Berlitz
berlitz.com › blog › big-words-to-sound-smart
Big words to sound smart: 127 fancy words to boost eloquence
July 25, 2023 - To help you take your English vocabulary to the next level, we’re prepared a list of 120+ big words to sound smart, with their meaning and an example of how to use them in context. Throwing in a few fancy words into your conversations or monologue is a good idea to sound more eloquent and impress everyone around you.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/englishlearning › 99 fancy words to make you sound smart
r/EnglishLearning on Reddit: 99 Fancy Words to Make You Sound Smart
December 4, 2018 -
I've also created a Learning Game to memorize those 99 words in this discord channel https://discord.gg/4qWaDgu
| Accolade | A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction |
|---|---|
| Acrimony | A rough and bitter manner |
| Angst | An acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety |
| Anomaly | Deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule |
| Antidote | A remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison |
| Avant-garde | Radically new or original |
| Baroque | Relating to an elaborately ornamented style of art and music |
| Bona fide | Not counterfeit or copied |
| Boondoggle | Work of little or no value done merely to look busy |
| Bourgeois | Being of the property-owning class |
| Bravado | A swaggering show of courage |
| Brogue | A thick and heavy shoe |
| Brusque | Rudely abrupt or blunt in speech or manner |
| Byzantine | Of or relating to or characteristic of the Byzantine Empire or the ancient city of Byzantium |
| Cacophony | Loud confusing disagreeable sounds |
| Camaraderie | The quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability |
| Capricious | Determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity |
| Carte blanche | Complete freedom or authority to act |
| Caustic | Capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action |
| Charisma | Personal attractiveness that enables you to influence others |
| Cloying | Overly sweet |
| Deja vu | The experience of thinking a new situation already occurred |
| Dichotomy | A classification into two opposed parts or subclasses |
| Dilettante | An amateur engaging in an activity without serious intention |
| Disheveled | In disarray; extremely disorderly |
| Elan | Enthusiastic and assured vigor and liveliness |
| Ennui | The feeling of being bored by something tedious |
| Epitome | A standard or typical example |
| Equanimity | Steadiness of mind under stress |
| Equivocate | Be deliberately ambiguous or unclear |
| Esoteric | Understandable only by an enlightened inner circle |
| Euphemism | An inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one |
| Fait accompli | An irreversible accomplishment |
| Fastidious | Giving careful attention to detail |
| Faux pas | A socially awkward or tactless act |
| Fiasco | A complete failure or collapse |
| Finagle | Achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods |
| Freudian slip | A slip-up that (according to Sigmund Freud) results from the operation of unconscious wishes or conflicts and can reveal unconscious processes in normal healthy individuals |
| Glib | Artfully persuasive in speech |
| Gregarious | Temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others |
| Harbinger | Something indicating the approach of something or someone |
| Hedonist | Someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures |
| Heresy | A belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion |
| Idiosyncratic | Peculiar to the individual |
| Idyllic | Charmingly simple and serene |
| Indelicate | Slightly indecent, offensive, or improper |
| Infinitesimal | Immeasurably small |
| Insidious | Working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way |
| Junket | Dessert made of sweetened milk coagulated with rennet |
| Kitsch | Excessively garish or sentimental art |
| Litany | Any long and tedious address or recital |
| Lurid | Glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism |
| Machiavellian | Of or relating to amoral or conniving political principles |
| Malaise | A general feeling of discomfort, uneasiness, or depression |
| Malinger | Avoid responsibilities and duties |
| Mantra | Literally a `sacred utterance' in Vedism |
| Maudlin | Effusively or insincerely emotional |
| Mercenary | A person hired to fight for another country than their own |
| Minimalist | A conservative advocating only minor reforms in government |
| Misnomer | An incorrect or unsuitable name |
| Narcissist | Someone who is excessively self-centered |
| Nirvana | The beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation |
| Non sequitur | A reply that has no relevance to what preceded it |
| Nouveau-riche | Characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position |
| Oblivion | The state of being disregarded or forgotten |
| Ogle | Stare or look at, especially with amorous intentions |
| Ostentatious | Intended to attract notice and impress others |
| Ostracize | Expel from a community or group |
| Panacea | Hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases |
| Paradox | A statement that contradicts itself |
| Peevish | Easily irritated or annoyed |
| Perfunctory | Hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough |
| Philistine | A person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits |
| Precocious | Characterized by exceptionally early development |
| Propriety | Correct behavior |
| Quid pro quo | Something for something |
