rare words in essays

50 Sophisticated Words to Trick Schools into Thinking You’re Classy

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Many students are intimidated by the essays that must be written to complete college or scholarship applications. The truth is, you don’t have to use big words or fancy words you don’t understand to write a compelling essay — a few well-placed, sophisticated words will do. College essays should be extremely polished and fluff-free.

It’s time to get creative and make every word count, so be sure to use sophisticated words rather than slang or Internet acronyms (LMAO). Forget everything Urban Dictionary taught you and add a touch of class to your vocabulary with more sophisticated words in your writing and speech.

When you are ready to choose a school, we recommend you use our ranking of the top 100 best online colleges as your starting point.

• Advantageous (adjective) beneficial; creating a favorable situation to give an advantage. My volunteer work puts me in an advantageous position over other applicants.
• Alacrity (noun) pep in your step; lively, cheerful, and eager behavior. She lit up the dull room with her alacrity; her energy was palpable. She was thrilled to have been chosen to help.
• Amiable (adjective) friendly and good-natured. He was amiable and well-liked in the community prior to the discovery in his basement.
• Aptitude (noun) talent or ability She discovered her aptitude for real-life math at a young age while shopping with her mother.
• Assiduity (noun) dedication, diligence, and great focus. I studied with assiduity for the exam and feel confident and fully prepared.
• Candor (noun) open; honest; sincere. The senator’s candor during his speech won many voters over.
• Cumulative (adjective) accumulative, all added together. Exercising for one day may not yield results, but the health benefits are cumulative over time.
• Debase (verb) to corrupt or contaminate. I don’t allow mainstream media to debase my common sense.
• Deferential (adjective) yielding out of respect. The commissioner became accustomed to deferential treatment.
• Diligent (adjective) attention to detail; careful and hard-working. My diligent work on the project was critical to its success.
• Eloquent (adjective) fluent; having a way with words; perfectly said. Her eloquent speech moved the audience to tears.
• Elucidate (verb) to explain very clearly. She was eager to elucidate the problem to the mechanic so that it could be fixed.
• Emboldened (adjective) being made bold. We were emboldened by our success and ready to take it to the next level.
• Ephemeral (adjective) fleeting or short-lived. Summer romance is often ephemeral, as is the season itself.
• Equitable (adjective) a fair division between all parties. My equitable share of the profit was 45%.
• Extol (verb) to give high praise. He gave a speech to extol the benefits of online college .
• Gratuitous (adjective) unnecessary; uncalled-for. Both parties hurled gratuitous insults at each other and nothing was accomplished.
• Gregarious (adjective) outgoing; extroverted. The gregarious host made us feel welcome and comfortable in her home.
• Hypocrisy (noun) the insincerity of pretending to believe something you do not believe. My mother’s hypocrisy was exposed when I caught her cursing and smoking after speeding home from a late night out.
• Incisive (adjective) the ability to identify or draw sharp distinctions. Her incisive remarks were hurtful, mostly because they were pointedly accurate.
• Industrious (adjective) hard-working and persevering. In order to stand out from others, you must be smart, polite and industrious at your job.
• Innate (adjective) born with it. He has the innate ability to make people smile and uses it to his advantage.
• Insular (adjective) isolated; an island unto itself. Small-town life has many advantages, but can also be insular in many ways.
• Intrepid (adjective) Bold or brave. The intrepid explorer has seen things the rest of us can only imagine.
• Latent (adjective) there, but not there; having the potential to be realized, but hidden. Since the virus is latent there are no obvious signs of infection.
• Lithe (adjective) supple, bending easily. The dancers were lithe, yet also very strong.
• Maxim (noun) a widely known saying that is accepted as truth. Gandhi’s maxim “Be the change you wish to see in the world” is one to live by.
• Meticulous (adjective) precise attention to every detail. She is always meticulous about her research, leaving no stone unturned.
• Modicum (noun) a small token amount. We enjoyed only a modicum of success so far, but are optimistic about the next project.
• Myriad (noun) a large amount; countless. With online college , there are a myriad of career possibilities.
• Nuance (noun) a very subtle difference. The nuance of her voice added new dimensions to the song she covered.
• Obsequious (adjective) subservient; brown-nosing. His obsequious behavior failed to flatter his boss and quickly became annoying to everyone.
• Panacea (noun) a cure-all. Mom’s homemade chicken soup is the ultimate panacea.
• Pellucid (adjective) clearly understandable. The assembly instructions were surprisingly pellucid, which made the desk easy to put together.
• Penchant (noun) a strong preference or liking. He has a penchant for antique automobiles and frequently attends car shows.
• Perusal (noun) studying with the intent to memorize. A perusal of the material the night before made me feel confident about taking the test.
• Plethora (noun) an abundance or extreme excess. With the plethora of choices, making a decision about which car to buy came down to consumer reviews.
• Pragmatic (adjective) realistic and practical. Her pragmatic approach offered no frills but worked perfectly.
• Predilection (noun) a preference or bias. Her predilection for the color blue was evident in her wardrobe choices.
• Repudiate (verb) to reject or refuse to recognize as valid. He began to repudiate my excuse without even letting me finish.
• Salient (adjective) something that stands out and is obvious. There may be some advantages to buying in early, but they are not immediately salient.
• Staid (adjective) dignified and with decorum. I have lived a particularly staid life, so as not to embarrass myself.
• Studious (adjective) character trait involving diligent study. She was always quite studious; it was not uncommon to find her books lying about.
• Substantiate (verb) to give facts to support a claim. He said he was robbed, but there is nothing to substantiate his claim.
• Superfluous (adjective) in excess; more than is needed. Don’t waste your precious breath with superfluous flattery; it will get you nowhere.
• Surfeit (noun) the quality of overabundance. Considering the surfeit of food in America it is amazing that we still have some of our population go hungry.
• Sycophant (noun) someone who sucks up to others for personal gain. She often wondered if Bruce really liked her or if he was simply being a sycophant because of her wealthy parents.
• Taciturn (adjective) reserved or aloof. I tried to talk to my mother about what happened, but she remained taciturn.
• Venerable (adjective) honorable; highly regarded. I was nervous about performing on opening night because of all the venerable guests in attendance.
• Zenith (noun) the highest point. Looking back, Bradley realized that winning the tournament was the zenith of his high school career.

Visit Vocabulary.com for more sophisticated words to expand your vocabulary — and always keep it classy.

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Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

By Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Hannah Yang

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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I'm currently editing my college application essay, and I feel like it's filled with clichés and overused phrases. What are some unique or powerful words I can use to make my essay stand out more?

