| English | Pronunciation | IPA | Meaning |
|---|
| Aberrant | uh-BER-uhnt | / æˈberənt / | Deviating from the norm or typical behavior. |
| Accede | uhk-seed | / əkˈsiːd / | To consent, give approval; yield to another’s wishes. |
| Accessory | uhk-ses-uh-ree | / əkˈsesəri / | Small thing you wear with clothes to add style. |
| Adamant | AD-uh-muhnt | / ˈædəmənt / | Firmly refusing to change one's mind. |
| Adumbrate | ad-UHM-breyt | / ˈædəmbreɪt / | To give a vague or sketchy outline of. |
| Agoraphobia | uh-gaw-ruh-foh-bee-uh | / ˌæɡərəˈfəʊbiə / | A fear of places or situations that you can't escape from; fear of open spaces. |
| Albeit | all-BEE-it | / ɒlˈbiːət / | Despite the fact that. |
| Alias | ay-lee-uhs | / ˈeɪliəs / | An assumed name taken on temporarily, sometimes by a criminal or fugitive. |
| Almond | AL-muhnd | / ˈɑːmənd / | A small, oval. |
| Anathema | uh-nath-uh-muh | / əˈnæθəmə / | Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes. |
| Anemone | uh-nem-uh-nee | / əˈneməni / | Small plant. |
| Anesthetist | uh-neth-uh-tist | / əˈniːsθətɪst / | An anesthesiologist. |
| Aneurysm | uh-nur-izm | / ˈænjəˌrɪzəm / | Excessive localized swelling of the wall of an artery. |
| Antarctic | ant-aark-tik | / ænˈtɑːktɪk / | Extremely cold region in the Southern part of the world. |
| Anthropomorphism | an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uhm | / ˌænθrəʊpəʊˈmɔːfˌɪzəm / | The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object. |
| Antidisestablishmentarianism | an-teye-dis-es-tab-lish-muhnt-air-ee-uh-niz-uhm | / ˌæntidɪsəˌstæbləʃmənˈteriənɪzəm / | Opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England. |
| Apocryphal | uh-PAHK-ruh-fuhl | / əˈpɑːkrəfl̩ / | Of doubtful authenticity. |
| Archetype | AHR-kih-t | / ˈɑːrkəˌtaɪp / | A very typical example of something. |
| Archipelago | AHR-kih-pel-uh-goh | / ˌɑːrkəˈpeləˌɡoʊ / | A group of islands. |
| Ascetic | ass-et-ick | / əˈsetɪk / | A person who practices extreme self-discipline. |
| Asterisk | ay-stuh-risk | / ˈæstərɪsk / | The symbol: * |
| Athlete | ATH-leet | / ˈæθˌlit / | A person who is skilled in sports or other physical activities. |
| Bacteriology | bak-teer-ee-awl-uh-jee | / bækˌtɪəriˈɒlədʒi / | The study of bacteria. |
| Beguile | bee-gyle | / bɪˈɡaɪl / | To deceive or cheat someone. |
| Blasphemy | blas-fuh-mee | / ˈblæsfəmi / | Speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things. |
| Bouquet | boo-KAY | / buːˈkeɪ / | A bunch of flowers. |
| Bourbon | BER-buhn | / ˈbɝːbən / | A type of whiskey made primarily from corn. |
| Brewery | BREW-uh-ree | / ˈbruːəri / | A place where beer is produced. |
| Broccoli | BROK-uh-lee | / ˈbrɑːkəli / | A green vegetable with a tree-like shape. |
| Buoy | boy | / ˈbuːi / | A floating device used to mark a location or to indicate a navigational hazard. |
| Bureaucracy | byoo-rok-ruh-see | / bjʊəˈrɒkrəsi / | Excessively complex administrative procedures. |
| Bury | BER-ee | / ˈberi / | To put underground, typically in the earth. |
| Cacciatore | kuh-chuh-tawr-ee | / katʃəˈtɔːi / | Prepared in a spicy tomato sauce with mushrooms and herbs. |
| Cache | kash | / ˈkæʃ / | A hiding place for storing away goods. |
| Cacophony | kuh-kof-uh-nee | / kæˈkɒfəni / | Unpleasant mixture of sounds. |
