8 Unusual English Words That Will Astonish Every English Language Learner
The English language is a rich tapestry of words, idioms, and expressions, often surprising even native speakers with its vast vocabulary. For students of English, exploring the language can be both fascinating and perplexing.
Amidst the familiar words, there are hidden gems that rarely make an appearance in everyday conversations. Here are the seven unusual English words that are sure to intrigue and astonish every student of the English language, no matter of their lever!
Sesquipedalian (ses-kwuh-pi-dey-lee-uhn)
Derived from Latin, “sesquipedalian” is an adjective used to describe a long word or someone who uses long and elaborate words in their speech or writing. The term itself is a beautiful irony, as it is, indeed, a sesquipedalian word.
Embrace this word and you might impress your friends or confound your enemies, but be careful not tocome across as pretentious!
Defenestration (dee-fen-es-tray-shun)
Defenestration is the action of forcefully ejecting a person or object through a window. While it might sound like an uncommon occurrence, the word itself has a fascinating historical significance.
It gained prominence after two major incidents: the Defenestration of Prague in 1618 and the Defenestration of Munich in 1619, both of which were pivotal events in the lead-up to the Thirty Years’ War.
Petrichor (peh-tri-kawr)
Petrichor is a delightful word that refers to the pleasant, earthy smell that comes after a rainfall, particularly when rain falls on dry ground. The term originates from Greek, where “petros” means stone, and “ichor” refers to the ethereal essence flowing through the veins of the gods. Together, petrichor captures nature’s aromatic poetry after a refreshing shower.
Petrichor is definitely one of the beautiful and positive words that start with P you should add to your vocabulary!
Discombobulate (dis-kum-bob-yuh-layt)
A playful and quirky term, “discombobulate” is a verb that means to confuse, disconcert, or upset someone. Its origin is uncertain, but it first appeared in the late 19th century in the United States. It’s an enjoyable word to use when you find yourself disoriented or flustered by an unexpected situation.
Funnily enough, if you use this word talking to someone, they may start to feel discombobulated!
Limerence (lim-er-uhns)
Coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in the 1970s, limerence is an intricate and often bewildering emotion that describes the intense infatuation, obsession, or romantic attraction one person feels toward another. It involves a heightened state of euphoria and longing, akin to being “madly in love.” Limerence can lead to joy and excitement, but it can also be overwhelming and unpredictable.
Callipygian (kal-uh-pij-ee-uhn)
A word that paints a vivid picture, “callipygian” is an adjective used to describe someone with beautifully shaped and well-defined buttocks. It originates from the Greek term “kallipygos,” which refers to a statue of the goddess Aphrodite known for her shapely rear.
While this word may not be commonly used, it certainly adds a touch of elegance when describing an alluring physique. So, if you are writing a book, a poem or an article, be sure to use this word as it will impress others and awaken their curiosity.
Serendipity (seh-ruhn-di-puh-tee)
The concept of serendipity was first introduced by Horace Walpole, an English writer, in the 18th century. The term was coined by him, taking inspiration from the “The Three Princes of Serendip” fairy tale, where three princes stumbled upon unexpected discoveries during their travels.
Serendipity is not something that can be forced or planned; it happens spontaneously. It’s that magical moment when you find what you were not actively searching for. It could be stumbling upon a new job opportunity while waiting for a bus, discovering a hidden gem of a restaurant in an unfamiliar city, or even meeting your soulmate in the most unexpected circumstances.
Encountering such a delightful and unforeseen marvel like serendipity is undeniably a positive encounter, which is why it finds its place in many compilations of positive words that start with S.
Philoprogenitive (fil-uh-proj-uh-nuh-tiv)
The term “philoprogenitive” originates from the combination of the Greek terms “philos” meaning loving, and “progeneia” meaning offspring. This adjective is employed to express an affection towards children or a propensity for having numerous progeny. It implies a nurturing and parental nature. This word is a perfect example of how English can pack a profound meaning into a single term.
Final Word
The English language is a treasure trove of unusual and fascinating words, and exploring them can be an exciting journey for every student of the language. From sesquipedalian verbosity to the earthy fragrance of petrichor, these words add depth and color to our linguistic landscape.
Whether you use them to impress your peers or simply to deepen your understanding of the language, these seven unusual English words will undoubtedly surprise and intrigue you, opening the door to an even greater appreciation of the intricacies of the English language.
