Want to start sounding smart, start using the coolest words in the English language. Keep in mind that some of these words aren’t found in some dictionaries because they are so unusual and rare.  Courtesy of vocabula.com

A

Aberrant (AB-er-ent)   — deviating from the proper course

Abominable (ah-BOM-ah-nah-ble) —Unequivocally detestable; loathsome. 2. Thoroughly unpleasant or disagreeable

Acquiesce (ak-wee-ES) — to consent or comply passively or without protest

Adumbrate (AD-um-brat) — 1. To give a sketchy outline of. 2. To prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow. 3. To disclose partially or guardedly. 4. To overshadow; shadow or obscure

Affinity (ah-FIN-i-tee) — 1. A natural attraction, liking, or feeling of kinship. 2. Relationship by marriage. 3. An inherent similarity between persons or things. 4. A relationship or resemblance in structure between species that suggests a common origin.

Alacrity (ah-LAK-ri-tee) — 1. Cheerful willingness; eagerness. 2. Speed or quickness;

Amalgamate (ah-MAL-gah-mate) — 1. To combine into a unified or integrated whole; unite. 2. To mix or alloy (a metal) with mercury.

Animadversion (an-ah-mad-VUR-zhen)   — strong criticism; a critical or censorious remark

Annihilate (ah-NI-ah-late) — 1. To destroy completely; to reduce to nonexistence; to defeat decisively; vanquish. 2. To nullify or render void; abolish.

Antilogy (an-TIL-oh-jee) — 1. A contradiction in ideas, statements, or terms. 2. A contradiction between any words or passages in an author

Aplomb (ah-PLOM) — self-confident assurance; poise

Apolaustic (ap-ah-LOS-tik) — devoted to enjoyment

Apollonian (ap-ah-LO-nee-an) — characterized by clarity, harmony, and restraint; serene, calm

Apotropaic (ap-ah-troh-PAY-ik) — intended to ward off evil

Appersonation (ap-PER-so-nay-shen) — the delusion that one is a famous person

Assuage (ah-SWAJ) — 1. To make (something burdensome or painful) less intense or severe. 2. To satisfy or appease (hunger or thirst, for example). 3. To pacify or calm

Audacity (auh-DAS-i-tee) — 1. Fearless daring; intrepidity. 2. Bold or insolent heedlessness of restraints, as of those imposed by prudence, propriety, or convention. 3. An act or instance of intrepidity or insolent heedlessness.

Auric (OR-ik) — of, relating to, derived from, or containing gold.

Autodidact (aw-toh-DI-dakt) — a self-taught person.

Avalanche (AV-ah-lanch) — 1. A fall or slide of a large mass, as of snow or rock, down a mountainside. 2. A massive or overwhelming amount; a flood

Axiology (ak-see-OL-ah-jee) — the study of the nature of values and value judgments.

Azure (AZH-er) — 1. A light purplish blue. 2. The color blue. 3. The blue sky

B

Bailiwick (BAY-li-wik)   — one's particular area of activity, interest, or authority

Betwixt (bi-TWIKST) — between.

Bliss (BLIS) — 1. Extreme happiness; ecstasy. 2. The ecstasy of salvation; spiritual joy

Boeotian (be-OH-shen)   — stupid; dull

Borborygmus (bor-bah-RIG-mes)   — a rumbling noise produced by the movement of gas through the intestines

Brobdingnagian (brob-ding-NAG-ee-an) immense; enormous

Brouhaha (BROO-ha-ha) — an uproar; a hubbub

Bungalow (BUNG-ah-low) — 1. A small house or cottage usually having a single story and sometimes an additional attic story. 2. A thatched or tiled one-story house in India surrounded by a wide veranda

C

Cachinnation (kak-ah-NA-shen) — a loud, hard, convulsive laugh; a guffaw

Cacology (kah-KOL-ah-je)   — bad choice or use of words

Cacophony (kah-KOF-ah-nee) — 1. Jarring, discordant sound; dissonance. 2. The use of harsh or discordant sounds in literary composition

Catachresis (kat-ah-KRE-sis) — the incorrect use of a word or phrase

Cataclysmic (kat-ah-KLIZ-mik) — severely destructive

Cherish (CHER-ish) — 1. To treat with affection and tenderness; hold dear. 2. To keep fondly in mind; entertain.

Chimera (ki-MIR-ah) — 1. An organism, organ, or part consisting of two or more tissues of different genetic composition, produced as a result of organ transplant, grafting, or genetic engineering; a substance, such as an antibody, created from the proteins or genes or two different species.

Chthonic (THON-ik)   — of or relating to the underworld

Cicatrix (SIK-ah-triks) — a scar left by the formation of new connective tissue over a healing sore or wound

Circa (SUR-kah) — in approximately; about.