| Cajole | kuh-johl | / kəˈdʒoʊl / | To persuade someone to do something by being very friendly. |
| Callous | kal-us | / ˈkæləs / | Showing no emotion or sympathy; insensitive. |
| Camaraderie | kam-ruh-duh-ree | / ˌkæməˈrɑːdəri / | Easy familiarity and friendship, often built over time. |
| Candidate | KAND-uh-deyt | / ˈkændədet / | A person seeking an office or position. |
| Caramel | kar-uh-mel | / ˈkerəməl / | A sweet, golden brown confectionery made by heating sugar. |
| Caricature | kuh-RIK-uh-cher | / ˈkerəkətʃər / | A representation that exaggerates the characteristic features. |
| Cavalry | KAV-uhl-ree | / ˈkævəlri / | Soldiers trained to fight on horseback. |
| Chaos | KAY-ahs | / ˈkeɪas / | Complete disorder and confusion. |
| Charcuterie | shahr-koo-tuh-REE | / charcuterie / | The branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products. |
| Chauvinism | shoh-vuh-niz-uhm | / ˈʃoʊvɪnɪzəm / | Excessive patriotism, a belief in the superiority of one's own gender. |
| Chimpanzee | chimp-uhn-zee | / ˌtʃɪmpænˈziː / | A type of monkey. |
| Chipotle | chi-poat-lee | /tʃɪˈpɒtleɪ,tʃɪˈpɒtli,tʃɪˈpəʊtleɪ,tʃɪˈpəʊtli/ | Smoked and dried chili pepper. |
| Choir | kwahy-er | / ˈkwaɪər / | A group of singers who perform together. |
| Clothes | klohz | / kloʊðz / | Articles of clothing you wear. |
| Cocoa | koh-KOH | / ˈkokoʊ / | A powder made from ground roasted cocoa beans. |
| Colloquialism | kuh-loh-kwee-uh-liz-uhm | / kəˈləʊkwɪəlɪzəm / | A word, phrase, or expression that is conversational rather than formal. |
| Colonel | ker-nuhl | / ˈkɜːnl̩ / | High ranking officer in the military. |
| Comfortable | kum-fuhr-tuh-buhl | / ˈkʌmftəbl̩ / | Feeling relaxed. |
| Connecticut | kon-uh-NEHK-ut | / kəˈnetɪkət / | A state in the United States. |
| Connoisseur | kon-uh-ser | / ˌkɒnəˈsɜː / | Someone who knows a lot about a particular thing. |
| Conscience | kon-shuhns | / ˈkɒnʃəns / | A person’s moral sense of right or wrong. |
| Coup | koo | / ˈkuː / | A sudden seizure of power from a government. |
| Cryptography | krip-taw-gree-fee | / krɪpˈtɒɡrəfi / | Writing or solving codes. |
| Curmudgeon | kur-muhj-uhn | / kɜːˈmʌdʒən / | Someone who gets annoyed easily. |
| Cyanosis | sy-uh-noh-sis | / ˌsaɪəˈnəʊsɪs / | A bluish discoloration of the skin due to poor circulation. |
| Cytology | sy-taw-luh-jee | / saɪˈtɒlədʒi / | Science concerned with the structure and function of plant and animal cells. |
| Data | day-tuh | / ˈdeɪtə / | Information used for making calculations. |
| Debauch | di-bawch | / dɪˈbɔːtʃ / | To lead away from virtue; to corrupt morally . |
| Debris | DEB-ree | / dəˈbriː / | The remains of something that has been destroyed. |
| Debut | dey-BYOO | / ˈdeɪbjuː / | The first public performance. |
| Decrepit | dih-KREP-it | / dəˈkrepət / | In a very poor condition as a result of age. |
| Defibrillator | dih-FIB-ri-ley-ter | / diˈfɪbrəˌletər / | A medical device that uses electric shock to restart a person's heart. |
| Demagogue | dem-uh-gog | / ˈdeməɡɒɡ / | A political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument. |
| Dengue | DEN-gyoo | / ˈdenɡ / | A viral disease spread by mosquitoes. |
| Deteriorate | dih-TEER-ee-uh-rayt | / dəˈtɪriəˌret / | To become worse in quality or condition. |