| Quintessential | Representing the perfect example of a class or quality |
| Red herring | Diversion intended to distract attention from the main issue |
| Revel | Take delight in |
| Rhetoric | Study of the technique for using language effectively |
| Scintillating | Having brief brilliant points or flashes of light |
| Spartan | Unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment |
| Stigma | A symbol of disgrace or infamy |
| Stoic | Seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive |
| Suave | Having a sophisticated charm |
| Svengali | Someone (usually maleficent) who tries to persuade or force another person to do his bidding |
| Sycophant | A person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage |
| Teetotaler | A total abstainer |
| Tete-a-tete | A private conversation between two people |
| Tirade | A speech of violent denunciation |
| Tryst | A secret rendezvous, especially between lovers |
| Ubiquitous | Being present everywhere at once |
| Unrequited | Not returned in kind |
| Untenable | Incapable of being defended or justified |
| Vicarious | Experienced at secondhand |
| Vile | Morally reprehensible |
| Waft | A long flag; often tapering |
| White elephant | A valuable possession whose upkeep is excessively expensive |
| Zealous | Marked by active interest and enthusiasm |
Top answer 1 of 5
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Well ... maybe. The list is generally good, but some words are defined here with meanings that, however correct they may be in a narrow sense, are not the usual definitions. For example, "byzantine". While it certainly and accurately applies to the Byzantine Empire, it's generally an adjective that means "complex" and even "puzzling", after the elaborate government processes developed in Byzantium (which was later renamed to Constantinople and is now known as Istanbul). Also, "brogue" is certainly a shoe (from Irish brogan), but it's most commonly used to describe the sound of English as spoken by the Irish, and was originally intended as an insult, as if the speaker "had a brogan in his mouth" as he spoke. The insult is gone, but the descriptive word to mean "accent" (especially an Irish one) remains. "Fait accompli" may be irreversible in some cases, but not all. It simply means "an accomplished fact", "a thing that is completed". "Junket" is defined accurately, but that definition is now uncommon. A political junket, on the other hand, is a type of usually unnecessary travel to a usually agreeable place, with all expenses paid by others. "Waft" really is a nautical flag or banner, but I had to look that one up: it's the least used definition these days. More commonly it's a verb meaning to wave or emanate gently, as a flag or a scent. How do I know these? Because I'm a pedant.
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Just in case there are any serious learners here, almost none of these words are ever used in day to day conversation (unless you're speaking to somebody quite incredibly posh). The only ones I would say are really useful to know are: Anomaly Antidote (can be used in an idiomatic way, i.e. the antidote to a problem) Bourgeois (not pronounced how it's spelt) Charisma Deja Vu Epitome (also not prnounced how it's spelt) Mercenary Minimalist Narcissist Oblivion Paradox Rhetoric Suave Vile Also bear in mind it would sound very strange if you used these words but then mess up basic grammar, these sort of words tend to be used by people who have complete mastery of the language. My girlfriend is from abroad and speaks fantastic English, she rarely misunderstands or is misunderstood, but I'm certain she knows hardly any of these words!
What are the most fancy words you know?
I think the word "exquisite" seems pretty fancy.
More on reddit.com 19
1
May 31, 2015Fancy Words!
Magic - when programmers don't want you to know how easy your oh-so-complicated problem was to implement More on reddit.com
59
4363
March 21, 202199 Fancy Words to Make You Sound Smart
Well ... maybe. The list is generally good, but some words are defined here with meanings that, however correct they may be in a narrow sense, are not the usual definitions. For example, "byzantine". While it certainly and accurately applies to the Byzantine Empire, it's generally an adjective that means "complex" and even "puzzling", after the elaborate government processes developed in Byzantium (which was later renamed to Constantinople and is now known as Istanbul). Also, "brogue" is certainly a shoe (from Irish brogan), but it's most commonly used to describe the sound of English as spoken by the Irish, and was originally intended as an insult, as if the speaker "had a brogan in his mouth" as he spoke. The insult is gone, but the descriptive word to mean "accent" (especially an Irish one) remains. "Fait accompli" may be irreversible in some cases, but not all. It simply means "an accomplished fact", "a thing that is completed". "Junket" is defined accurately, but that definition is now uncommon. A political junket, on the other hand, is a type of usually unnecessary travel to a usually agreeable place, with all expenses paid by others. "Waft" really is a nautical flag or banner, but I had to look that one up: it's the least used definition these days. More commonly it's a verb meaning to wave or emanate gently, as a flag or a scent. How do I know these? Because I'm a pedant. More on reddit.com
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December 4, 2018I get called out for using big/fancy words a lot. But I don't.