Clandestine (klan-DESD-tine) — done in secret; needing to be concealed.

Clatterfart (KLAT-er-fart) — a chatterer; babbler

Clishmaclaver (KLISH-mah-klay-ver) — casual chat or gossip

Cockalorum (kok-ah-LOR-em) — 1. A little man with an unduly high opinion of himself. 2. Boastful talk; braggadocio

Concatenate (kon-KAT-i-nate) — to connect or link in a series or chain.

Connoisseur (kon-ah-SUR) — 1. A person with expert knowledge or training, especially in the fine arts. 2. A person of informed and discriminating taste.

Contumely (KON-too-mah-lee)   — rudeness or contempt arising from haughtiness; insolence

Conundrum (kah-NUN-drum) — 1. A riddle in which a fanciful question is answered by a pun. 2. A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma

Coprolalia (kop-rah-LA-lee-ah) — 1. The uncontrolled, often obsessive use of obscene or scatological language that may accompany certain mental disorders. 2. Foul speech

Corpulent (KOR-pyah-lent)   — excessively fat

Crepuscule (kri-PUS-kyool) — twilight; dusk

Cuckold (KUK-old) — a man married to an unfaithful wife.

Cygnet (SIG-nit) — a young swan.

D

Dearth (DURTH) — 1. A scarce supply; an inadequate amount. 2. A shortage of food; a famine.

Debacle (di-BAH-kel) — 1. A sudden, disastrous collapse, downfall, or defeat; a rout. 2. A total, often ludicrous failure. 3. The breaking up of ice in a river. 4. A violent flood.

Decadence (DEK-ah-dence) — 1. A process, condition, or period of deterioration or decline, as in morals or art; decay. 2. A literary movement especially of late 19th-century France and England characterized by refined aestheticism, artifice, and the quest for new sensations

Defenestrate (dee-FEN-i-strate) — to throw out of a window

Defile (di-FILE) — 1. To make filthy or dirty; pollute. 2. To debase the pureness or excellence of; corrupt. 3. To profane or sully (a reputation, for example). 4. To make unclean or unfit for ceremonial use; desecrate. 5. To violate the chastity of

Delicatessen (del-i-kah-TES-en) — 1. A shop that sells cooked or prepared foods ready for serving; 2. Ready-to-serve foods such as cheeses, cold cooked meats, and salads

Denouement (DAY-noo-man) — 1. The final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot; the events following the climax of a drama or novel in which such a resolution or clarification takes place. 2. The outcome of a sequence of events; the end result

Discombobulate (dis-kom-BOB-yah-late) — to confuse or disconcert; upset; frustrate

Disingenuous (dis-in-JEN-yoo-es) — 1. Not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating. 2. Pretending to be unaware or unsophisticated; faux-na?f.

Dollop (DOL-op)   — a shapeless mass or blob of something

Doryphore (DOR-ee-phor) — one who draws attention to the minor errors made by others, esp. In a pestering manner; a pedantic gadfly

Dystopia (dis-toh-PEE-ah) — 1. An imaginary place or state in which the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror. 2. A work describing such a place or state:

The opposite of a Utopia, usually a city or empire in the future clad in ruin and poor living conditions.

E

Ecdysiast (ek-DEZ-ee-ast)   — a striptease artist

Ecstacy (EK-stah-see) — 1. Intense joy or delight. 2. A state of emotion so intense that one is carried beyond rational thought and self-control. 3. The trance, frenzy, or rapture associated with mystic or prophetic exaltation

Dude, pick it. It's not the drug, man. It's the word.

Effervescence (ef-er-VES-ence) — 1. To give off bubbles of gas. 2. To issue forth in bubbles. 3. To show enthusiasm, excitement, liveliness

Efficacious (ef-i-KAY-shes) — producing or capable of producing a desired effect

Effusive (i-FYOO-siv) — 1. Unrestrained or excessive in emotional expression. 2. Profuse; overflowing

Egregious (i-GREE-jes)   — conspicuously bad or offensive

Eleemosynary (el-ah-MOS-ah-ner-ee)   — of, relating to, or dependent on charity

Empress (EM-pris) — 1. The woman ruler of an empire. 2. The wife or widow of an emperor

Enigma (i-NIG-mah) — 1. One that is puzzling, ambiguous, or inexplicable. 2. A perplexing speech or text; a riddle

Ennui (on-WEE)   — boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest

Ensoul (en-SOL) — 1. To endow with a soul. 2. To place, receive, or cherish in the soul

Ephemeral (i-FEM-er-al) — lasting for a markedly brief time. 2. Lasting or living for only a day, as certain plants and insects do

Epicaricacy (EP-i-kar-ik-i-see) — taking pleasure in other's misfortune;

Equestrian (i-KWES-tree-an) — of or relating to horseback riding or horseback riders