Polishing up your essay with powerful words and unique expressions can definitely capture a reader's attention. Here are some suggestions you can consider incorporating:

1. Instead of "help" or "assist," try using "facilitate," "bolster," or "foster."

2. Replace generic terms like "important" or "significant" with "pivotal," "crucial," or "paramount."

3. To express change, use "transform," "evolve," or "transcend" rather than "change" or "alter."

4. Opt for "innovate" or "pioneer" instead of "create" or "develop."

5. When describing personal growth, consider "flourish," "thrive," or "blossom" instead of "grow" or "improve."

Remember, though, that incorporating powerful words should be done carefully. It's important to preserve your authentic voice and make sure the terms you choose fit smoothly in the context of your essay. Additionally, avoid using words that could come across as pretentious or overly complex.

Also, rather than focusing solely on individual words, consider refining your essay using strong metaphors, compelling anecdotes, and vivid images. These techniques will not only help your essay stand out, but also make it more engaging and memorable. Pay attention to your essay's overall structure and flow as well, and make sure your points are clear and well organized.

Lastly, be sure to have someone else read your essay and provide feedback on your revisions. This can give you invaluable insights into how well your changes resonated and whether or not your writing is effectively showcasing your unique voice and perspective. Good luck!

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47 Rare Words With Beautiful Meanings

Looking for some beautiful rare words to add to your vocabulary or include in a writing project? 

You don’t feel a need to pepper your casual conversation with them or overwhelm your readers with elaborate prose. 

But sometimes, frequently-used words don’t have the impact you’re going for.

And uncommon words — if chosen well — can make your reader stop and think just long enough to appreciate and internalize their meanings. 

So, which of the 25 rare words in the following list will you make your own?

1. Coddiwomple (English slang) 

2. cromulent , 3. defenestration , 3. eleutheromania (greek), 4. eudaimonia (greek) , 5. fernweh (german) , 6. hiraeth (welsh) , 7. hygge (hoo-geh) (danish) , 8. komorebi (japanese) , 9. limerence, 10. meraki (greek) , 11. mudita (sanskrit) .

• 12. Novaturient (from the Latin novus) 

13. Numinous (from Latin word numen) 

14. querencia (spain) (kwi-ren-chi-ya) , 15. papilionaceous , 16. peripatetic , 17. retrouvailles (reh-true-vay) (french), 18. schwellenangst (german) , 19. solivagant , 21. synchronicity , 22. syzygy , 23. ubuntu (nguni, southern africa) , 24. vellichor , 25. serotinal, 26. psithurism, 27. eigengrau, final thoughts, 47 best rare words with beautiful meanings .

Aside from expanding your vocabulary, the following list of elegant words can help you put a name to some of the emotions you feel but find difficult to identify.

Which of these will you use first?

This word means to “travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination,” i.e., traveling without a plan or fixed itinerary.

The idea is freeing for some but panic-inducing for those who prefer more clarity and organization in their lives. 

An adjective that means “used in an ironical sense to mean legitimate and, therefore, in reality, spurious and not at all legitimate.”

It can also be a made-up word that sounds plausible because it makes logical sense (i.e., meese as the plural for moose). 

It has a literal meaning of throwing someone out a window. It can also mean a “swift dismissal or expulsion,” say, from a job or a political position.  

This word is a manic or frantic yearning for freedom.

If you’re craving a break from the life you know and wanting to explore something different (or at least the freedom to do so), this is what you feel. 

This word means the contented state you feel while traveling and broadening your horizons. Once you feel this, it can be challenging to go back to your usual workday routine . 

Fernweh is the feeling of wanderlust or longing for far-off places you’ve never even been to. It’s a feeling that goes beyond mere interest. Think of a place you’ve always wanted to visit and explore.

A deep yearning or homesickness for a place you can’t return to or that never was. The longing can also be for an era in time or a state of being that may no longer exist.  Often mixed with feelings of melancholy and nostalgia.

Think of the contentment and conviviality you feel when making time for gentle and soothing things, like glowing candles, relaxing with friends, or a steaming mug of your favorite tea. Now imagine this as a way of life.

A word that describes scattered sunlight filtering through gaps in the trees. If you’ve ever stopped to admire the visual effect, you know what this means. 

The state of being infatuated, smitten, or in love with another person . It may not last, and it’s not the most solid foundation for a relationship. 

Describes what happens when you leave a piece of yourself in your creative work .  When you love something enough to invest in yourself, your essence is connected to it. 

Taking delight in the happiness of other people, even the cause for their happiness, doesn’t have a direct and equal impact on you.

You make their happiness your own.

12. Novaturient (from the Latin novus ) 

Wanting or seeking powerful change in your life, your behavior, or a certain situation. You might feel this while doing some soul-searching or when you spontaneously break from your routine. 

The feeling of fear and awe of something before you, whether that’s a fierce oncoming storm or your crush approaching you. 

A place where you feel strong, safe, and at home. It could also be your “happy place,” which often has more to do with a person or people than a specific locale.

A word about transformation, particularly one that resembles the change from cocoon to butterfly. It can describe internal changes in a person undergoing a transformation of mindset or belief. 

Someone who spends their time wandering or traveling from place to place, whether by choice or by requirement. 

The feeling of happiness you experience when reuniting with someone you’re close with after a long separation. 

The fear of crossing a threshold (literal or figurative) to embark on something new. 

Someone wandering alone (noun) or marked by solitary wandering (adjective). If you’ve ever traveled alone, you can use this word to describe yourself. 

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The sobering realization that other people around you are living lives as complex, important, and vivid as your own. It hits you now and then. 

Essentially the same as a meaningful coincidence.

Examples include the recurring appearance of a specific, meaningful number or a surprise encounter with someone you were just thinking about .

An alignment of celestial bodies. An example would be a straight-line configuration of the sun, earth, and moon during a solar or lunar eclipse. 

A philosophical approach that defines a person by their actions towards others, specifically their kindness and compassion.

It emphasizes unity and generosity of spirit. 

A feeling shared by anyone who’s ever browsed the shelves of a used bookshop — a strange wistfulness combined with anticipation and serenity. It’s a good feeling. 

Referring to late summer or events occurring in late summer. For example, some flowers have serotinal blooming patterns, meaning they flourish late in the summer season.

The soothing sound of rustling leaves in the wind. A walk in a forest on a windy day would give you a perfect example of this natural symphony. It is often associated with calm, peacefulness, and being in tune with nature.

