250 Difficult Words in English Vocabulary

The English language is enriched with more than a million words. There are numerous difficult words in English vocabulary. Few of them has been listed below.

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘A’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Abandoncease to support or look after someone
Abolishformally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution)
Abscondleave 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
Accretionthe process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter
Acumenthe ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain
Adamantrefusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind
Adversepreventing success or development; harmful; unfavourable
Advocatea person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy
Affluenthaving 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 WordsMeanings
Backbitetalk maliciously about someone who is not present
Baffletotally bewilder or perplex
Ballada poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas
Banishsend (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment
Barbaricsavagely cruel; exceedingly brutal
Barrentoo poor to produce much or any vegetation
Bedlama scene of uproar and confusion
Benefactora person who gives money or other help to a person or cause
Beseechask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘C’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Cajolepersuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery
Charismacompelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others
Chasma deep crack or opening in the earth, rock, or another surface
Chauvinista person with a prejudiced belief in their own superiority
Clichea phrase or opinion that is overused
Contagionthe communication of disease from one person to another by close contact
Countenancea person’s face or facial expression
Cringehave a feeling of awkwardness or embarrassment
Cuea signal for action

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘D’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Dauntlessshowing fearlessness and determination
Delicacyfineness or intricacy of texture or structure
Delicatevery fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality
Depictshow or represent by a drawing, painting, or other art form
Desolatefeeling or showing misery, unhappiness, or loneliness
Destitutewithout the basic necessities of life
Devotegive all or a large part of one’s time or resources to (a person, activity, or cause)
Diabolicaldisgracefully bad or unpleasant, characteristic of the Devil
Discrepancya lack of similarity between two or more facts
Dismantletake (a machine or structure) to pieces

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘E’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Edificea building, especially a large, imposing one
Elegya poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead
Endeavourtry hard to do or achieve something
Enduresuffer patiently
Enigmaa person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand
Enslavemake (someone) a slave
Epitapha phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone
Extinctionthe process of a particular thing ceasing to exist
Extricatefree (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘F’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Fastenclose up securely
Fathomunderstand something after a lot of thought
Fetea celebration or festival
Fidelityfaithfulness to a person
Flicka sudden sharp movement
Flipturn over with a sudden quick movement
Foresightthe ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future.
Fragileeasily broken or damaged
Franchisean authorization granted by a government or company to an individual or group enabling them to carry out specified commercial activities
Futileincapable of producing any useful result

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘G’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Galea very strong wind
Gallantbrave
Gambita device, action, or opening remark, typically one entailing a degree of risk, that is calculated to gain an advantage
Gambleplay games of chance for money; bet
Garmentan item of clothing
Gastronomythe practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food
Gazea steady intent look
Genialfriendly and cheerful
Genrea category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterised by similarities in form, style, or subject matter
Gibberishmeaningless speech or writing, nonsense

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘H’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Habitualdone or doing constantly or as a habit
Hailcall out to (someone) to attract attention
Harbingera person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another
Haughtyarrogantly superior and disdainful
Havocwidespread destruction
Heathena follower of a polytheistic religion
Hegemonyleadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others
Hindercreate difficulties for (someone or something), resulting in delay or obstruction
Hostileunfriendly; antagonistic

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘I’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Idiosyncracya mode of behaviour or way of thought peculiar to an individual
Idlelazy, inactive
Imbibeassimilate some ideas or knowledge
Imperativeof vital importance; crucial
Impetusthe force or energy with which a body moves
Incarnateembodied in flesh; in human form
Indigenousoriginating or occurring naturally in a particular place
Inevitablecertain to happen; unavoidable
Insanementally illness

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘J’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Jabbertalk rapidly and excitedly but with little sense
Jargonspecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand
Jaunta short journey for pleasure
Jollyhappy and cheerful
Jovialcheerful and friendly
Judicioushaving, showing, or done with good judgement or sense
Juncturea particular point in events or time
Junkold or discarded articles that are considered useless or of little value
Jurisdictionthe territory within which power can be exercised
Juxtaposeplace or deal with close together for contrasting effect

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘K’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Kalopsiathe state in which everything, and everyone, looks beautiful
Keenhaving or showing eagerness or enthusiasm
Keystonethe central principle on which all else depends
Kickoffthe start of an event or activity
Kindlelight or set on fire
Kinesismovement; motion
Kinshipblood relationship
Kleptomaniaa recurrent urge to steal, typically without regard for need or profit
Knighta man who served his sovereign or lord as a mounted soldier in armour
Kudospraise and honour received for an achievement

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘L’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Labyrintha complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze.
Lacunaan unfilled space or interval; a gap
Lampoonpublicly criticise by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm
Languidpleasantly lazy and peaceful
Languishlose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble.
Leveragethe exertion of force by means of a lever
Luminarya person who inspires or influences others
Lunatica mentally ill person

