25 of the Hardest English Words to Spell
English spelling rules and the “sound it out” approach probably won’t help you spell “autochthonous,” “chiaroscurist,” and other 10-dollar words. Challenge yourself and build your vocabulary with these 25 hard-to-spell English words that will have you reaching for your dictionary.
Text version
antediluvian
"Of or relating to the period before the flood described in the Bible."[1]
appoggiatura
"An embellishing note or tone preceding an essential melodic note or tone and usually written as a note of smaller size."[1]
asceticism
"The practice of avoiding indulgences and temptations, usually for religious reasons."[2]
autochthonous
"Found in a locality in which it originates; indigenous."[3]
chiaroscurist
"An artist who specializes in 'chiaroscuro,' which focuses on 'the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade.'"[3]
crustaceology
"The study of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp."[2]
cymotrichous
"Having wavy hair."[3]
elucubrate
"To produce (especially literary work) by long and intensive effort."[3]
esquamulose
"The opposite of 'squamulose,' which means 'furnished or covered with tiny scales.'"[3]
eudaemonic
"Pertaining or conducive to happiness."[3]
euonym
"An appropriate name for a person, place, or thing."[3]
guetapens
"A trap or a snare."[2]
hydrophyte
"An aquatic plant, one that grows only on or in water."[2]
insouciant
"Free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant."[3]
interlocutory
"Given during the course of a legal action."[2]
Laodicean
"Lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics."[1]
logorrhea
"Pathologically incoherent, repetitious speech."[3]
macerate
"To soften (usually food) by soaking in liquid."[2]
odontalgia
"Pain in a tooth; toothache."[3]
prospicience
"The act of looking forward; foresight."[3]
scherenschnitte
"The art of cutting paper into decorative designs."[3]
smaragdine
"Of or relating to emeralds; emerald-green in color."[3]
soubrette
"A high female vocal range or an actress in an opera with such a vocal range."[2]
succedaneum
"A substitute."[1]
Ursprache
"An extinct language reconstructed using evidence from later languages--for example, Proto-Germanic, the hypothetical ancestor of the Germanic languages."[3]
Sources: 1 = BusinessInsider.com, 2 = RD.com, 3 = LittleThings.com