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 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.