Also known as “brain gray,” it is the color seen by the eye in perfect darkness. It's not completely black, but rather a kind of dark gray. It's the color you see when you close your eyes and look at nothing, the color of the void.

28. Ephemeroptera

This refers to the order of insects commonly known as mayflies.

While not typically thought of as a beautiful word on its own, the life cycle of mayflies—from their brief but spectacular emergence as adults to their graceful dance over water bodies—captures the fleeting beauty and fragility of existence.

29. Petrichor

That delightful scent you get when rain falls on dry soil, especially after a long dry spell. It's like nature's way of hitting the refresh button, bringing a sense of rejuvenation and tranquility to the air.

30. Serendipity

Serendipity is the magic of happy accidents and unexpected discoveries. It's finding something beautiful or valuable when you're not even looking for it. 

Like stumbling upon an old book that becomes your favorite or meeting someone who changes your life in an unexpected way.

The fine, light rain that falls from a clear sky during twilight or early evening.

It's a poetic phenomenon that adds a touch of magic to the transition between day and night, bringing a sense of serenity and renewal to the earth.

32. Ephemeral

Something fleeting and transient, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky or the brief burst of colors in a sunset. 

It reminds us to cherish the moments we have because they won't last forever.

33. Ethereal

Delicate and otherworldly, like the soft glow of moonlight filtering through a canopy of trees or the gentle flutter of butterfly wings. It's something so beautiful it almost seems unreal, like a dream or a fairy tale.

34. Apricity

The warmth of the sun on a cold winter day. It's that feeling of stepping into a patch of sunlight and feeling the chill melt away, replaced by a comforting, cozy sensation.

35. Phosphenes

The luminous visual sensations that arise from stimulation of the retina, often seen as colors, patterns, or flashes of light when the eyes are closed. 

Phosphenes can be a gateway to inner exploration and creativity, offering glimpses of the mind's vast potential.

36. Mellifluous

Sweet and melodious, like the sound of a babbling brook or the voice of a loved one. It's a word that rolls off the tongue just as smoothly as it describes the pleasantness of certain sounds.

37. Aesthete

Someone who has a deep appreciation for beauty in all its forms, whether it's art, music, literature, or nature. A true aesthete finds joy and inspiration in the world around them, seeing beauty where others might overlook it.

38. Noctilucent

Describing something that emits light at night, such as the ethereal glow of certain clouds or the shimmering bioluminescence of marine organisms. 

Noctilucent phenomena illuminate the darkness with their mysterious beauty, captivating observers with their otherworldly glow.

39. Incandescence

The radiant glow of light given off by something intensely heated, like a glowing ember or a burning candle. It's a word that evokes warmth and brightness, illuminating the darkness with its fiery brilliance.

40. Halcyon

A period of peace, tranquility, and prosperity, often associated with a golden age or a time of great happiness. It's a word that brings to mind idyllic scenes of calm seas, clear skies, and contented hearts.

41. Etherealize

To make or become ethereal, to take on a delicate and airy quality. Etherealize is a word that speaks to the transformative power of beauty, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and infusing the world with a sense of magic and wonder.

42. Efflorescence

The blooming or flourishing of something, whether it's a flower in full bloom or a person reaching their full potential. It's a word that conveys growth, vitality, and the beauty of transformation.

Beautiful thinking or a well mind. It's the state of having a pure and benevolent mind, characterized by compassion, goodwill, and a genuine desire for the well-being of others.

44. Mellisonant

Sweet-sounding or melodious, like the trill of a songbird or the laughter of a child. It's a word that describes sounds that are pleasing to the ear, filling the air with joy and harmony.

45. Susurrus

The soft, murmuring sound of whispering or rustling, like the gentle breeze through leaves or the hushed conversation of a crowd. 

It's a word that captures the subtle beauty of sound, invoking a sense of peace and serenity.

46. Nyctophilia

A love or preference for darkness or night; an affinity for the quiet solitude and mystery of nighttime. 

Nyctophiles find solace and inspiration in the shadows, embracing the beauty of the nocturnal world with all its hidden wonders.

47. Paresthesia

A tingling sensation or numbness commonly felt in the limbs, often described as “pins and needles.”

While it may not seem conventionally beautiful, paresthesia can be seen as a reminder of the intricate workings of the human body and the complex ways in which we experience sensation.

What rare words with beautiful meanings resonate with you?

Now that you’ve looked through these 25 rare words, which ones stood out for you? And which are you most likely to use today? 

Whether you use it in speech or writing (or both), you’ll be adding it to your own treasure box of words and probably introducing it to others.

Be prepared for someone to ask you, “What on earth does that mean?”

Not everyone will appreciate your efforts to broaden your vocabulary and perspective. But then again, not everyone has to. 

Enjoy them for your own sake.

50 Rare Words That Are Useful to Know

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• Accismus (n): a useful term for pretending to be disinterested in something when you actually want it. Pull this word out when you see someone acting like he doesn’t want the last donut.
• Acumen (n): If you can easily make decisions or learn important things, you are displaying acumen. This positive word is a great term to use when paying someone a compliment.

2.11K reads

• Anachronistic (adj): When something doesn’t fit with its historical context, it’s anachronistic. This is a great word to use when writing history papers or talking about your favorite historical dramas. Pull it out when you point out the soda can in the background of a period movie.
• Anthropomorphize (v): When someone gives human characteristics to something inanimate, that person is anthropomorphizing that thing. From personification in literature to your brother making his stuffed animals talk, this is a useful and unusual word to know.

1.27K reads

• Apricate (v): A beautiful and uncommon word based on a Latin term, apricate means to bask in the sunshine. Pull this gem out when you’re commenting on your cat’s behavior or writing about your last trip to the beach.
• Bastion (n): A bastion is a place that is well-defended, but it can also be used to describe an institution or person who holds firm to principles. Use it when talking or writing about social institutions, politics, news organizations, and more.