| Diaphanous | dy-uh-fuh-nuhs | / daɪˈæfənəs / | Light, delicate, and translucent. |
| Diaphragm | dy-uh-fram | / ˈdaɪəfræm / | An organ for breathing between separation the thorax from the abdomen. |
| Dilate | DY-layt | / daɪˈleɪt / | To make wider or larger. |
| Drawer | draw-er | / drɔː / | Furniture components that slide in and out. |
| Elite | eh-LEET | / əˈliːt / | A group of people of high status. |
| Emollient | i-mawl-yuhnt | / iˈmɒliənt / | Making smoother or less harsh. |
| Entrepreneur | on-truh-pruh-nur | / ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜː / | Someone who owns their own business. |
| Ephemeral | i-fem-uh-rul | / ɪˈfemərəl / | Lasting for a short time. |
| Epistemology | ep-uh-stem-awl-uh-jee | / ɪˌpɪstəˈmɒlədʒi / | A theory of knowledge. |
| Epitome | ep-uh-taw-mee | / ɪˈpɪtəmi / | A person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type. |
| Equanimity | ee-kwuh-nim-uh-tee | / ˌikwəˈnɪməti / | Calmness and composure. |
| Equivocal | ih-KWIV-uh-kuhl | / ɪˈkwɪvəkl̩ / | Open to more than one interpretation. |
| Erinaceous | ehr-uh-nay-shuhs | /ˌɛrɪˈneɪʃəs/ | Relating to a hedgehog. |
| Espouse | i-spowz | / ɪˈspaʊz / | To follow or support an idea or theory as a cause. |
| Espresso | i-spres-oh | / eˈspresəʊ / | A small Italian coffee. |
| Etcetera | et-suh-TEHR-uh | / etˈsetərə / | Expression used to enumerate something. |
| Eulogy | YOO-luh-jee | / ˈjuːlədʒi / | A speech or written tribute in honor of a deceased person. |
| Euouae | yoo-oh-wee | / euouae / | A mnemonic used to recall the sequence of tones in a particular passage of the Gloria Patri. |
| Euthanasia | yoo-thuh-nay-zhuh | / ˌjuːθəˈneɪzɪə / | The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease. |
| Expatiate | iks-pay-shee-ayt | / ɪkˈspeɪʃɪeɪt / | To talk or write in great detail about. |
| Fatuous | fach-oos | / ˈfætʃʊəs / | Foolish, inane; devoid of intelligence. |
| Faux pas | foh PAH | / ˌfoʊ ˈpɑ: / | A socially unacceptable mistake. |
| February | feb-roo-air-ee | / ˈfebjʊəri / | The second month of the year. |
| Film | film | / ˈfɪlm / | A movie or a series. |
| Fiscal | FIS-kuhl | / ˈfɪskl̩ / | Relating to government revenue, especially taxes. |
| Floccinaucinihilipilification | flok-suh-naw-suh-ny-hil-uh-pil-uh-fi-kay-shun | /ˌflɒksɪnɔːsɪˌnɪhɪlɪˌpɪlɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ | The action or habit of estimating something as worthless. |
| Foliage | FOH-lee-ij | / ˈfoʊliɪdʒ / | Leaves of a plant. |
| Foyer | FOY-yer | / ˈfɔɪər / | An entrance hall or lobby. |
| Fuchsia | fyoo-shuh | / ˈfjuːʃə / | A bright pink color or a type of flower. |
| Gauge | gayj | / ˈɡeɪdʒ / | A device for measuring the amount, level, or pressure of something. |
| Genre | ZHAHN-ruh | / ˈʒɑːnrə / | A category of artistic, musical, or literary composition. |
| Gibberish | jib-uh-rish | / ˈdʒɪbərɪʃ / | Senseless talk. |
| GIF | jif | / gif / | A type of animated image. |
| Gourmet | goor-may | / ˈɡʊəmeɪ / | A connoisseur of good food. |
| Grandiloquent | gran-dil-uh-kwuhnt | / ɡrænˈdɪləkwənt / | Extravagant, lofty, or bombastic in style or manner. |
| Hegemony | hi-jem-uh-nee | / hɪˈɡeməni / | Authority, leadership, or influence by a dominant social group. |