Equinox (EE-kwah-noks) 1. Either of two points on the celestial sphere at which the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator. 2. Either of the two times during a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and when the length of day and night are approximately equal; the vernal equinox or the autumnal equinox

Esoteric (es-ah-TER-ik) — 1. Intended for or understood by only a particular group; of or relating to that which is known by a restricted number of people. 2. Confined to a small group; not publicly disclosed; confidential

Ethereal (i-THIR-ee-el) — 1. Characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; intangible. 2. Highly refined; delicate. 3. Of the celestial spheres; heavenly; not of this world; spiritual. 4. Of or relating to ether

Euphony (YOO-fah-nee)   — agreeable sound

Euphoria (yoo-FOR-ee-ah) — a feeling of great happiness or well-being

Evanescent (ev-ah-NES-ent) — vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor

Eviscerate (i-VIS-ah-ate) — 1. To remove the entrails of; disembowel. 2. To take away a vital or essential part of. 3. To remove the contents of an organ. 4. To remove an organ from a patient

F

Facetious (fah-SEE-shes) — playfully jocular; humorous

Fastidious (fah-STID-ee-es) — 1. Possessing or displaying careful, meticulous attention to detail. 2. Difficult to please; exacting. 3. Excessively scrupulous or sensitive, especially in matters of taste or propriety

Faux pas (foh-PAH) — a social blunder

Febrile (FEB-rel) of, relating to, or characterized by fever; feverish

Fecund (FEE-kund) — 1. Capable of producing offspring or vegetation; fruitful. 2. Marked by intellectual productivity

Feral (FER-el) — 1. In a wild state, especially after having been domesticated. 2. Resembling a wild animal.

Flapdoodle (FLAP-dood-el) — foolish talk; nonsense

Flibbertigibbet (FLIB-er-tee-jib-it) — a silly, scatterbrained, or garrulous person

Fond (FOND) — 1. Having a strong liking, inclination, or affection. 2. Affectionate; tender. 3. Immoderately affectionate or indulgent; doting. 4. Cherished; dear

Foofaraw (FOO-fah-ro) — 1. Unnecessary things added for ornamentation; excessive or flashy ornamentation; frills. 2. A fuss over a trifling matter

Frippery (FRIP-i-ree) — 1. Pretentious, showy finery. 2. Pretentious elegance; ostentation. 3. Something trivial or nonessential

Fuliginous (fyoo-LIJ-i-nous) — 1. Sooty. 2. Dark; dusky

Fulminate (FUL-mah-nate) — 1. To issue a thunderous verbal attack or denunciation. 2. To explode or detonate

Funambulism (fyoo-NAM-byah-liz-em) — tightrope walking

Fungible (FUN-ji-ble) — 1. Being of such a nature that one part or quantity may be replaced by another equal part or quantity in the satisfaction of an obligation. 2. Interchangeable

Fustigate (FUS-ti-gate) — 1. To beat with a club; cudgel. 2. To criticize harshly

Futilitarian (FYOO-til-i-tar-ee-an) — one who holds the view that human endeavor is futile

G

Gallivant (GAL-ah-vant)   — to roam about in search of pleasure or amusement

Gar?onnière (gar-son-NYER) a bachelor's apartment or quarters

Gargantuan (gar-GAN-choo-en) of immense size, volume, or capacity; gigantic

Gelid (JEL-id) — very cold; icy

Gesticulate (je-STIK-yah-late) — to make gestures especially while speaking, as for emphasis

Gigglesome (GIG-el-sum) — prone to giggling

Glisten (GLIS-en) — to shine by reflection with a sparkling luster

Grandiloquent (gran-DIL-ah-kwent) — using high-flown, pompous, bombastic words and expressions

H

Hebetudinous (heb-i-TOOD-i-nes)   — dull-minded; mentally lethargic

Heebie-jeebies (hee-bee-JEE-beez)   — nervousness; jitters

Hoarfrost (HOR-frost) — frozen dew that forms a white coating on a surface

Homeostasis (ho-mee-oh-STA-sis) — the ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes

Homologate (hah-MOL-ah-gate) — 1. To approve. 2. To confirm officially

Hubris (HYOO-bris) — excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.

Hullabaloo (HUL-ah-bah-loo) — great noise or excitement; uproar

Hyperbole (hi-PUR-bah-lee) — a deliberate exaggeration of speech or writing used for effect.

I

Inchoate (in-KOH-it) 1. In an initial or early stage; incipient. 2. Imperfectly formed or developed.