I'd use bigger words, just to fuck with them. More on reddit.com
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May 2, 2019What are some other words for smart?
Some other words for “smart” are: · Intelligent · Clever · Bright · Shrewd · Astute · Sharp · Savvy · Quick-witted · “Ingenious” and “erudite” are also some smart words that are synonyms for “smart.” · Find more words for “smart” using QuillBot’s free Paraphraser.
quillbot.com
quillbot.com › home › 40 smart words | meanings & examples
40 Smart Words | Meanings & Examples
What are some words that rhyme with smart?
Some words that rhyme with “smart” are: · Art · Cart · Dart · Depart · Heart · Mart · Part · Start · Tart · “Counterpart” is a smart word that also happens to rhyme with “smart.” · If using any of these words in your writing, QuillBot’s Grammar Checker will make sure you do so correctly.
quillbot.com
quillbot.com › home › 40 smart words | meanings & examples
40 Smart Words | Meanings & Examples
What are some smart transition words?
Some smart transition words are: · Furthermore · Moreover · Nevertheless · Nonetheless · Conversely · Consequently · Ultimately · Use these and other smart words to elevate your writing. Just make sure to put it through QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to make sure it’s error-free!
quillbot.com
quillbot.com › home › 40 smart words | meanings & examples
40 Smart Words | Meanings & Examples
Videos
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Verb of the Day - Fancy
LingoJam
lingojam.com › FancyTextGenerator
Fancy Text Generator (𝓬𝓸𝓹𝔂 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝓹𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮) ― LingoJam
You could use it to generate a fancy Agario name (yep, weird text in agario is probably generated using a fancy text converter similar to this), to generate a creative-looking instagram, facebook, tumblr, or twitter post, for showing up n00bs on Steam, or just for sending messages full of beautiful text to your buddies.
Babbel
babbel.com › en › magazine › fancy-words
Fancy Words That Will Elevate Your Vocabulary
February 13, 2025 - In the vast tapestry of the English language, there exists a treasure trove of words that can transform your everyday communication into something truly extraordinary. These fancy words, often referred to as “ten-dollar words” or “SAT words,” have the power to elevate your writing, enhance your speech, and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Reader's Digest
rd.com › knowledge › grammar & spelling
Fancy Words That Will Make You Sound Smarter | Reader's Digest
July 11, 2025 - Try: Lucid to put a literary spin on your clear-mindedness. Because lucid comes from the Latin adjective lucidus, meaning shining, it’s the perfect word for intelligent thinking that lets light shine through the confusion. Sometimes you want to sling a fancy word, but other times, you want goofy gems like bang!
Bigwords
bigwords.com › bigwordslist
A List of Big Words - Find a big word for any word | BIGWORDS.com
Find Big Words - Type in what you're looking for and we'll hook you up with the longest English words we can think of.
Wikihow
wikihow.com › education and communications › studying › english › english vocabulary › 150+ big words to sound smart in every area of your life
150+ Big Words to Sound Smart in Every Area of Your Life
August 23, 2025 - Sound like the ultimate fancy-pants when conversing about the arts. If you’ve always felt slightly intimidated by your artsy group of friends who can speak at length about Monet, Rimbaud, and Cezanne, look no further! Show them how “compelling” and “lyrical” you can be— they’ll wonder why you’ve been holding out on them this whole time![7] X Research source · Alliteration: the repetition of identical sounds at the start of words...
Parade
parade.com › living › big-words
150 Big Words That Will Make You Sound Fancy and Smart
May 30, 2025 - From ‘bibble’ to ‘xiphoid,’ we’ve gathered a list of strange and crazy words.
