Top 60 Difficult Words With Meanings: Improve Your Vocabulary

It can be similar to cracking hidden codes to comprehend difficult words with meanings. Having a large vocabulary is crucial, just as you can run into challenging words on the TOEFL vs. IELTS tests. These English language tests may include words like “ubiquitous,” which denotes something that is present everywhere, or “ephemeral,” which defines something lasting just a little time. Therefore, having a strong vocabulary not only helps you pass these examinations but also improves your comprehension and performance on them. So, let’s learn about what vocabulary is and the top 60 difficult words with meanings. 

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What is Vocabulary? 

All the words a person knows and uses in speech are considered their vocabulary. It functions as your word bank for reading, writing, and speaking. Your ability to communicate with people and express yourself will improve as your vocabulary grows. Thus, expanding your word power is similar to establishing a strong vocabulary. We have discussed the top 60 difficult words with meanings in the further blog! 

Why You Should Have a Good Vocabulary? 

You should know how to pronounce difficult words with their meanings. To know why you should have strong and good vocabulary skills here are the reasons:- 

1. Clear Communication

It makes it easier for you to express your ideas and thoughts so that others may comprehend you.

2. Better Reading

You can read and comprehend books, articles, and texts more readily if you have a larger vocabulary.

3. Writing Skills

A strong vocabulary enhances the impact and intrigue of your writing.

4. Confidence

Using strong language makes you sound knowledgeable and confident.

5. School Success

It’s essential for passing tests and completing tasks.

6. Possibilities for Employment

Employers value those who can speak clearly, therefore it may help you land a decent position.

7. Express Emotions

You can effectively articulate your sentiments, which is crucial in interpersonal connections.

8. Prevent Misunderstandings

This lessens the possibility that others will perceive your words incorrectly.

9. For making Brain Fit 

Learning new words is a great way to keep your brain fit and active.

10. Enjoyment

It improves interactions and allows you to enjoy the elegance of words.

Therefore, having a strong vocabulary is like having a permanent superpower!

How to Improve Vocabulary? 

Learning new words can be enjoyable and rewarding. Here are a few quick methods to improve your vocabulary:- 

1. Read Books and Newspapers 

Regular reading will introduce you to new words in books, periodicals, newspapers, and even internet publications. Every day, try to read a little.

2. Make a Journal 

Keep a vocabulary journal and add new terms you come across, their definitions, and examples of how to use them in sentences.

3. Use flashcards

Make cards with the definition of a word on one side and the word itself on the other. Examine them frequently.

4. Play Word Games

Activities like Scrabble, crosswords, and word searches are fun and excellent for expanding one’s vocabulary.

5. Discover a Word a Day

Make it a routine to learn and employ a new term in speech each day.

6. Setting the Scene

Be mindful of how words are employed in various contexts. You can better comprehend their meanings as a result.

7. Join a vocabulary or book club

Talking about literature with others might expose you to fresh terminology and viewpoints.

8. Watch documentaries and instructional television

they frequently employ more sophisticated language and can be both entertaining and educational.

9. Use vocabulary apps

There are many apps available that can assist you in increasing your vocabulary, such as Duolingo and Quizlet.

10. Communicate with Others 

Have conversations with people who speak a variety of languages. Participating in conversations exposes you to new vocabulary.

Top 80 Difficult Words With Meanings 

1. Travesty (/ˈtravɪsti/) 

Meaning: a false, ridiculous, or distorted portrayal of anything.

Similar Words: Pantomime, farce, etc. 

Example: They didn’t get Justice was a travesty. 

2. Promulgate (/ˈprɒmlɡeɪt/) 

Meaning: announcing or promoting something 

Similar Words: Spread, Broadcast, etc. 

3. Solipsism (/ˈsɒlɪpsɪz(ə)m/) 

Meaning: the self-centred human who thinks he is the only one that exists, thinks of themselves as a main character 

Similar Words: egoism, self-reliance, etc.

4. Vociferous (/və(ʊ)ˈsɪf(ə)rəs/) 

Meaning: someone or something that is extremely loud and forceful 

Similar Words: noisy, outspoken, etc. 

5. Ubiquitous (/juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/) 

Meaning: found everywhere 

Similar Words: all-over, everywhere, etc. 

Example: He has his family friends ubiquitous in the World. 

6. Phlegmatic (/flɛɡˈmatɪk/) 

Meaning: has no emotions or expresses little emotions 

Similar Words: controlled, cool-headed, etc. 

Example: Men are phlegmatic! 

7. Recalcitrant (/rɪˈkalsɪtr(ə)nt/) 

Meaning: Resistant to authority  

Similar Words: uncooperative, difficult, etc. 

8. Pejorative (/pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv/) 

Meaning: obvious disapproval 

Similar Words: insulting, slanderous, etc. 