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• Behoove (v): You can use behoove as a verb that means to be necessary or appropriate for something else. It comes in handy when telling someone why they should do something or when writing a persuasive essay.
• Burgeon (v): When you’re talking about something that is growing noticeably, you might say that it is burgeoning. You can use this term literally or figuratively.
• Convivial (adj): Use this great adjective to describe someone or something that is great company. You can use convivial to pay a compliment to a group of people or use it to describe a gathering you enjoyed.
• Conundrum (n): If you run into a problem that doesn’t have a clear solution or an obvious correct answer, you can call it a conundrum. This is a good word to have on hand when you’re writing a research paper.
• Credulity (n): Do you know someone who is gullible or willing to believe things without proof? Use the word credulity to describe this character trait. You’ll also find this useful in essays, especially about critical thinking.
• Crepuscular (adj): You know how some animals are nocturnal and some are diurnal, but what about animals like deer that are active during dawn and dusk? These animals are crepuscular.
• Edify (v): Some things serve to build people up in a moral or intellectual sense. When you write or speak about something like this, use the verb edify.
• Egregious (adj): Use egregious to describe something that is really extraordinary but negative at the same time. It comes in handy for writing or talking about people breaking important laws or rules.
• Effete (adj): Sometime, you meet someone or encounter something that is overly refined - even to the point of uselessness. That thing is effete.
• Eschew (v): If you’re trying to stay away from something on purpose, you are eschewing that thing. This is useful when talking about intentional choices in personal essays.
• Fatuous (adj): Sometimes you need to describe someone or something that is foolish or silly. That’s a great time to use the word fatuous.
• Fractious (adj): If something is difficult to control and generally bad-tempered, you can describe it as fractious. This is useful when talking about cranky children or animals.
• Galvanize (v): Another great essay word, galvanize means to stimulate someone to act. Certain life events or situations can inspire other actions and events, and they are perfect for this word.
• Imperious (adj): If you need to describe a person or thing that is bossy and domineering for no good reason, use the word imperious. It’s ideal for personal essays about siblings.
• Impetus (n): Something that makes something else happen is an impetus. You can use this word in many types of writing - from speeches to persuasive essays.
• Insouciant (adj): Someone who is very calm and doesn’t seem bothered by the concerns of daily life can be described as insouciant. This is a great positive word to use in a variety of situations.
• Interlocutor (n): When you’re describing the participants of a conversation, you’re talking about the interlocutors. It’s a handy word for talking about discussions.
• Lionize (v): This awesome positive L word is a verb you can use to talk about celebrities and important historical figures and the way people view them. Lionize means to treat someone as a hero.
• Visceral (adj): Have you ever felt something so deeply that it affected you on an emotional level? You had a visceral reaction to that thing.
• Zeugma (n): A figure of speech in which one word has a double meaning within a sentence, zeugma is a useful term for language arts papers. An example of this would be, “He stole my heart and my car.”
• Melange (n): Anything that is a mixture of seemingly unrelated things is a melange. You can use this in the abstract to talk about apparently unrelated qualities or ideas.
• Metanoia (n): When you’re talking about a fundamental shift in how someone sees something, you’re talking about metanoia. This is a great unusual word to use in essays.
• Myriad (n): When you need to talk about a lot of something, especially diverse elements of a larger whole, use the uncommon word myriad. It’s surprisingly useful in daily conversations too.
• Noisome (adj): If you need to describe something that is harmful or really annoying to the point of near harm, use the word noisome. It’s also ideal for describing something that smells bad.
• Obfuscate (v): Have you ever seen someone make something more confusing than it needs to be? That person is obfuscating a concept.
• Odious (adj): The word odious is ideal when you need to describe something that is horrible and unpleasant, even disgusting. Think of it as a more extreme and vivid version of “obnoxious.”
• Ostensibly (adv): Sometimes, something appears to be true, but it may not be. That thing is ostensibly true.
• Paucity (n): When something is scarce, there is a paucity of it. This is a good and uncommon word that is extremely useful when talking about a lack of evidence for a claim.
• Penultimate (adj): It’s easy to describe the first thing and the last thing, but what about the second to the last thing in a series? That thing is the penultimate.
• Pernicious (adj): Some habits or actions are especially destructive, even to the point of being deadly. These things are described as pernicious.
• Perspicacious (adj): If you need to pay someone a compliment for their good judgement and clear thinking, you can describe that person as perspicacious. It’s a great word that is as rare as it is positive.
• Philistine (n): Calling someone a philistine is less of a compliment. It means a person who is closed-minded and doesn’t care about the culture and values around him or her.
• Prevaricate (v): Ever need to describe someone who won’t give a straight answer to a question or who tends to dance around a topic without directly addressing it? That person is prevaricating.
• Rapscallion (n): Some people are just extremely playful and full of mischief. If you need to describe them in an essay or other work, call them rapscallions.
• Sagacious (adj): Know someone who is wise and always uses great judgement? That person is sagacious.
• Sanguine (adj): Refers to a person who is cheerful and confident.
• Serendipity (n): Have you ever experienced a happy accident, such as finding a lost $20 bill in your pocket right when you needed it? That’s serendipity.
• Solipsist (n): Do you know someone who is extremely self-absorbed and doesn’t think about the perspectives or needs of others? That person is a solipsist.
• Synecdoche (n): A figure of speech that uses a part to represent a whole. You’ll find these are surprisingly common, making this a useful word to know. Some synecdoche examples include “head” to represent cattle, “wheels” to talk about a car, and “Kleenex” to represent tissues.
• Timorous (adj): Someone who is scared, fearful, or simply shy may be described as timorous. This is useful term when writing narratives and describing characters.
• Ubiquitous (adj): Another really useful word that isn’t common is ubiquitous. It means something that is everywhere at the same time.
• Uhtceare (n): Do you wake up before dawn and feel anxious? That moment and experience is described by the Old English word uhtceare.
• Ultracrepidarian (n): If a person offers opinions that extend beyond his or her knowledge, that person is an ultracrepidarian. This is a useful word for narratives and character descriptions.
• Verisimilitude (n): When something looks like the real thing, it has verisimilitude. A great example of this would be vinyl flooring that looks like stone.

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27 Beautiful Words Writers Rarely Use But Totally Should

Finally, a word for "having a shapely buttocks."

BuzzFeed Contributor

"Marijuana can be used as an anodyne treatment for the sick."

"I'd rather stand up for what I believe in than be an anodyne bore."

"While I love him, my father can be a blatherskite at the dinner table."

"Most people thought she was a gifted orator, but she considered herself a blatherskite."

"Unfortunately, smoking had been her cacoethes for over a decade."

"Doctors often suffer from the cacoethes to speak over their patients."

"The callipygian statue attracted many admirers."

"When I look in the mirror, I'm quickly disabused of the notion that I have a callipygian figure."

"His concinnity made me feel insecure about my own art."

"The play was lauded for its concinnity of music and design."

"Coprolalia is the most sensationalized symptom of Tourette." — Tourette Mama Insights

"Coprolalia can be a rare symptom of other neurological disorders."