| Heinous | HAY-nuhs | / ˈheɪnəs / | Extremely wicked or cruel; evil. |
| Heir | er | / ˈer / | A person who inherits something. |
| Herb | herb | / ˈɝːb / | A plant used for culinary purposes. |
| Heresy | HEHR-uh-see | / ˈherəsi / | A belief that is at odds with established religious doctrine. |
| Hernia | her-nee-uh | / ˈhɜːnɪə / | A condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it. |
| Hierarchy | HAHY-er-ahr-kee | / ˈhaɪəˌrɑːrki / | A system in which people or things are arranged in order of rank or importance. |
| Hors d'oeuvres | or-durv | / ˌɔ: ˈdɜ:v / | Elegant word for starters, loanword from French. |
| Ignominious | ig-nuh-min-ee-uhs | / ˌɪɡnəˈmɪnɪəs / | Very embarrassing. |
| Illinois | il-uh-noy | / ˌɪlə,ˈnɔɪ / | A state in the USA. |
| Inchoate | in-koh-it | / ɪnˈkəʊɪt / | Only partly in existence; partially formed, as in an idea. |
| Infamous | in-FAM-uhs | / ˈɪnfəməs / | Well known for some bad quality or deed. |
| Ingenuity | in-JEN-yoo-uh-tee | / ˌɪndʒəˈnuːəti / | The ability to think of new ideas. |
| Interpret | in-ter-PRIT | / ˌɪnˈtɝːprət / | To explain or give the meaning of something. |
| Ischaemia | is-kee-mee-uh | / ischaemia / | An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body. |
| Island | AYL-land | / ˈaɪlənd / | A piece of land surrounded by water. |
| Isthmus | IZ-muhs | / ˈɪsməs / | A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land masses. |
| Itinerary | ahy-tuh-NAIR-ee | / aɪˈtɪnəˌreri / | A plan of a journey. |
| Jalapeño | ha-luh-peyn-yo | /haləˈpeɪn(j)əʊ,haləˈpiːnəʊ/ | Small green or red pepper. |
| Jaundice | jawn-dis | / ˈdʒɔːndɪs / | The yellowing of the skin, or an adjective meaning bitterness, resentment, or cynicism. |
| Jewelry | JOO-luh-ree | / ˈdʒuːəlri / | Ornaments people wear for adornment. |
| Juror | JOOR-er | / ˈdʒʊrər / | A person selected to serve on a jury. |
| Kaleidoscopic | kuh-leye-duh-skawp-ik | / kəˌlaɪdəˈskɒpɪk / | Having complex patterns of colors. |
| Knead | need | / ˈniːd / | To work and press with the hands. |
| Knee | knee | / ˈniː / | The joint connecting the thigh and the lower leg. |
| Knell | nell | / ˈnel / | The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral. |
| Lackadaisical | lak-uh-day-zee-kul | / ˌlækəˈdeɪzɪkl̩ / | Doing something in a lazy way. |
| Leicester Square | les-tuhr skweir | / ˈlestər ˈskwer / | A square in London. |
| Liable | LY-uh-buhl | / ˈlaɪəbl̩ / | Legally responsible. |
| Liaison | lee-AY-zawn | / liˈeɪˌzɑːn / | A link or connection between people or organizations. |
| Library | LAHY-brer-ee | / ˈlaɪbreri / | A collection of books. |
| Licentious | lahy-SEN-chuhs | / laɪˈsentʃəs / | Lacking moral restraint. |
| Lingerie | lan-zhuh-REE | / ˈlɑːnʒəˌre / | Women's underwear. |
| Maelstrom | meyl-strahm | / ˈmeɪlstrəm / | A powerful whirlpool in the sea or a river. |
| Massachusetts | mas-uh-CHOOS-its | / ˌmæsəˈtʃuːsəts / | A state in the United States. |
| Mastectomy | mas-tek-tuh-mee | / mæˈstektəmi / | Operation to remove a woman’s breast. |
| Mauve | mov | / moʊv / | A pale purple color name. |
| Medieval | mid-EE-vuhl | / məˈdiːvl̩ / | Relating to the Middle Ages. |
| Meme | meem | / meme / | A funny image in the internet. |
| Metamorphosis | meh-tuh-mawr-fuh-sis | / ˌmetəˈmɔːrfəsəs / | A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one. |