QuillBot
quillbot.com › home › 40 smart words | meanings & examples
40 Smart Words | Meanings & Examples
September 7, 2025 - Some smart words are “acquiesce,” “capacious,” “esoteric,” “idiosyncrasy,” “Machiavellian,” “ostentatious,” “sagacious,” and “trepidation.”
Vocabulary.com
vocabulary.com › lists › 258109
100 Words to Make You Sound Smart - Vocabulary List | Vocabulary.com
A vocabulary list featuring 100 Words to Make You Sound Smart.
Scary Mommy
scarymommy.com › lifestyle
Calling All Sesquipedalians! 150+ Big Words To Enhance Your Vocabulary
July 19, 2024 - So, here are some fun big words for good, words for beautiful, and — of course — the fanciest of words to express love.
Word Warriors
wordwarriors.wayne.edu › list
Words that deserve wider use - Word Warriors - Wayne State University
Here's a list of neglected but eminently useful words that visitors to this site -- and we, to be downright honest -- would like to bring back into fashion. You're right -- some never have been in fashion, but perhaps they deserve to be. Many submissions have been edited for content, grammar and especially for accuracy.
Twinkl
twinkl.com › blog › fancy-words-and-their-meanings
Fancy Words and Their Meanings
July 3, 2023 - Instantly access Twinkl's printable and digital K-12 teaching resources, including worksheets, eBooks, games, PowerPoints, Google Slides, and more!
LanguageTool
languagetool.org › home › fifteen big english words to help you sound smart
Fifteen Big English Words To Help You Sound Smart
June 12, 2025 - Have you ever found yourself amidst a conversation filled with words beyond your comprehension? It’s not a fun place to be, so to help you avoid that, we’ll teach you fifteen advanced English words that will make people believe you’re a human dictionary.
YourDictionary
yourdictionary.com › vocabulary › glossaries › 40 big words that make an impact in speech and writing
40 Big Words That Make an Impact In Speech and Writing | YourDictionary
January 9, 2023 - Whether you’re writing an essay or speaking in front of a group, there are certain big words you can use to impress your audience.
BBC
bbc.co.uk › newsround › 40782513
13 fancy words to use to boggle people's minds - BBC Newsround
August 2, 2017 - Sentence to use it in: As someone who is quite sesquipedalian, I make it my mission to use loads of long words in all my conversations. ... Sentence to use it in: Any hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobics are going to really hate me with my new vocabulary. ... Means: It is the name of a Welsh village and is the longest place name in the UK! Pronounced: Llan-vire-pooll-gwin-gill-goh-gare-uh-win-drorb-ooll-llanty-sillyoh-gohgohgoh · Sentence to use it in: Fancy a trip to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch this summer?
Quora
quora.com › What-do-you-call-a-person-who-uses-big-words-to-sound-smart
What do you call a person who uses big words to sound smart? - Quora
Answer (1 of 89): potentially on the spectrum… I’m on the spectrum, people think I’m full of shit, but my accomplishments speak for themselves. I have little to no social skill, and with that; I have to sell “what I can do” and “the things I know”, rather than my “social skills”, ...
Busuu
busuu.com › en › english › cool-words
45 Cool Words in English that you Need to Know - Busuu
Discover 45 cool words in English that you can use to impress your friends. Learn the meaning, pronunciation, and how to use these cool English words.
Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › wordplay › obscure & fun › great big list of beautiful and useless words, vol. 1 | merriam-webster
Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 1 | Merriam-Webster
May 5, 2025 - Degree of Usefulness: We could all probably benefit from this word here and there. An Example: And the same shall wee also doe, as often as with sorrow and griefe wee discusse and recogitate our sinnes. — Richard Middleton, The Heavenly Progresse, 1617 · Definition: bold or courageous under the influence of alcoholic drink · Degree of Usefulness: A fancy way of saying you have liquid courage, pot-valiant is useful for describing those occasions when over-imbibing convinces one that hopping onto a mechanical bull is a good idea.
Grammarly
grammarly.com › blog › vocabulary › most-beautiful-english-words
25 Beautiful English Words and Meanings | Grammarly
November 14, 2024 - There are many beautiful words in the English language, but some of the most beautiful include aurora, crystalline, ethereal, euphoria, halcyon, incandescent, and serendipity. Although…