Idiosyncrasy (id-ee-oh-SING-krah-see) — a peculiarity of physical or mental constitution or temperament; a characteristic belonging to, and distinguishing, an individual

Idoneous (i-DOH-nee-es) — appropriate; suitable; proper; fit; adequate

Ignoramus (ig-nah-RAY-mes) — an ignorant person

Impecunious (im-pi-KYOO-nee-es) — lacking money; penniless

Impervious (im-PUR-vee-es) — 1. Incapable of being penetrated. 2. Incapable of being affected

Incognito (in-kog-NEE-toe) — with one's identity disguised or concealed

Incondite (in-KON-dit) — 1. Poorly constructed. 2. Lacking finish or refinement; crude

Incongruous (in-KONG-groo-es) — 1. Lacking in harmony; incompatible. 2. Not in agreement, as with principles; inconsistent. 3. Not in keeping with what is correct, proper, or logical; inappropriate

Indubitably (in-DOO-bi-tah-blee) — unquestionably; without doubt

Ineluctable (in-i-LUK-tah-ble) — unable to be resisted or avoided; inevitable

Insouciant (in-SOO-see-ant) — marked by blithe unconcern; nonchalant

Isocheim (I-so-kime) — a line connecting places on the earth having the same mean winter temperature

Isthmus (IS-mes) — 1. A narrow strip of land connecting two larger masses of land. 2. A narrow strip of tissue joining two larger organs or parts of an organ; a narrow passage connecting two larger cavities

J

Jejune (je-JOON)   — not interesting, dull, empty; childish; lacking in nutrition

Jocularity (JOK-yah-lar-i-tee)   — joking speech or behavior

Juvenescent (joo-vah-NES-ent) — becoming young or youthful

K

Kakistocracy (kak-i-STOK-rah-see)   — government by the worst or least qualified citizens

Kerfuffle (ker-FUF-el) — a disorderly outburst or tumult

Kismet (KIZ-met) — fate; fortune

L

Lachrymose (LAK-rah-mos) — 1. Weeping or inclined to weep; tearful. 2. Causing or tending to cause tears.

Lackadaisical (lak-ah-DA-zi-kel) — lacking spirit, liveliness, or interest; languid

Lagniappe (LAN-yap) — 1. A small gift presented by a storeowner to a customer with the customer's purchase. 2. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit.

Lambent (LAM-bent) — 1. Flickering lightly over or on a surface. 2. Effortlessly light or brilliant. 3. Having a gentle glow; luminous

Laminar (LAM-ah-ner) — composed of, or arranged in

Lethologica (lee-tho-LO-gi-ca) — 1. The inability to remember the right word. 2. A psychological disorder that inhibits an individual's ability to articulate thoughts by temporarily forgetting key words, phrases, or names in conversation

Libertine (LIB-er-teen) — 1. One who acts without moral restraint; a dissolute person. 2. One who defies established religious precepts; a freethinker

Limpid (LIM-pid) 1. Characterized by transparent clearness; pellucid. 2. Easily intelligible; clear. 3. Calm and untroubled; serene

Lissome (LIS-em) 1. Easily bent; supple. 2. Having the ability to move with ease; limber

Logomachy (lah-GOM-ah-kee) 1. A dispute about words. 2. A battle of words

Loathsome (LOTH-sum) arousing loathing; abhorrent

Logorrhea (log-ah-REE-ah)   — excessive, incoherent talkativeness

Lollop (LOL-op) — to move with a bobbing motion

Loquacious (lo-KWA-shes) — very talkative; garrulous

Louche (LOOSH) — of questionable taste or morality; decadent

Lucubrate (loo-KYOO-brate)   — to study diligently; to write in a scholarly way

Lugubrious (loo-GOO-bree-es) — mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree

M

Machiavellian (mak-ee-ah-VEL-ee-en) — 1. Of or relating to Machiavelli or Machiavellianism. 2. Suggestive of or characterized by expediency, deceit, and cunning.

Machination (mak-ah-NA-shen) — 1. The act of plotting. 2. A crafty scheme or cunning design for the accomplishment of a sinister end

Majuscule (mah-JUS-kyool) — a large letter, either capital or uncial, used in writing or printing.

Malacophonous (mal-ah-KOF-i-nus) — having a soft voice

Masticate (MAS-ti-kate) — 1. To chew (food). 2. To grind and knead (rubber, for example) into a pulp

Maudlin (MOD-lin) — effusively or tearfully sentimental.

Megalomaniac (meg-ah-lo-MAN-ee-ak) — 1. A person with a psycho pathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence. A person who has an obsession with grandiose or extravagant things or actions

Melancholy (MEL-an-kol-ee) — 1. A gloomy state of mind, esp. When habitual or prolonged; depression. 2. Sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness.

Mellifluous (mah-LIF-loo-es)   — sweetly flowing; smooth and sweet

Mendacity (men-DAS-i-tee)   — a lie; falsehood

Metanoia (MET-ah-noi-ah) — a profound, usually spiritual, transformation; a conversion or awakening.