"I work for a doryphore whose only joy is correcting my mistakes."

"She stopped speaking in meetings because she was always accused of being a doryphore."

"My edacious date ordered more food than I had expected."

"Edacious vultures circled where we had buried the body."

"The book ensorcelled many, years after its release."

"He ensorcelled him with his ceaseless cheer and good humor."

"Their honeymoon was an estival dreamland that had to come to an end sometime."

"The warm, estival wind reminded her of home."

"Her famulus played an unwitting role in her murder."

"The famulus resented being ordered around, though he had no choice but to obey."

"He fancied himself something of a frondeur, though others thought him deranged."

"Once considered a frondeur, Martin Luther King Jr. is now celebrated as a hero."

"Don't let him win the game or else we'll all be subjected to a long gasconade."

"Many critics fueled the gasconade surrounding her directorial debut."

"The glabrous skin of her palm was hardened by years of manual labor."

"No one had any idea which tree the glabrous leaf had come from."

"Hodiernal pop music is a lot sadder than I remember."

"It's often difficult to keep up with the news cycle in hodiernal America."

"It was tradition at our house to make a wish and split the merrythought."

"There's a merrythought left, if you want it."

"My grandfather, an ex-Marine, was the martinet of the family."

"Martinets frequently make poor rulers."

"The writer was constantly being corrected for using the mumpsimus 'between you and I.'"

"The mumpsimus refused to vaccinate his children."

"The daytime soap opera was a nepenthe after the night that she had suffered through."

"His nepenthe was alcohol and it was the death of him."

"These days, it's not uncommon to find opsimaths on college campuses."

"The library had a number of classes perfect for the opsimath."

"College students often use pleonasm to pad their papers."

"The pleonasm in the speech underscored the urgency of her point."

"After his son died, he was prone to bouts of saudade."

"The poem filled me with a sense of saudade for my younger years."

"The director was a grade-A sybarite, and it showed in her films."

"It was often difficult to travel with the sybarite, who only wanted to stay in 5 star hotels."

"It's a typical tellurian fantasy to travel through space."

"The archaeologist didn't believe there was anything tellurian about the skeleton that was unearthed during the dig."

"The terpsichorean school was run with military-like efficiency."

"He was an expert on all things terpsichorean."

"Many students had only a velleity to attend Harvard, but she was different."

"His roommate's talk of finding a job was clearly a velleity."

"Reading the news left everyone with a shared sense of Weltschmerz."

"After his breakup , he was in a Weltschmerz state of mind."

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I hope you have found this site to be useful. If you have any corrections, additions, or comments, please contact me . Please note that I am not able to respond to all requests. Please consult a major dictionary before e-mailing your query. All material on this page © 1996-2021 Stephen Chrisomalis. Links to this page may be made without permission.

100 Words and Phrases to use in an Essay

Thomas Babb

Writing a compelling essay involves much more than simply putting your thoughts on paper. It demands the use of a precise vocabulary that not only enriches your content but also structures it in a way that is both logical and engaging. The right words and phrases can transform your essay from a basic assignment to an insightful and persuasive piece of writing.

This guide introduces you to 100 essential words and phrases recommended by expert English tutors that will help you convey your ideas more effectively. From adding information to expressing contrasts, and from illustrating examples to summarising your points, these carefully selected terms will enhance the clarity and impact of your essays.

Adding Information

When crafting an essay, integrating additional details effectively can enrich the written content and present a well-rounded argument. Here's how you can use each phrase under this category:

1. Furthermore - Use this to add weight to a point already mentioned, providing further evidence without redundancy.

2. Moreover - Similar to "furthermore," it introduces information that not only adds to the argument but enhances it.

3. Similarly - This indicates that the upcoming point shares notable characteristics with the previous one, aiding in drawing parallels.

4. Additionally - Introduces extra information or arguments that augment the current discussion.

5. Also - A simpler form of "additionally" that integrates extra facts smoothly.

6. Likewise - Indicates similarity and supports points by showing how they relate to each other in terms of qualities or actions.

7. In addition - This phrase is useful for contributing additional supportive details in a clear manner.

8. As well as - Functions to include another subject or item into your discussion without diverging from the main topic.

9. Not only... but also - A powerful structure for emphasizing not just one, but two important points, enhancing the depth of the argument.

10. Alongside - Implies that the information being added runs parallel to the already established facts, reinforcing them.

These phrases, when used correctly, help to build a strong, cohesive narrative flow in your essays, guiding the reader through a logical progression of ideas. For more on enhancing your writing with effective information addition, explore resources like Oxford Royale's Essay Writing Tips .

Introducing Examples

Introducing concrete examples is crucial in illustrating and supporting your claims effectively in an essay. Here’s how to use each word or phrase linked to this category:

11. For instance - Introduces a specific example that illuminates a broader point, helping to clarify complex ideas.

12. For example - Functions similarly to "for instance," offering a direct illustration to support or demonstrate a claim.

13. Such as - Prepares the reader for an example that is part of a larger category, typically used to list items or concepts.

14. Like - Introduces comparisons or examples in a casual and relatable manner.

15. Particularly - Highlights an example that is especially relevant to the argument, focusing attention on significant details.

16. In particular - Similar to "particularly," but often used to introduce a standout example that underscores a critical point.

17. Including - Serves to add examples to a list that may already be understood to be part of the topic being discussed.

18. Namely - Specifies and introduces exact and often multiple examples or details directly related to the point.

19. Chiefly - Points to the most important or significant examples or reasons in support of an argument.

20. Mainly - Indicates that the examples provided are the primary ones to consider, focusing on the most relevant instances.

Effective use of these phrases not only clarifies your points but also strengthens your arguments by making abstract concepts tangible. For detailed guidance on how to incorporate examples effectively in your essays, refer to academic resources like Harvard College Writing Center .

Demonstrating Contrast

IB English tutors suggest that Using contrast effectively in your essays can highlight differences that clarify your points or show alternative perspectives. Here’s how to use each phrase to demonstrate contrast:

21. Conversely - Signals a stark contrast to what has just been discussed, often introducing an opposing viewpoint.

22. However - A versatile tool to introduce a contradiction or counterpoint, breaking from the previous line of reasoning.

23. Nevertheless - Indicates persistence of a stated fact or opinion despite the contrasting information that follows.

24. On the other hand - Used to present a different perspective or an alternative to the argument previously mentioned.

25. Although - Begins a sentence where the main clause contrasts with the lesser significant, conditional clause.

26. Even though - Similar to "although," but often emphasizes a stronger degree of contrast between the conflicting elements.

