VocabularyBasePractice words

Word games and puzzles

Obscure and advanced vocabulary words

This list is a collection of obscure and advanced words that rarely come up in everyday conversation but reward learners who take the time to master them. It suits advanced students, competitive word-game players, and anyone who enjoys collecting unusual words to use in writing or conversation for effect.

Practice these words ↗Take a quiz

Obscure and advanced vocabulary words

36 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
sesquipedalianadjectiveGiven to using long, often unnecessarily complicated words.His sesquipedalian writing style made even simple ideas hard to follow.
perspicaciousadjectiveHaving a ready insight into and understanding of things; keenly perceptive or shrewd in judgment.The perspicacious detective noticed the small inconsistency that everyone else had missed.
obfuscateverbTo make something unclear, confusing, or difficult to understand, often deliberately.The spokesperson seemed to obfuscate the real reason behind the company's sudden layoffs.
ephemeraladjectiveLasting for only a short time.The ephemeral rainbow faded before I could find my camera.
ineffableadjectiveToo great, intense, or sacred to be expressed or described adequately in words.Standing at the canyon's edge, she felt an ineffable sense of awe she could not put into words.
ubiquitousadjectiveFound in so many places that it seems to be everywhere.Bright yellow umbrellas were ubiquitous along the rainy shopping street.
cacophonynounA harsh, jarring mixture of loud, discordant sounds.The cacophony of car horns and shouting filled the crowded intersection.
serendipitynounGood fortune in finding something useful or pleasing when you were not looking for it.By serendipity, the book I opened for its illustrations contained the answer to my question.
mellifluousadjectiveSweet-sounding and pleasant to hear, especially describing a voice or piece of music.The narrator's mellifluous voice made even the phone directory sound soothing.
esotericadjectiveIntended for or understood by only a small group of people with specialized knowledge or interest.The lecture covered such esoteric topics that most of the audience felt lost.
quixoticadjectiveExtremely idealistic and unrealistic, especially in pursuing goals that are impractical or unattainable.His quixotic plan to end world hunger single-handedly impressed but also worried his friends.
surreptitiousadjectiveDone secretly or quietly to avoid being noticed, often because the action is not allowed.He took a surreptitious glance at his phone during the meeting.
vicissitudenounA change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or beyond one's control.Despite the vicissitudes of war, the small village managed to preserve its ancient traditions.
perfunctoryadjectiveCarried out with minimal effort or reflection, as a routine duty rather than out of genuine interest.He gave a perfunctory nod before returning his attention to his phone.
anachronisticadjectiveBelonging to or seeming to belong to a time period different from the one being shown.The wristwatch in the medieval film scene looked jarringly anachronistic to viewers.
perniciousadjectiveHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or not immediately obvious way.The pernicious rumor slowly damaged her reputation long before anyone traced its source.
ostentatiousadjectiveDesigned to impress others by showing off wealth, knowledge, or possessions in an obvious way.The couple's ostentatious mansion had gold fixtures in nearly every room.
recalcitrantadjectiveStubbornly resistant to authority or control; uncooperative.The recalcitrant student refused to follow even the simplest classroom rules.
sycophantnounA person who flatters someone powerful or important to gain favor or advantage.The new manager surrounded himself with sycophants who never questioned his decisions.
obstreperousadjectiveNoisy, unruly, and difficult to control, especially in resisting authority or discipline.The obstreperous toddler screamed and kicked when his parents refused to buy him candy.
nefariousadjectiveExtremely wicked, criminal, or morally dishonest in nature or intent.The detective slowly uncovered the businessman's nefarious scheme to launder stolen money.
idiosyncraticadjectivePeculiar or distinctive to a particular person, showing an unusual individual style or habit.The chef's idiosyncratic method of plating food made every dish instantly recognizable.
ameliorateverbTo make a harmful or difficult situation better.The extra bus service should ameliorate crowding during the morning rush.
equanimitynounA state of mental calmness and composure, especially in a difficult or stressful situation.She accepted the harsh criticism with remarkable equanimity and kept working.
ebullientadjectiveFull of cheerful energy and enthusiasm, especially in a lively, overflowing way.The coach remained ebullient even after the team's disappointing loss in overtime.
garrulousadjectiveExcessively talkative, especially about unimportant things.The garrulous passenger talked nonstop throughout the entire six-hour flight.
taciturnadjectiveHabitually saying very little and reluctant to speak or join in conversation.The taciturn farmer answered every question with a single nod or a short grunt.
laconicadjectiveUsing very few words to express something, especially in a way that seems terse or blunt.His laconic reply, 'maybe,' left us unsure whether he would attend.
apocryphaladjectiveOf doubtful authenticity, though widely circulated as though it were true.The story about the founder sleeping in his office is probably apocryphal.
cantankerousadjectiveBad-tempered and quarrelsome, especially in a stubborn or argumentative way.The cantankerous old man complained loudly whenever the neighborhood children played too close to his yard.
grandiloquentadjectiveUsing extravagant, pompous, or overly elaborate language, especially to impress.His grandiloquent speech left the audience more confused than genuinely inspired.
munificentadjectiveExtremely generous, especially in giving money or gifts.The munificent donor funded an entire new wing of the hospital.
plethoranounA very large or excessive amount of something.The buffet offered a plethora of desserts, far more than anyone could try.
quandarynounA state of uncertainty or confusion over what to do when faced with a difficult choice.She was in a quandary about whether to accept the job offer or stay home.
sartorialadjectiveRelating to clothing, tailoring, or style of dress.The actor was known for his sartorial elegance at every public event.
umbragenounA feeling of offense or resentment, usually at a perceived insult.She took umbrage at his blunt comment about her cooking.

Why learn obscure words

Obscure words are worth learning because they often capture a precise shade of meaning that a common word cannot. Perfunctory, for example, says more in one word than the phrase done without care or enthusiasm, and taciturn is sharper than saying someone does not talk much. Building a working vocabulary of these words gives a writer more precise tools, even if most are used sparingly.

Using obscure words carefully

Words like sesquipedalian and grandiloquent are almost jokes about their own length and formality, so they work best used knowingly rather than to sound impressive. Others, such as ephemeral, serendipity, and ubiquitous, have become common enough in edited writing that they read naturally rather than showy. Reading widely is the easiest way to see how skilled writers deploy an obscure word without overloading a sentence.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good obscure word to know?

Serendipity, meaning a fortunate accidental discovery, is a widely loved obscure word that is useful in both writing and conversation.

What does sesquipedalian mean?

Sesquipedalian describes someone who uses unusually long words, or a word that is itself unusually long.