Miasma (mi-AZ-mah) — 1. A noxious atmosphere or influence. 2. A poisonous atmosphere formerly thought to rise from swamps and putrid matter and cause disease; a thick vaporous atmosphere or emanation

Milquetoast (MILK-toast) — one who has a meek, timid, unassertive nature

A humorous word i've seen used by George Saunders in civilwarland in Bad Decline.

Misanthropy (mis-AN-thra-pee) — hatred or mistrust of humankind

Misogyny (mi-SOJ-ah-nee) — hatred of women

Monophagous (moh-NAF-ah-ges) — eating only one kind of food

Mulct (MULKT)   — 1. To penalize by fining or demanding forfeiture. 2. To acquire by trickery or deception. 3. To swindle or defraud

Myriad (MIR-ee-ed) — a vast number; originally, ten thousand

Myrmidon (MUR-mi-don) — 1. A member of a warlike Thessalonian people who were ruled by Achilles and followed him on the expedition against Troy. 2. A faithful follower who carries out orders without question

Mythomania (mith-oh-MAY-nee-ah) — a compulsion to exaggerate or tell lies

N

Nadir (NA-dir) — 1. A point on the celestial sphere directly below the observer, diametrically opposite the zenith. 2. The lowest point

Nebulous (NEB-yah-les) — 1. Cloudy, misty, or hazy. 2. Lacking definite form or limits; vague. 3. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a nebula

Necromancy (NEK-roh-man-see) — 1. The practice of supposedly communicating with the spirits of the dead in order to predict the future. 2. Black magic; sorcery. 3. Magic qualities

Nefarious (nah-FAR-ee-es) — infamous by way of being extremely wicked

Nepenthe (ni-PEN-thee) — 1. A drug mentioned in the Odyssey as a remedy for grief. 2. Something that induces forgetfulness of sorrow or eases pain

Nescience (NESH-ee-ence) — absence of knowledge or awareness; ignorance

Nihilistic (ni-ah-LIS-tik) — 1. Believing all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. 2. Rejecting all distinctions in moral or religious value and repudiating all previous theories of morality or religious belief. 3. Believing that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement. 4. Having the delusion that the world or one's mind, body, or self does not exist

Noctilucous (nok-ti-LYOO-kes) — shining in the night

Nuance (NOO-ans) — 1. A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation. 2. Expression or appreciation of subtle shades of meaning, feeling, or tone

Nullipara (nah-LIP-er-ah) — a woman who has never given birth

O

Obfuscate (ob-fah-SKAT) — 1. To make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand. 2. To render indistinct or dim; darken

Oblivion (ah-BLIV-ee-on) — 1. The condition or quality of being completely forgotten. 2. The act or an instance of forgetting; total forgetfulness. 3. Official overlooking of offenses; amnesty.

Obloquy (OB-lah-kwee)   — verbal abuse of a person or thing

Obsequious (ob-SEE-kwee-es) full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning

Obstreperous (ob-STREP-er-es) — noisily defiant; aggressively boisterous.

Octogenarian (ok-tah-jah-NAR-ee-an) — a person between 80 and 90 years of age.

Odious (OH-dee-es)   — repugnant; hateful

Officious (ah-FISH-es)   — meddlesome; unnecessarily or obtrusively ready to offer advice or services

Oleaginous (oh-lee-AJ-i-nes) — 1. Of or relating to oil. 2. Falsely or smugly earnest; unctuous

Oneiric (oh-NI-rik) — of, relating to, or suggestive of dreams.

Onomatopoeia (on-ah-mat-ah-PEE-ah) — a word or a grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing, suggesting its source object, such as "click," "buzz," or "bluuuh," or animal noises such as "oink," "quack," or "meow"

Ophidian (oh-FID-ee-an) of, relating to, or resembling snakes

Opulent (OP-yah-lent) — 1. Having or exhibiting great wealth; affluent. 2. Characterized by rich abundance; luxuriant

Otiose (OH-she-os)   — lazy, indolent; useless; ineffective, futile

Oxymoron (ok-see-MOR-on) — a rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in "a deafening silence" and "a mournful optimist"

P

Pandiculation (pan-dik-yoo-LA-shen) — yawning and stretching (as when first waking up).

Panegyric (pan-i-JIR-ik) — a eulogistic oration or writing; formal or elaborate praise

Paraphernalia (par-ah-fer-NAL-yah) — 1. Personal belongings. 2. The articles used in a particular activity; equipment. 3. A married woman's personal property exclusive of her dowry, according to common law.

