship |
blood relationship |
| Kleptomania |
a recurrent urge to steal, typically without regard for need or profit |
| Knight |
a man who served his sovereign or lord as a mounted soldier in armour |
| Kudos |
praise and honour received for an achievement |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘L’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Labyrinth |
a complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze. |
| Lacuna |
an unfilled space or interval; a gap |
| Lampoon |
publicly criticise by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm |
| Languid |
pleasantly lazy and peaceful |
| Languish |
lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble. |
| Leverage |
the exertion of force by means of a lever |
| Luminary |
a person who inspires or influences others |
| Lunatic |
a mentally ill person |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘M’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Macrocosm |
the whole of a complex structure |
| Magnanimous |
generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person |
| Malapropism |
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one |
| Mandarin |
a powerful official or senior bureaucrat |
| Manifestation |
an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially a theory or an abstract idea |
| Manoeuvre |
a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care |
| Mediocre |
of only moderate quality; not very good |
| Merchandise |
goods to be bought and sold |
| Mundane |
lacking interest or excitement |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘N’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Narcissist |
a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves |
| Nemesis |
the inescapable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall |
| Neophyte |
a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief |
| Nepotism |
the practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs |
| Niche |
a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment |
| Nirvana |
a state of perfect happiness |
| Nocturnal |
done, occurring, or active at night |
| Nomenclature |
the devising or choosing of names for things, especially in a science or other discipline |
| Nullify |
invalidate |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘O’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Oblivion |
the state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening. |
| Oblivious |
not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one |
| Obscure |
uncertain |
| Obsolete |
no longer produced or used; out of date. |
| Odour |
a distinctive smell, especially an unpleasant one |
| Omen |
an event regarded as a portent of good or evil |
| Omnipotent |
having unlimited power |
| Omnipresent |
common or widespread |
| Omniscient |
knowing everything |
| Overwhelm |
defeat completely |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘P’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Pandemonium |
uproar |
| Paramount |
supreme |
| Paranoia |
suspicion and mistrust of people or their actions without evidence or justification |
| Perplex |
confuse |
| Petrify |
make someone so frightened that they are unable to move |
| Pinnacle |
the most successful point |
| Preamble |
an introduction |
| Protocol |
the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions |
| Pseudonym |
a false name |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘Q’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Quadrilateral |
a four-sided figure |
| Qualitative |
relating to, measuring, or measured by the quality of something rather than its quantity |
| Quandary |
uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation |
| Quantitative |
relating to, measuring, or measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality |
| Quantum |
the smallest amount or unit of something |
| Quarantine |
a state, period, or place of isolation in which people or animals that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed |
| Quench |
satisfy one’s thirst |
| Querulous |
complaining in a weak high voice |
| Quibble |
a slight objection or criticism about a matter of little value |
| Quintessence |
the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘R’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Rampant |
Getting worse quickly in an uncontrolled way |
| Realm |
a kingdom |
| Rebuke |
express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behaviour or actions |
| Reconnaissance |
preliminary surveying or research |
| Reiterate |
say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity |
| Rejuvenate |
give new energy or vigour to |
| Relegate |
consign or dismiss to an inferior rank |
| Reminiscent |
tending to remind one of something |
| Remorse |
deep regret for a wrong committed |
| Renaissance |
a revival of or renewed interest in something |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘S’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Sagacious |
having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement |
| Sarcasm |
the use of irony to mock or convey contempt |
| Satire |
the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticise people’s stupidity or vices |
| Scornful |
feeling or expressing contempt or derision |
| Scrutinise |
examine or inspect closely and thoroughly |
| Semantics |
the branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning |
| Seminal |
strongly influencing later developments |
| Serendipity |
the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way |
| Solace |
comfort in a time of distress |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘T’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Taboo |
a prohibited social practice |
| Tactful |
sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues |
| Tactical |
relating to or constituting actions carefully planned |
| Tangible |
perceptible by touch, real |
| Tantamount |
equivalent to |
| Taunt |
a remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone |
| Tenet |
a principle or belief |
| Tenuous |
very weak or slight |
| Termination |
the action of bringing something to an end |
| Threshold |
a point of entry or beginning |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘U’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Ubiquitous |
found everywhere |
| Unanimous |
a decision held or carried by everyone involved |
| Unbiased |
showing no prejudice for or against something |
| Undaunted |
not intimidated or discouraged by difficulty |
| Unilateral |
performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a particular situation, without the agreement of another or the others |
| Unravel |
undo |
| Upheaval |
a sudden change or disruption to something |
| Utility |
the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial |
| Utopian |
a state in which everything is perfect; idealistic |
| Utterance |
a spoken word, statement, or vocal sound |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘V’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Valediction |
the action of saying farewell |
| Valiant |
showing courage or determination |
| Valour |
great courage in the face of danger |
| Vengeance |
punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong |
| Vernacular |
the language spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region |
| Versatile |
able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities |
| Versification |
the making of poetry |
| Vertigo |
a sensation of whirling and loss of balance |
| Vigilante |
a member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate |
| Vigorous |
strong, healthy, and full of energy |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘W’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Wanderlust |
a strong desire to travel |
| Wardrobe |
a tall cabinet in which clothes may be hung or stored |
| Wayfarer |
a person who travels on foot |
| Whimsical |
playfully quaint or fanciful |
| Winsome |
appealing in appearance or character |
| Wither |
cease to flourish |
| Wizard |
a man who has magical powers, especially in legends and fairy tales. |
| Wrangle |
a long argument |
| Wrath |
extreme anger |
| Wretched |
in a very unhappy or unfortunate state |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘X’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Xenophobia |
dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries |
| Xerox |
photocopy |
| Xylography |
the art of making woodcuts or wood engravings, especially by a relatively primitive technique |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘Y’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Yank |
pull with a jerk |
| Yatter |
endless talk |
Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘Z’
| Difficult Words |
Meanings |
| Zeal |
great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective |
| Zest |
great enthusiasm and energy |
| Zippy |
bright, fresh, or lively |
How Can We Learn Tough English Words?
Have you heard the term ‘Semantics’ before? Semantics is the study of meanings. English is not our mother tongue, so it requires effort to learn. There are numerous difficult words in the English language. It is hard to acquire knowledge and apply it in day to day conversations. But by practising semantics, even the most difficult words in English can be learnt quickly. Mastering the English language will not be a Himalayan task if you are ready to learn new vocabulary on a regular basis. Start practising on simpler words and gradually step into difficult vocabulary words. Prepare a list of complex words with meaning and try to learn at least five new words from the list regularly to improve your wisdom in the English language.
Frequently Asked Questions on Difficult Words
Q1
List 20 hard words in English.
Labyrinth
Nirvana
Nomenclature
Pandemonium
Patriarchy
Pseudonym
Malapropism
Omniscient
Rejuvenate
Sagacious
Serendipity
Solace
Tangible
Tenet
Unbiased
Unilateral
Utopian
Valediction
Overwhelm
Whimsical
Xenophobia
Q2
List 10 difficult words starting with the letter ‘I’.
Iconoclast
Idiosyncrasy
Idle
Imbibe
Imperative
Impetus
Incarnate
Indigenous
Inevitable
Insane
Q3
What is semantics?
Semantics is the study of meanings.
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