9. Abnegation (/ˌabnɪˈɡeɪʃn/) 

Meaning: Rejecting or Reannouncing something 

Similar Words: rejection, refusal, etc. 

Example: Maths exam is abnegated due to the tsunami. 

10. Beguiled (/bɪˈɡʌɪl/)

Meaning: enchant someone with a deceptive way

Similar Words: attract, bewitch, etc. 

Example: He was beguiled with her beauty. 

11. Aggrandize (/əˈɡrandʌɪz/) 

Meaning: increase, status, power and wealth of 

Similar Words: elevate, dignify, etc. 

12. Alacrity (/əˈlakrɪti/) 

Meaning: cheerful and brisk readiness 

Similar Words: willingness, eagerness, etc. 

Example: Students were alacrity for the tournament. 

13. Blandishment (/ˈblandɪʃm(ə)nt/) 

Meaning: pleasing and flattering statement, gently convincing someone to do something 

Similar Words: sweet talk, simpering, etc.

Example: The shopkeeper blandishment their customers for buying their items.

14. Archetypal (/ˌɑːkɪˈtʌɪpl,ˈɑːkɪˌtʌɪpl/) 

Meaning: a thing or person that is very typical 

Similar Words: standard, classic, etc. 

Example: Dr. Ananya is an archetypal dentist. 

15. Clamour (/ˈklamə/) 

Meaning: confused and loud noise 

Similar Words: uproar, screaming, etc. 

Example: Seema clamours in front of the teacher. 

16. Cognizant (/ˈkɒ(ɡ)nɪz(ə)nt/) 

Meaning: having awareness or knowledge 

Similar Words: aware, in the know about, etc. 

Example: A statesman should be cognizant of what is going on in the political boundaries.  

17. Construe (/kənˈstruː/) 

Meaning: interpret in a particular way
Similar Words: understand, parse, etc. 

Example: Mitisha’s actions could hardly be construed as sorry. 

18. Disparate (/ˈdɪsp(ə)rət/)

Meaning: not able to be compared 

Similar Words: different, poles apart, etc. 

Example: They inhabit disparate worlds of thought. 

19. Convivial (/kənˈvɪvɪəl/)

Meaning: enjoyable atmosphere 

Similar Words: friendly, agreeable, etc. 

Example: They were at a convivial party. 

20. Enervate (/ˈɛnəveɪt/)

Meaning: lacking in vitality 

Similar Words: exhaust, fatigue, etc. 

Example: Today, the heat enervated us. 

21. Constrict (/kənˈstrɪkt/) 

Meaning: make narrower 

Similar Words: compress, contract, etc. 

Example: There are some chemicals that constrict the blood vessels. 

22. Fatuous (/ˈfatjʊəs/) 

Meaning: pointless and silly 

Similar Words: foolish, etc.
Example: They passed a fatuous comment. 

23. Ephemeral (/ɪˈfɛm(ə)rəl,ɛˈfɛm(ə)rəl/) 

Meaning: lasted for a short time 

Similar Words: brief, short, etc. 

Example: Technologies are ephemeral, new ones always drive others out. 

24. Iconoclast (/ʌɪˈkɒnəklast/) 

Meaning: someone who attacks and criticizes great ideas

Similar Words: mutineer, renegade, etc. 

25. Embezzlement (/ɪmˈbɛzlm(ə)nt,ɛmˈbɛzlm(ə)nt/) 

Meaning: misappropriation of funds 

Similar Words: theft, stealing, etc. 

Example: An accountant has done the embezzlement of funds of the company. 

26. Eclectic (/ɪˈklɛktɪk/) 

Meaning: deriving ideas and style from the various ranges of sources

Similar Words: extensive, broad, etc. 

Example: McGill University offers an eclectic mix of courses. 

27. Denigrate (/ˈdɛnɪɡreɪt/) 

Meaning: belittle someone 

Similar Words: speak ill of, diminish, etc. 

Example: They denigrated her for her financial status. 

28. Camaraderie (/ˌkaməˈrɑːd(ə)ri/) 

Meaning: mutual understanding between two people who spend time together

Similar Words: togetherness, friendship 

Example: The military has camaraderie between them. 

29. Ascetic (/əˈsɛtɪk/) 

Meaning: self-discipline for spiritual matters 

Similar Words: spartan, frugal, etc. 

Example: She has become ascetic for prayers. 

30. Circumlocution (/ˌsəːkəmləˈkjuːʃ(ə)n/) 

Meaning: expressing someone in an indirect way 

Similar Words: repetition, periphrasis, etc. 

Example: Her admission came after years of circumlocution. 