Parsimonious (par-si-MO-nee-es) — excessively sparing or frugal

Pataflafla (PAT-ah-flah-flah) — a four-note pattern with flams on the first and last

Paucity (PAU-si-tee) — 1. Smallness in number; fewness. 2. Scarcity; dearth

Peculiar (pi-KYOOL-yer) — 1. Unusual or eccentric; odd. 2. Distinct from all others. 3. Belonging distinctively or primarily to one person, group, or kind; special or unique

Penchant (PEN-chant) — a definite liking; a strong inclination

Penultimate (pi-NUL-tah-mit)   — next to last

Penumbra (pi-NUM-bra) — 1. A partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination. 2. The grayish outer part of a sunspot. 3. An area in which something exists to a lesser or uncertain degree. 4. An outlying surrounding region; a periphery.

Perambulate (pe-RAM-byah-late)   — walk through, about, or over; stroll

Peregrinate (PER-i-gri-nate) — to journey or travel from place to place, especially on foot

Perseverate (per-SEV-er-ate) to manifest or experience perseveration: uncontrollable repetition of a particular response, such as a word, phrase, or gesture, despite the absence or cessation of a stimulus, usually caused by brain injury or other organic disorder; the tendency to continue or repeat an act or activity after the cessation of the original stimulus

Persiflage (PUR-sah-flazh)   — banter; light, good-natured talk

Perspicacious (pur-spi-KAY-shes)   — having keen judgment or understanding; acutely perceptive

Petrichor (pi-TREE-kor) — the distinctive scent that accompanies the first rain after a long warm dry spell

Phalanges (pha-LAN-jeez) — a bone of a finger or toe

Phalanx (FA-langks)   — a compact group of people

Phantasmagoria (fan-taz-mah-GOR-ee-ah) 1. A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever; a constantly changing scene composed of numerous elements. 2. Fantastic imagery as represented in art

Phobophobia (fo-bah-FO-bee-ah) — a morbid dread or fear of developing a phobia

Pilgarlic (pil-GAR-lik)   — a bald-headed man

Plausible (PLAU-zi-ble) — 1. Seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; credible. 2. Giving a deceptive impression of truth or reliability. 3. Disingenuously smooth; fast-talking

Pleonasm (PLEE-ah-naz-em) 1. The use of more words than are required to express an idea; redundancy. 2. A superfluous word or phrase

Poltroon (pol-TROON)   — a contemptible coward

Polymath (POL-ee-math) — a person of great or varied learning

Pompous (POM-pes) 1. Characterized by excessive self-esteem or exaggerated dignity; pretentious. 2. Full of high-sounding phrases; bombastic. 3. Chracterized by pomp or stately display; ceremonious.

Puerile (PYOOR-ile) — 1. Belonging to childhood; juvenile. 2. Immature; childish

Pulchritudinous (pul-kri-TOOD-en-es) — having great physical beauty or appeal

Pusillanimous (pyoo-sah-LAN-ah-mes)   — timid or cowardly; fainthearted

Pyrrhic (PIR-ik) — (of a victory) won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor

Q

Quatopygia (kwah-tah-PIJ-ee-ah) — the shaking of the buttocks while walking

Quidnunc (KWID-nungk)   — a busybody; a nosy person

Quiescent (kwi-ES-ent) — being quiet, still, or at rest; inactive

Quintessential (kwin-tuh-SEN-shel) — of, relating to, or having the nature of a quintessence; being the most typical

Quixotic (kwik-SOT-ik)   — extravagantly chivalrous or romantic

Quotidian (kwo-TID-ee-an)   — daily; everyday; commonplace

R

Ragpicker (RAG-pik-er) — one who makes a living scavenging rags and other refuse

Rambunctious (ram-BUNGK-shes) boisterous and disorderly

Ravenous (RAV-ah-nes) — 1. Extremely hungry; voracious. 2. Rapacious; predatory. 3. Greedy for gratification

Recherche (rah-sher-SHAY) — 1. Uncommon; rare. 2. Exquisite; choice. 3.

Overrefined; forced. 4. Pretentious; overblown

Reconnoiter (ree-kah-NOI-ter)   — to make a preliminary inspection; to look around

Repellant (ri-PEL-ent) — 1. Serving or tending to repel; able to repel. 2. Inspiring aversion or distaste; repulsive. 3. Resistant or impervious to a substance

Resplendent (ri-SPLEN-dent) — splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant

Reticulate (ri-TIK-yah-lat) — resembling or forming a net or network

Reverie (REV-ah-ree) — 1. A state of abstracted musing; daydreaming. 2. A daydream

Reverberate (ri-VUR-bah-rate) — 1. To resound in a succession of echoes; reecho. 2. To have a prolonged or continuing effect. 3. To be repeatedly reflected, as sound waves, heat, or light. 4. To be forced or driven back; recoil or rebound

Ribaldry (RI-bal-dree)   — coarse language or humor

Ricochet (RIC-ah-shay)   — to rebound

Rive (RIVE) — 1. To rend or tear apart. 2. To break into pieces; cleave or split asunder. 3. To break or distress (the spirit, for example).