| Miniature | MIN-ee-cher | / ˈmɪniəˌtʃʊr / | A small-scale model of something. |
| Mischievous | mis-chuh-vuhs | / ˈmɪstʃəvəs / | Person who enjoys causing trouble for fun. |
| Misogynist | muh-saj-uh-nist | / mysoginist / | Person who hates women. |
| Monk | monk | / ˈməŋk / | A person who lives in a monastery or convent. |
| Moot | moot | / ˈmuːt / | Open to discussion; debatable. |
| Muscle | mus-ul | / ˈmʌsl̩ / | A body tissue composed of cells or fibers. |
| Mustache | Muh-STASH | / ˈməˌstæʃ / | Hair growing on the upper lip. |
| Nadir | nay-der | / ˈneɪdər / | The lowest point. |
| Narcissistic | nahr-suh-SIS-tik | / ˌnɑːrsəˈsɪstɪk / | Having an excessive interest in oneself. |
| Neophyte | nee-uh-fyt | / ˈniːəˌfaɪt / | A beginner, a new participant. |
| Niche | neesh | / ˈnɪtʃ / | A specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service. |
| Nihilism | nahy-uh-liz-uhm | / ˈnaɪəˌlɪzəm / | The belief that nothing in the world has a real existence. |
| Noisome | noy-suhm | / ˈnɔɪsəm / | Disgusting, as in odor; capable of causing nausea. |
| Nuclear | nyoo-klee-er | / ˈnuːkliər / | Type of powerful energy. |
| Nuptial | nup-shuhl | / ˈnʌptʃl̩ / | Concerning marriage. |
| Obdurate | AHB-doo-rayt | / ˈɒbdjʊərət / | Stubbornly refusing to change one's mind. |
| Occasion | uh-KAY-zhuhn | / əˈkeɪʒn̩ / | An opportunity for a particular event. |
| Often | OF-tuhn | / ˈɔːfn̩ / | Many times; frequently. |
| Oligarchy | aw-lij-aar-kee | / ˈɑːləˌɡɑːrki / | A small group of people having control of a country or organization. |
| Onomatopoeia | on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh | / ɑːnəˈmɑːtəpiə / | Words that sound like the thing they refer to. |
| Ophthalmology | of-thal-mawl-uh-jee | / ˌɑːpθəˈmɑːlədʒi / | The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye. |
| Ordinance | OR-dn-uhns | / ˈɔːrdənəns / | A law or regulation made by a local government. |
| Otorhinolaryngology | otor-hino-lar-ing-ol-uh-gee | /ˌəʊtəʊˌrʌɪnəʊˌlarɪŋˈɡɒlədʒi/ | The study of diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. |
| Panacea | pan-uh-see-uh | / ˌpænəˈsiːə / | A remedy for all illness or solution for all problems. |
| Paradigm | PAR-uh-dahym | / ˈperəˌdaɪm / | A typical example or pattern. |
| Pauciloquy | paw-suh-loh-kwee | / pauciloquy / | Brevity in speech. |
| Pejorative | pee-juh-rut-iv | / pəˈdʒɔːrətɪv / | Expressing disapproval or belittling. |
| Penguin | PEN-gwuhn | / ˈpeŋɡwən / | A flightless bird that lives in cold regions near the poles. |
| Peremptory | per-em-tuh-ree | / pəˈremptəri / | Speaking or behaving rudely. |
| Phenomenon | fuh-NAHM-uh-nawn | / fəˈnɑːməˌnɑːn / | An extraordinary event or occurrence. |
| Phlegm | FLEM | / fləm / | Thick mucus produced in the respiratory system. |
| Phlegmatic | fleg-mat-ik | / fləgˈmætɪk / | Slow to react, not showing emotion; calm and composed. |
| Picture | PIK-cher | / ˈpɪktʃər / | An image. |
| Pizza | PEE-tsuh | / ˈpiːtsə / | A dish of Italian origin. |
| Plumber | PLUHM-er | / ˈplʌmər / | A person who repairs pipes. |
| Pneumatology | new-muh-taw-luh-jee | /ˌnjuːməˈtɒlədʒi/ | The study of spirits or spiritual beings. |
| Pneumonia | nyoo-moh-nee-uh | / nuˈmoʊniə / | Lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection. |