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘M’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Macrocosmthe whole of a complex structure
Magnanimousgenerous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person
Malapropismthe mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one
Mandarina powerful official or senior bureaucrat
Manifestationan event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially a theory or an abstract idea
Manoeuvrea movement or series of moves requiring skill and care
Mediocreof only moderate quality; not very good
Merchandisegoods to be bought and sold
Mundanelacking interest or excitement

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘N’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Narcissista person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves
Nemesisthe inescapable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall
Neophytea person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief
Nepotismthe practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs
Nichea comfortable or suitable position in life or employment
Nirvanaa state of perfect happiness
Nocturnaldone, occurring, or active at night
Nomenclaturethe devising or choosing of names for things, especially in a science or other discipline
Nullifyinvalidate

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘O’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Oblivionthe state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening.
Obliviousnot aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one
Obscureuncertain
Obsoleteno longer produced or used; out of date.
Odoura distinctive smell, especially an unpleasant one
Omenan event regarded as a portent of good or evil
Omnipotenthaving unlimited power
Omnipresentcommon or widespread
Omniscientknowing everything
Overwhelmdefeat completely

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘P’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Pandemoniumuproar
Paramountsupreme
Paranoiasuspicion and mistrust of people or their actions without evidence or justification
Perplexconfuse
Petrifymake someone so frightened that they are unable to move
Pinnaclethe most successful point
Preamblean introduction
Protocolthe official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions
Pseudonyma false name

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘Q’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Quadrilaterala four-sided figure
Qualitativerelating to, measuring, or measured by the quality of something rather than its quantity
Quandaryuncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation
Quantitativerelating to, measuring, or measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality
Quantumthe smallest amount or unit of something
Quarantinea 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
Quenchsatisfy one’s thirst
Querulouscomplaining in a weak high voice
Quibblea slight objection or criticism about a matter of little value
Quintessencethe most perfect or typical example of a quality or class

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘R’

Difficult WordsMeanings
RampantGetting worse quickly in an uncontrolled way
Realma kingdom
Rebukeexpress sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behaviour or actions
Reconnaissancepreliminary surveying or research
Reiteratesay something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity
Rejuvenategive new energy or vigour to
Relegateconsign or dismiss to an inferior rank
Reminiscenttending to remind one of something
Remorsedeep regret for a wrong committed
Renaissancea revival of or renewed interest in something

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘S’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Sagacioushaving or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement
Sarcasmthe use of irony to mock or convey contempt
Satirethe use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticise people’s stupidity or vices
Scornfulfeeling or expressing contempt or derision
Scrutiniseexamine or inspect closely and thoroughly
Semanticsthe branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning
Seminalstrongly influencing later developments
Serendipitythe occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way
Solacecomfort in a time of distress

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘T’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Tabooa prohibited social practice
Tactfulsensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues
Tacticalrelating to or constituting actions carefully planned
Tangibleperceptible by touch, real
Tantamountequivalent to
Taunta remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone
Teneta principle or belief
Tenuousvery weak or slight
Terminationthe action of bringing something to an end
Thresholda point of entry or beginning

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘U’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Ubiquitousfound everywhere
Unanimousa decision held or carried by everyone involved
Unbiasedshowing no prejudice for or against something
Undauntednot intimidated or discouraged by difficulty
Unilateralperformed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a particular situation, without the agreement of another or the others
Unravelundo
Upheavala sudden change or disruption to something
Utilitythe state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial
Utopiana state in which everything is perfect; idealistic
Utterancea spoken word, statement, or vocal sound

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘V’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Valedictionthe action of saying farewell
Valiantshowing courage or determination
Valourgreat courage in the face of danger
Vengeancepunishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong
Vernacularthe language spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region
Versatileable to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities
Versificationthe making of poetry
Vertigoa sensation of whirling and loss of balance
Vigilantea 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
Vigorousstrong, healthy, and full of energy

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘W’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Wanderlusta strong desire to travel
Wardrobea tall cabinet in which clothes may be hung or stored
Wayfarera person who travels on foot
Whimsicalplayfully quaint or fanciful
Winsomeappealing in appearance or character
Withercease to flourish
Wizarda man who has magical powers, especially in legends and fairy tales.
Wranglea long argument
Wrathextreme anger
Wretchedin a very unhappy or unfortunate state

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘X’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Xenophobiadislike of or prejudice against people from other countries
Xeroxphotocopy
Xylographythe art of making woodcuts or wood engravings, especially by a relatively primitive technique

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘Y’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Yankpull with a jerk
Yatterendless talk

Difficult Words in English Vocabulary Starting with the Letter ‘Z’

Difficult WordsMeanings
Zealgreat energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective
Zestgreat enthusiasm and energy
Zippybright, 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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