Rodomontade (rod-ah-mon-TADE) — pretentious boasting or bragging; bluster

S

Sagacity (sah-GAS-i-tee) — the quality of being discerning, sound in judgment, and farsighted; wisdom

Just love how it sounds; the meaning is something we can all strive for.

Salubrious (sah-LOO-bree-es)   — conducive to health or well-being

Sanctimonious (sangk-tah-MOH-nee-es) — feigning piety or righteousness

Schadenfreude (SHAD-en-froi-dah)   — pleasure derived from another's misfortune

Scurrilous — (SKUR-ah-les) 1. Given to the use of vulgar, coarse, or abusive language. 2. Expressed in vulgar, coarse, or abusive language

Senescence (si-NES-sence)   — growing old; aging

Serendipity (ser-en-DIP-i-tee) — 1. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. 2. The fact or occurrence of such discoveries. 3. An instance of making such a discovery

Sesquipedalian (ses-kwi-pi-DAY-lee-en) — 1. Given to using long words. 2. (of a word) containing many syllables

Shibboleth (SHIB-ah-lith) — 1. A word or pronunciation that distinguishes people of one group or class from those of another. 2. A word or phrase identified with a particular group or cause; a catchword; a commonplace saying or idea. 3. A custom or practice that betrays one as an outsider

Sialic (sigh-AL-ik) — having or having the characteristics of saliva

Sidereal (sigh-DIR-ee-el) — 1. Of, relating to, or concerned with the stars or constellations; stellar. 2. Measured or determined by means of the apparent daily motion of the stars.

Siderodromophobia (si-der-oh-droh-moh-PHO-bee-ah) — fear of trains, railroads, or train travel

Skulk (SKULK) — 1. To lie in hiding, as out of cowardice or bad conscience; lurk. 2. To move about stealthily. 3. To evade work or obligation; shirk.

Skullduggery (skul-DUG-ah-ree) — crafty deception or trickery or an instance of it

Sluice (SLOOS) — n. 1. An artificial channel for conducting water, with a valve or gate to regulate the flow; a valve or gate used in such a channel; a floodgate. 2. A body of water impounded behind a floodgate. 3. A sluiceway. 4. A long inclined trough, as for carrying logs or separating gold ore

Smorgasbord (SMOR-gus-bord) — 1. A buffet meal featuring a varied number of dishes. 2. A varied collection

Soigné (swan-YA) — 1. Showing sophisticated elegance; fashionable. 2. Well-groomed; polished

Soliloquy (sah-LIL-ah-kwee) — 1. A dramatic or literary form of discourse in which a character talks to himself or herself or reveals his or her thoughts without addressing a listener; a specific speech or piece of writing in this form of discourse. 2. The act of speaking to oneself

Solipsism (SOL-ip-siz-em)   — the belief that the self is the only reality

Somnambulism (som-NAM-byah-liz-em) sleepwalking

Soporific (sop-ah-RIF-ik) — 1. Inducing or tending to induce sleep. 2. Drowsy

Spatula (SPACH-ah-lah) — a small implement having a broad, flat, flexible blade that is used to mix, spread, or lift material

Splenetic (spli-NET-ik) — 1. Of or relating to the spleen. 2. Affected or marked by ill humor or irritability

Stentorian (sten-TOR-ee-en)   — very loud

Struthious (STROO-thee-es) — of, relating to, or resembling an ostrich or a related bird; ratite

Sublime (sah-BLIME) — 1. Characterized by nobility; majestic; of high spiritual, moral, or intellectual worth. 2. Not to be excelled; supreme. 3. Inspiring awe; impressive.

Succumb (sah-KUM) — 1. To submit to an overpowering force or yield to an overwhelming desire; give up or give in. 2. To die

Supercilious (soo-per-SIL-ee-es) — feeling or showing haughty disdain

Superfluous (soo-PUR-floo-es) — being beyond what is required or sufficient

Surreptitious (sur-ep-TISH-es) — done or acquired by clandestine means

Susurrus (soo-SUR-es) — a soft, whispering or rustling sound; a murmur

Syzygy (SIZ-ah-jee) — 1. Either of two points in the orbit of a celestial body where the body is in opposition to or in conjunction with the sun. 2. Either of two points in the orbit of the moon when the moon lies in a straight line with the sun and Earth. 3. The configuration of the sun, the moon, and Earth lying in a straight line. 4. The combining of two feet into a single metrical unit in classical prosody

T

Taciturn (TAS-i-turn) — habitually un-talkative; silent

Tadpole (TAD-pol) — the limbless aquatic larva of a frog or toad, having gills and a long flat tail