27. But - A simple and direct way to introduce a contradiction to the preceding statement.

28. Yet - Suggests a contrast that is surprising or unexpected based on the previous statements.

29. Instead - Introduces an alternative action or thought in response to what has been previously discussed.

30. Rather - Used to correct or propose a different idea from what was initially stated or understood.

These phrases are essential for essays where comparing and contrasting ideas, arguments, or perspectives is necessary to deepen understanding or enhance the argument’s complexity. To learn more about using contrast in writing, visit educational resources such as Purdue Online Writing Lab .

Showing Cause and Effect

A-Level English tutors point out that effectively indicating cause and effect relationships in your essays helps clarify the reasons things happen and the consequences that follow. Here’s how to use each word or phrase to illustrate these relationships:

31. Consequently - Signals a direct result from the action or situation mentioned, highlighting the effect or outcome.

32. Therefore - Used to introduce a logical conclusion or result that follows from the reasoning presented earlier.

33. Thus - Indicates a conclusion or result that is a natural consequence of the facts previously mentioned.

34. Hence - Similar to "thus," it conveys a consequence that is a logical extension from the argument or data presented.

35. Accordingly - Shows that an action or decision is a logical response to the circumstances or facts discussed.

36. As a result - Directly points out the outcome or effect resulting from a specific cause or set of conditions.

37. This leads to - Introduces a sequence where one event or fact causes another, often used to chain multiple effects.

38. It follows that - Used when deducing a conclusion that logically arises from the preceding argument or evidence.

39. Leading to - Connects an initial action or decision directly with its consequences, highlighting a progression of events.

40. Contributing to - Indicates that the action or event adds to a situation, leading to a particular result or effect.

Mastering the use of these phrases can enhance the persuasive power of your writing by clearly linking actions and their consequences.

Adding Emphasis

Effectively emphasising key points in your essays can make your arguments more compelling and memorable. Here’s how to appropriately use each word or phrase to add emphasis:

41. Significantly - Indicates that something is of great importance or consequence, drawing the reader's attention to the gravity of the point being made.

42. Importantly - Prioritises the following information as crucial for understanding the argument or situation.

43. Indeed - Reinforces the truth of a statement, often used to confirm and agree with a previously mentioned point that might be surprising or emphatic.

44. Absolutely - A strong affirmation that leaves no doubt about the veracity or importance of the statement.

45. Definitely - Communicates certainty about a fact or opinion, strengthening the author's stance.

46. Certainly - Similar to "definitely," it expresses a high degree of assurance about the information being provided.

47. Undoubtedly - Suggests that there is no doubt about the statement, reinforcing its truth and relevance.

48. Without a doubt - A more emphatic form of "undoubtedly," eliminating any ambiguity about the point’s validity.

49. Particularly - Highlights specific information as especially significant within a broader context.

50. Especially - Used to indicate that something holds more significance than other elements, often emphasizing exceptional cases or instances.

Using these expressions strategically can enhance the persuasive impact of your writing by underscoring the most critical elements of your argument. To see more words and further explore techniques for adding emphasis in academic writing, visit resources like Cambridge Dictionary Blog .

Explaining and Clarifying

In academic essays, clearly explaining and clarifying complex ideas is essential for effective communication. IGCSE tutors and GCSE tutors suggest that each of these phrases can be used to enhance understanding:

51. That is to say - Used to introduce a rephrasing or elaboration on something that has just been stated.

52. In other words - Helps clarify a statement by expressing it in different terms for better understanding.

53. To put it another way - Similar to "in other words," it offers an alternative explanation or perspective to ensure clarity.

54. To clarify - Directly states the intent to make something clearer or to resolve any misunderstandings.

55. To explain - Introduces a detailed explanation aimed at enhancing understanding of a complex issue or point.

56. This means that - Connects a statement or idea to its implications or necessary interpretations.

57. This implies - Suggests a deeper, often unspoken consequence or meaning behind the given information.

58. Put simply - Introduces a simpler or more straightforward version of what has been discussed, making it more accessible.

59. In simpler terms - Another phrase to ease comprehension by breaking down complex concepts into basic language.

60. Thus - Concludes an explanation by summarizing the logical result or conclusion derived from the argument made.

Using these phrases effectively can help articulate intricate arguments in a more digestible format, aiding the reader’s understanding and engagement.

Summarising and Concluding

Expert IB tutors and A-Level tutors recommend that effectively summarising and concluding your essays is crucial for reinforcing your main points and providing a satisfying closure to any persuasive essay. Here’s how to use each word or phrase to effectively wrap up your discussions:

61. In conclusion - Signals the beginning of the final summary, clearly stating that the argument is drawing to a close.

62. To sum up - Introduces a concise summary of the key points discussed, often used before the final conclusion.

63. Ultimately - Indicates a final, overarching conclusion derived from the arguments and evidence presented.

64. Finally - Marks the introduction of the last point or an additional important point that concludes the discussion.

65. Lastly - Similar to "finally," it is used to introduce the final argument or point in the list.

66. To conclude - Directly states the intent to wrap up the essay, leading into a summary of the main findings.

67. In summary - Offers a recap of the essential elements discussed, reinforcing the thesis without introducing new information.

68. All things considered - Provides an overall conclusion, taking into account all the points made throughout the essay.

69. In the final analysis - Suggests a thorough consideration of all aspects discussed, leading to a concluding viewpoint.

70. After all - Implies that the conclusion takes into account all arguments and evidences previously presented.

Mastering the use of these concluding phrases ensures that your essay ends on a strong note, summarising key points and reinforcing your argument.

Discussing Similarities

Highlighting similarities effectively can enhance your argument by showing connections and parallels between ideas or topics. Here’s how to use each phrase to discuss similarities in your essays:

71. Similarly - Indicates that what follows is in alignment with the previous statement, reinforcing the connection between two points.

72. Likewise - Also used to show agreement or similarity, it confirms that the upcoming point supports the previous one in terms of characteristics or outcomes.

73. Just as - Introduces a comparison, suggesting that the situation or argument is equivalent to another.

74. As with - Used before mentioning another example, indicating that it shares properties or conditions with what has been discussed.

75. Equally - Implies that two or more elements are on the same level in terms of importance, quality, or characteristics.

76. Analogous to - Introduces a more formal comparison, indicating that one situation is comparable to another, often used in more scientific or technical discussions.