31. Didactic (/dʌɪˈdaktɪk,dɪˈdaktɪk/) 

Meaning: intended to teach 

Similar Words: educative, informative, etc. 

Example: Good Father and Bad Father is a very didactic book.

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32. Demagogue (/ˈdɛməɡɒɡ/)

Meaning: a political leader who uses desires or prejudice of the people by seeking support. 

Similar Words: firebrand, troublemaker, etc. 

33. Idiosyncratic (/ˌɪdɪə(ʊ)sɪŋˈkratɪk/)

Meaning: relating to individual 

Similar Words: typical, distinct, etc. 

34. Inveterate (/ɪnˈvɛt(ə)rət/)

Meaning: habitual 

Similar Words: ingrained, established, etc. 

35. Largess (/lɑːˈ(d)ʒɛs/)

Meaning: generosity in gifting others 

Similar Words: charity, donating, etc. 

Example: The distribution of largess to the needy people. 

36. Sanctimonious (/ˌsaŋ(k)tɪˈməʊnɪəs/) 

Meaning: superior to other people 

Similar Words: moralizing, smug, etc. 

37. Quotidian (/kwɒˈtɪdɪən/)

Meaning: daily 

Similar Words: usual, ordinary, etc. 

Example: They dance quotidianly. 

38. Pertinacious (/ˌpəːtɪˈneɪʃəs/)

Meaning: holding firmly to an opinion 

Similar Words: persistent, determined, etc. 

39. Ostracism (/ˈɒstrəsɪz(ə)m/)

Meaning: Exclusion from the society 

Similar Words: rejection, etc

40. Obdurate (/ˈɒbdjʊrət/)

Meaning: refusing to change one’s opinion 

Similar Words: stubborn, inflexible, etc. 

41. Multifarious (/ˌmʌltɪˈfɛːrɪəs/) 

Meaning: various types 

Similar Words: diverse, numerous, etc. 

42. Licentious (/lʌɪˈsɛnʃəs/) 

Meaning: unprincipled in sexual matters 

Similar Words: immoral, corrupt, etc. 

43. Incumbent (/ɪnˈkʌmbənt/) 

Meaning: necessary for someone as a responsibility 

Similar Words: mandatory, compulsory, etc. 

44. Pellucid (/pɪˈl(j)uːsɪd,pɛˈl(j)uːsɪd/) 

Meaning: translucently clear 

Similar Words: transparent, crystal clear, etc. 

45. Gratuitous (/ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/) 

Meaning: done without good reason 

Similar Words: unprovoked, unjustified, etc. 

46. Equanimity (/ˌiːkwəˈnɪmɪti,ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti/) 

Meaning: calmness 

Similar Words: self-control, serenity, etc. 

47. Egregious (/ɪˈɡriːdʒəs/) 

Meaning: outstandingly bad 

Similar Words: horrific, terrible, etc. 

48. Callous (/ˈkaləs/) 

Meaning: cruel disregard for others 

Similar Words: heartless, unfeeling, etc. 

49. Cajole (/kəˈdʒəʊl/) 

Meaning: persuade to do something 

Similar Words: talk into, coax, etc. 

50. Abnegation (/ˌabnɪˈɡeɪʃn/) 

Meaning: rejecting something 

Similar Words: refusal, surrender, etc. 

51. Ubiquitous (/juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/) 

Meaning: found everywhere 

Similar Words: ever-present, omnipresent, etc. 

52. Sycophant (/ˈsɪkəfant/) 

Meaning: talking well with others in order to gain an advantage  

Similar Words: creep, crawler, etc. 

53. Ineffable (/ɪnˈɛfəbl/) 

Meaning: too great 

Similar Words: beyond description, untold, etc. 

54. Trepidation (/ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃn/) 

Meaning: a feeling of fear

Similar Words: dread, agitation, etc. 

55. Gourmand (/ˈɡʊəmənd,ˈɡɔːmənd/) 

Meaning: a person who enjoys eating 

Similar Words: glutton, gobbler, etc. 

56. Obfuscate (/ˈɒbfʌskeɪt/) 

Meaning: unclear 

Similar Words: blur, confuse, etc. 

57. Nefarious (/nɪˈfɛːrɪəs/) 

Meaning: criminal 

Similar Words: evil, sinful, etc. 

58. Serendipity

Meaning: good luck in making fortunate discoveries 

Similar Words: chance, etc. 

59. Heterogeneous (/ˌhɛt(ə)rəˈdʒiːnɪəs/) 

Meaning: diverse in character 

Similar Words: varying, varied, etc. 

60. Pernicious (/pəˈnɪʃəs/) 

Meaning: having a harmful effect 

Similar Words: damaging, injurious, etc. 

Now, you know the difficult words with meanings. For studying abroad you can consult from our best guides for taking your study abroad journey to the next level!

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