Taint (TAINT) — 1. To affect with or as if with a disease. 2. To affect with decay or putrefaction; spoil. 3. To corrupt morally. 4. To affect with a tinge of something reprehensible

Tarradiddle (TAR-ah-did-el) — 1. A petty falsehood; a fib. 2. Silly pretentious speech or writing; twaddle

Tatterdemalion (tat-er-di-MAL-yen)   — a ragamuffin

Tergiversate (ter-JIV-er-sate)   — to equivocate; to change sides

Threnody (THREN-ah-dee) — a poem or song of mourning or lamentation

Tintinnabulation (tin-ti-nab-yah-LA-shen) — the ringing or sounding of bells

Tittle (TIT-el) — 1. A small diacritic mark, such as an accent over an e or dot over an i. 2. A tiny amount; a jot or whit.

Tmesis (TME-sis) — separation of the parts of a compound word by one or more intervening words

Topsy-turvy (TOP-see-TUR-vee) — 1. Upside down. 2. In a confused or chaotic state.

Torpid (TOR-pid) — 1. Deprived of the power of motion or feeling; benumbed. 2. Dormant; hibernating. 3. Lethargic; apathetic

Tramontane (trah-MON-tane) — 1. A person who lives beyond the mountains. 2. A foreigner; a stranger. 3. A cold north wind in Italy

Triskaidekaphobia (tris-ki-dek-ah-FO-bee-ah) — an abnormal fear of the number 13

Troglodyte (TROG-lah-dite)   — a cave dweller; recluse

Truculent (TRUK-yoo-lent) — 1. Aggressive and defiant. 2. Displaying great anger and inclined to fight; belligerent

Pugilistic; aggessively assertive; belligerent.

U

Ubiquitous (yoo-BIK-wi-tes)   — being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent

Ululate (UL-ya-late) — to howl, wail, or lament loudly

Usurp (yoo-SURP) — 1. To seize and hold (the power or rights of another, for example) by force and without legal authority. 2. To take over or occupy without right

Undulation (un-jah-LAY-shen)   — movement in waves; a wavy, curving form or outline

Uxorious (uk-SOR-ee-es)   — excessively fond or submissive to one's wife

V

Valedictorian (val-i-dik-TOR-ee-en) — the student with the highest academic rank in a class who delivers the valedictory at graduation.

Valetudinarian (val-i-tood-en-AR-ee-en) — a sickly or weak person, especially one who is constantly and morbidly concerned with his or her health

Verklempt (ver-KLEMPT) — overcome with emotion,

Vertigo (VUR-ti-go) — 1. The sensation of dizziness; an instance of such a sensation. 2. A confused, disoriented state of mind

Vitiate (VISH-ee-ate) — 1. To reduce the value or impair the quality of. 2. To corrupt morally; debase. 3. To make ineffective; invalidate

Volatile (VOL-ah-til) — 1.evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures. 2. Tending to vary often or widely, as in price. 3. Inconstant; fickle. 4. Lighthearted; flighty. 5. Ephemeral; fleeting 6. Tending to violence; explosive. 7.

W

Whimsical (HWIM-zi-kel) — 1. Determined by, arising from, or marked by whim or caprice; unusual, playful, and fanciful. 2. Erratic in behavior or degree of unpredictability

Wanderlust (WON-der-lust) — a strong, irresistible impulse to travel.

Wizen (WIZ-en) — to shrivel up; wither.

X

Xanthippe (zan-THIP-ee) — 1. The wife of Socrates: the prototype of the quarrelsome, scolding wife. 2. A shrewish, nagging wife.

Y

Yesternight (YES-ter-nite) — last night

Z

Zany (ZA-nee) — 1. One who plays the clown or fool in order to amuse others. 2. A comically wild or eccentric person. 3. A secondary stock character in old comedies who mimicked his master. 4. A professional buffoon; clown. 5. A silly person; simpleton. 6. A slavish attendant or follower

Zeitgeist (ZIT-gist) — the spirit of the time; the taste and outlook characteristic of a period or generation

Zephyr (ZEF-er)   — the west wind; a gentle breeze; something that is airy or insubstantial

My favorite word in this list is Clishmaclaver. I love how it rolls off the tongue. Plus, I usually try to avoid people who excessively talk about nothing.

The other day I was in a conference call and this guy wouldn’t stop “small talking”. I ended up saying to him: “If you don’t stop clishmaclavering, I will hang up”. Of course, he continued to talk about nonsense because he had no idea what I meant. Shortly after, I hanged up the phone.

What’s your favorite word and why?

About the Author:
Madou Sylla is a management trainer and a business consultant. He helps companies with smart tools and proven systems to achieve continued profitability and long-term growth. He is the Author of The Top Manager (Proven Tools and Mindset to lead with and edge).