| Prelude | PREL-yood | / ˈpreɪˌluːd / | A piece of music that serves as an introduction to the main part. |
| Prerogative | pri-RAHG-uh-tiv | / prɪˈrɑːɡətɪv / | A right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class. |
| Prescription | pri-skrip-shun | / prəˈskrɪpʃn̩ / | The action of prescribing a medicine or treatment. |
| Prevaricate | pri-VAIR-uh-kayt | / prɪˈværɪkeɪt / | To speak or act in an evasive way. |
| Probably | PRAH-buh-blee | / ˈprɑːbəbli / | With a high likelihood; very likely. |
| Pronunciation | pro-nun-see-ay-shun | / proˌnənsiˈeɪʃn̩ / | The way you say a word. |
| Prostrate | PRAHS-trayt | / ˈprɑːstret / | Lying face down on the ground. |
| Pseudonym | SOO-duh-nim | / ˈsuːdəˌnɪm / | A fictitious name, especially one used by an author. |
| Puerile | pyoor-ahyl | / pjuːˈriːl / | Relating to a child or childhood; immature, foolish. |
| Pulchritude | pul-kruh-tood | / ˈpʌlkrɪtjuːd / | Physical beauty. |
| Quagmire | kwag-myr | / ˈkwægˌmaɪər / | A soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot. |
| Quay | key | / ˈkiː / | A place around water for loading and unloading ships. |
| Queue | kyoo | / ˈkjuː / | A line of people or vehicles waiting for something. |
| Quiche | keesh | / ˈkiːʃ / | A baked flan or tart with a savoury filling thickened with eggs. |
| Quinoa | kee-noh-uh | /ˈkiːnwɑː/ | A plant whose seeds we eat. |
| Quintessential | kwin-tuh-sen-shuhl | / ˌkwɪntəˈsenʃəl / | Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class. |
| Quirky | kur-kee | / ˈkwɝːki / | Having or characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits or aspects. |
| Quixotic | kwik-sah-tik | / kwɪkˈsɑːtɪk / | Extremely idealistic; unrealistic and impractical. |
| Quotidian | kwoh-tid-ee-un | / kwoʊˈtɪdɪən / | Occurring or recurring daily, commonplace. |
| Raccoon | rak-kun | / ræˈkuːn / | A greyish brown American mammal. |
| Raspberry | RAZ-ber-ee | / ˈræzˌberi / | A soft fruit resembling a red or blackberry. |
| Receipt | ree-seet | / rəˈsiːt / | A document acknowledging something. |
| Regime | ruh-ZHEEM | / rəˈʒiːm / | A government or system of rule. |
| Remuneration | ri-myoo-nuh-RAY-shun | / rəˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃn̩ / | Payment or compensation for a service or work. |
| Rendezvous | RON-duh-voo | / ˈrɑːndɪˌvuː / | A meeting or appointment, especially a romantic one. |
| Restaurateur | res-tuh-rer-uh-tuhr | / ˌrestərəˈtɝː / | Someone who owns a restaurant. |
| Rhythm | RITH-uhm | / ˈrɪðəm / | A pattern of sounds or beats established in music. |
| Salmon | sam-un | / ˈsæmən / | A type of fish we eat. |
| Sanguine | san-gwin | / ˈsæŋˌɡwɪn / | Cheerful, hopeful, confident, especially in a bad situation. |
| Scapula | skap-yuh-luh | / ˈskæpjələ / | Shoulder blade. |
| Schadenfreude | shah-dn-froid | /ˈʃɑːd(ə)nˌfrɔɪdə/ | Pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune. |
| Schedule | SKED-yool | / ˈskedʒuːl / | A plan. |
| Scissors | SI-zuhrz | / ˈsɪzərz / | A cutting instrument with two blades. |
| Sesquipedalian | ses-kwi-pi-day-lee-un | / ˌseskwɪpɪˈdeɪlɪən / | Using a lot of long words. |
| Sherbet | sher-bit | / ˈʃɝːbət / | Ice-cream like food. |
| Silicon | SIL-uh-kahn | / ˈsɪləkən / | A nonmetallic element with the atomic number 14. |