77. Comparable to - Suggests that two things can be likened to each other, providing a basis for comparison.

78. In the same way - Confirms that the action, process, or idea mirrors another, reinforcing the similarity.

79. Just like - A more casual phrase used to draw a direct comparison, making the similarity clear and understandable.

80. Similarly important - Asserts that the importance or relevance of two or more aspects is equal, emphasising their comparative significance.

Utilising these phrases allows you to effectively link concepts and arguments, showing how they complement or mirror each other, which can strengthen your overall thesis. For further reading on comparing and contrasting ideas effectively, the University of North Carolina Writing Center offers excellent resources.

Providing Alternatives

Offering alternatives in your essays can demonstrate critical thinking by showing different possibilities or approaches. Here’s how to use each word or phrase to introduce alternative ideas:

81. Alternatively - Introduces a different option or suggestion, providing another route or perspective.

82. On the contrary - Used to present a direct opposition to the previously mentioned idea, emphasising a contrasting point.

83. Rather - Suggests a preference for one choice over another, typically used to propose a different approach or opinion.

84. Conversely - Indicates a reversal of what has been previously stated, introducing an opposing viewpoint.

85. Instead - Specifies a substitute or replacement, clearly stating that one option is to be considered in place of another.

86. On the flip side - Introduces a contrasting scenario or viewpoint in a more informal manner, often used in conversational or less formal writing.

87. Rather than - Presents a comparison between two choices, highlighting a preference for one over the other.

88. As an alternative - Explicitly states the introduction of a different option or method, providing variety to the discussion.

89. Either...or - Sets up a choice between two distinct options, forcing a decision that impacts the argument’s direction.

90. Neither...nor - Used to deny two possibilities simultaneously, often restructuring the argument by excluding common options.

Incorporating these phrases allows you to explore and present multiple facets of an issue, enriching the essay’s depth and persuasiveness. For tips on effectively presenting alternative arguments, visit Harvard College Writing Center .

Expressing Conditions

Effectively expressing conditions in your essays can help outline scenarios where certain outcomes or arguments hold true. Here’s how to use each word or phrase to specify conditions:

91. If - Introduces a conditional statement, setting up a scenario where a specific result depends on a preceding condition.

92. Unless - Specifies an exception to a general rule or statement, indicating that a condition will change the outcome if not met.

93. Provided that - Sets a stipulation or requirement for a scenario to occur, emphasizing that certain conditions must be satisfied.

94. Assuming that - Suggests a hypothesis or a precondition that needs to be accepted before proceeding with an argument or conclusion.

95. In case - Prepares for a situation that might occur, setting up precautions or actions based on potential scenarios.

96. Even if - Acknowledges that even under certain circumstances, the primary argument or conclusion still holds.

97. Only if - Restricts the conditions under which a statement or outcome is valid, narrowing down the scenarios to very specific ones.

98. Whether - Presents alternatives, usually offering a choice between possibilities within the condition stated.

99. As long as - Indicates that a condition is contingent upon the duration or continuation of a specified situation.

100. Given that - Introduces a premise as a fact, assuming its truth for the sake of argument or to advance the discussion.

Final Thoughts

In crafting compelling essays, the strategic use of specific words and phrases can significantly enhance both the clarity and persuasiveness of your writing. By mastering the use of these 100 essential terms, students can effectively structure their essays, convey complex ideas, and articulate contrasts and comparisons with precision. Each category of phrases serves a unique purpose, from adding information to providing alternatives, which empowers writers to construct well-rounded arguments and engage their readers more deeply.

As you continue to refine your essay-writing skills, remember that the power of your arguments often lies in the details—the precise words and phrases you choose to express your thoughts. The power of a well crafted essay introduction and precise essay conclusion should also not be overlooked. By integrating these tools into your writing repertoire, you are better equipped to present clear, persuasive, and engaging essays that stand out in academic settings.

How can I improve my essay planning process?

Effective essay planning begins with a clear understanding of the essay question. Break down the question to identify key terms and the required response. Create an outline to organise your main points and supporting arguments logically. Consider using a mind map to visually plot connections between ideas, which can spur creative thinking. Allocate time for research, writing, and revision within your plan. Practising essay plans for different questions can enhance your ability to organise thoughts quickly and efficiently, a crucial skill especially under exam conditions.

What makes an essay introduction effective?

An effective introduction grabs the reader's attention, sets the tone, and provides a clear thesis statement. Start with a hook such as a provocative question, a startling statistic, or a compelling quote. Provide some background information to set the context, ensuring it's directly relevant to the essay's question. The thesis statement should be concise and outline your main argument or response to the question. This setup not only intrigues but also informs the reader about the essay's focus, establishing your understanding and control of the subject.

How do I choose the best evidence for my essay?

The best evidence is relevant, credible, and supports your thesis directly. Use primary sources where possible as they provide first-hand accounts that you can analyse directly. When primary sources are not available, rely on peer-reviewed journals and reputable publications. Diversify your sources to avoid over-reliance on a single type of evidence, and critically evaluate sources for bias and reliability. Properly integrating this evidence into your argument involves summarising, paraphrasing, and quoting sources while always linking back to your main argument.

How can I make my essay arguments more persuasive?

To make your arguments more persuasive, begin with a clear, assertive thesis statement. Structure your essay so each paragraph introduces a single point supporting your thesis. Use credible evidence and explain how this supports your argument. Address potential counterarguments to show the depth of your understanding and strengthen your position by demonstrating why your approach is preferable. Employing a confident but respectful tone and precise language also enhances the persuasiveness of your essay.

What are common pitfalls in essay writing to avoid?

Common pitfalls in essay writing include poor structure, weak thesis statements, and lack of coherence. Avoiding these starts with a robust plan and clear outline. Stay on topic by linking each paragraph back to your thesis statement. Avoid plagiarism by properly citing all sources. Overly complex sentence structures can confuse readers, so strive for clarity and conciseness. Finally, neglecting proofreading can leave typographical and grammatical errors, which diminish the quality of your work, so always review your essay thoroughly.

How do I manage time when writing an essay under exam conditions?

Time management in exams is crucial. Allocate about 10% of your time for planning, 80% for writing, and 10% for revising. Quickly outline your main points to structure your essay from the start. Write your body paragraphs first, as these contain the bulk of marks, then your introduction and conclusion. Keep an eye on the clock and pace yourself to ensure you have enough time to adequately develop your arguments and conclude effectively.

What are the best practices for editing and proofreading essays?