| Specifiable | speh-SIHF-uh-buhl | / ˌspesɪˈfaɪəbl̩ / | Able to be specified. |
| Specific | spuh-SIHF-ik | / spəˈsɪfɪk / | Particular or distinct; not general. |
| Sphygmomanometer | sfig-muh-muh-nom-uh-mee-ter | /ˌsfɪɡməʊməˈnɒmɪtə/ | Instrument for measuring blood pressure. |
| Squirrel | skwur-el | / ˈskwɜːrəl / | An orange rodent with bushy tail. |
| Status | STAY-tuhs | / ˈstætəs / | The position or standing of a person in relation to others. |
| Stultiloquence | stul-tuh-luh-kwens | / stultiloquence / | Senseless talk. |
| Subtle | suht-l | / ˈsʌtl̩ / | Very precise and difficult to analyze or describe. |
| Suite | sweet | / ˈswiːt / | A set of rooms in a hotel. |
| Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious | soo-per-kal-uh-fraj-uh-lihs-tik-es-pee-shuh-li-doh-shuhs | / ˌsuːpəˌkælɪˌfrædʒɪˌlɪstɪkekspiˌælɪˈdəʊʃəs / | Extraordinarily good. |
| Surfeit | sur-fit | / ˈsɜːfɪt / | An excessive amount of something. |
| Syllogism | sil-uh-jiz-uhm | / ˈsɪlədʒɪzəm / | Deductive reasoning. |
| Synecdoche | sin-ek-duh-kee | / sɪˈnekdəkiː / | A figure of speech. |
| Synergy | sin-uhr-jee | / ˈsɪnədʒi / | The interaction of two or more agents to produce an effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. |
| Tautology | taw-tol-uh-jee | / tɔːˈtɒlədʒi / | The saying of the same thing twice over in different words. |
| Temperature | TEM-pruh-cher | / ˈtemprətʃər / | A measure of warmth or coldness. |
| Ticklish | TIK-lish | / ˈtɪkəlɪʃ / | Sensitive to being touched or tickled. |
| Timbre | tahm-bur | / ˈtæmbrə / | The sound or tonal quality of a particular voice or musical instrument. |
| Triathlon | try-ATH-lon | / ˌtrɑːˈjæθlən / | A long-distance athletic event. |
| Triskaidekaphobia | tri-skay-dek-uh-foh-bee-uh | / triskaidekaphobia / | Extreme superstition regarding the number thirteen. |
| Truculent | tru-kyuh-lent | / ˈtrʌkjʊlənt / | Defiant, quick to argue or fight. |
| Ubiquitous | yoo-bik-wit-us | / juːˈbɪkwətəs / | Present, appearing, or found everywhere. |
| Valet | vuh-LAY | / ˈvælɪt / | A man's personal attendant. |
| Vehicle | VEE-uh-kuhl | / ˈviːhɪkl̩ / | A machine used for transporting people. |
| Ventriloquist | ven-tril-uh-kwist | / ventˈrɪləkwɪst / | A person who can make their voice appear to come from a dummy. |
| Vicissitude | vis-uh-si-tood | / vɪˈsɪsɪtjuːd / | A change in circumstance, usually undesired. |
| Visceral | viss-er-ul | / ˈvɪsərəl / | Relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect. |
| Wednesday | wed-nuhz-day | / ˈwenzdeɪ / | The third day of the week. |
| Whiplash | whip-lash | / ˈwɪplæʃ / | The flexible part of a whip or something resembling it. |
| Wintry | WIN-tree | / ˈwɪntri / | Relating to winter. |
| Wisteria | wis-teer-ee-uh | / wɪˈstɪərɪə / | A tree with beautiful pink or violet flowers. |
| Worcestershire | wuss-tuhr-sheer | /wʊstə/ | A type of brown sauce. |
| Yolk | yohk | / joʊk / | The yellow central part of an egg. |
| Zephyr | zef-er | / ˈzefə / | A soft, mild breeze. |
| Zucchini | zoo-KEE-nee | / zuːˈkiːni / | A type of green summer squash. |
Feeling nostalgic and up for a challenge? Grab a few friends and challenge yourselves with an adult spelling bee, tackling some of the hardest words to spell in English.