After writing your essay, take a break before you start editing to give you a fresh perspective. Read your essay aloud to catch awkward phrasing and sentences that don't flow logically. Check for consistency in tense and point of view throughout the essay. Use spell-check tools, but do not rely on them solely—manually check for homophones and commonly confused words. Consider having someone else read your work to catch errors you might have overlooked and to provide feedback on the clarity of your arguments.

How can I develop a strong thesis statement?

A strong thesis statement is clear, concise, and specific. It should express one main idea that is debatable, meaning there is potential for argument. Reflect on the essay prompt and decide on your position regarding the topic. Your thesis should guide the reader through your arguments and indicate the rationale behind your viewpoint. It serves as the backbone of your essay, so ensure it is robust and directly linked to the question asked.

How do I handle counterarguments in my essays?

Handling counterarguments effectively involves acknowledging them and then refuting them with stronger evidence or reasoning. Present them fairly and objectively, then use logical, fact-based arguments to demonstrate why your position remains valid. This not only shows critical thinking but also strengthens your original argument by showing you have considered multiple perspectives.

What is the role of a conclusion in an essay?

The conclusion of an essay should effectively summarise the main arguments discussed while reaffirming the thesis statement. It should synthesise the information presented rather than introducing new ideas. Provide a final perspective on the topic or suggest implications, further research or practical applications to leave the reader with something to ponder. A strong conclusion can reinforce your argument and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

How can I ensure my essay flows logically?

To ensure logical flow, each paragraph should seamlessly connect to the next with clear transitions. Focus on structuring paragraphs around one main idea that supports your thesis. Use transitional words and phrases to show the relationship between paragraphs. Consistency in your argumentation style and maintaining a clear focus throughout the essay will help keep your writing coherent.

What techniques help maintain reader interest throughout an essay?

To maintain reader interest, start with a strong hook in your introduction and use engaging content like relevant anecdotes, striking statistics, or interesting quotes throughout your essay. Vary your sentence structure and use active voice to keep the narrative dynamic. Also, ensure your topic is relevant and your arguments are presented with passion and clarity.

How can I integrate quotes effectively in essays?

To integrate quotes effectively, introduce the quote with a sentence that sets up its relevance to your argument, then follow the quote with analysis or interpretation that ties it back to your main point. Do not rely heavily on quotes to make your points; use them to support your arguments. Ensure that every quote is properly cited according to the required academic style guide.

What are the differences between descriptive and argumentative essays?

Descriptive essays focus on detailing a particular subject to give the reader a clear image or understanding of the topic through vivid language and sensory details. In contrast, argumentative essays aim to persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint or position using evidence and reasoning. The former is more about painting a picture, while the latter is about convincing through argument.

How can I use feedback to improve my essay writing skills?

Feedback is invaluable for improving essay writing skills. Actively seek out feedback from teachers, peers, or tutors and focus particularly on recurring themes in their comments. Reflect on this feedback critically and apply it to your future essays. Regularly revisiting and revising your work based on constructive criticism allows you to develop a more refined and effective writing style over time.

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Written by: Thomas Babb

Thomas is a PhD candidate at Oxford University. He served as an interviewer and the lead admissions test marker at Oxford, and teaches undergraduate students at Mansfield College and St Hilda’s College. He has ten years’ experience tutoring A-Level and GCSE students across a range of subjects.

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5 Unique Ways to Boost Academic Vocabulary and Elevate Your Essays

by Suzanne Davis | Apr 2, 2018 | Academic Writing Skills | 4 comments

Do you feel overwhelmed by academic vocabulary?

Do you read articles and books filled with academic vocabulary?  Sometimes all those words can be confusing.  But understanding academic words and using them in your writing is essential.  If you have a strong command of academic vocabulary, it’s easy to find the right words that are specific to your field and words that suit formal writing.  And it’s easier to write essays and papers that impress your professors and other academic readers.

So, how can you best learn new academic vocabulary and add it to your writing?  Well, there are 5 great ways to practice and increase your academic vocabulary.  Each strategy for studying new words helps you learn any kind of academic vocabulary.

Types of Academic Vocabulary

There are two kinds of academic vocabulary you need to use in your writing: subject area vocabulary and common academic vocabulary.

Subject–area vocabulary — represents the words you use in a specific field of study. These could be words in the fields of technology, physics, chemistry, economics, math, psychology, sociology, and any other discipline.

You find these words in your textbooks, academic journal articles, books on your subject, blogs about your subject and anywhere else you read something related to the courses you take.

Common academic vocabulary- -represents words and phrases you find in essays, academic papers, textbooks and articles across all fields. Some examples of these words are: analyze, constitute, derive, source, theorize and evidence.

You can find this type of vocabulary on the Academic Word List(AWL).  This list was created by Dr. Averil Coxhead (Senior Lecturer, School of Linguistics and Language Studies at Victoria University of Wellington).  It is a list of the most common words used in educational and professional settings.  There are 570-word families on the AWL and you can find all the words online: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist/sublists

The AWL is divided into sublists and the most common words are on Sublist 1.  Each word lists the root word and different forms of that word. These are called word families.

Here is a word family from Sublist 1:  source, sourced, sources .

Yes, there are a lot of academic words.  But, when you know these words you will elevate your academic writing.  So, focus on learning 5-7 words at a time. Don’t try to learn too many words too fast.  It makes it hard to remember all the words!

5 Unique Ways to Study Academic Vocabulary

1. Keep a Word Journal

A word journal is one place (a notebook, a computer document, etc.) where you write down words you don’t know. This is the process for keeping a word journal:

• Look up the definition of the word, and think of your own definition.
• Write a definition in your own words.
• Copy the exact sentence where you found the word.
• Write or draw your own example of that word.

What makes this method great is that you can always look up the words you’ve learned if you can’t remember them. You could create a word journal for each of your classes. Then you have a place to find vocabulary words and phrases related to the readings you do in class.

If you are a visual learner you may prefer drawing examples of your words.  In this case, use a physical journal, so you have room to be creative.

2. Highlight or Underline and Define Words in a Text

Read academic texts, articles, blogs, in your field, classes, etc. and highlight or underline the words you don’t know.  Re-read the sentence or paragraph again, look the words up and write your own definition in the margins of what you’re reading.

You can find many ways to do this with online reading too.  Adobe Acrobat Reader has a highlight and comment feature you can use to take notes on vocabulary.  You can do the same thing with e-books on Kindle, Nook, and other e-readers.

Writing (or typing) definitions in the margins will help you remember the words. Those notes are also useful when you refer back to that article or study it for a test!

A tip for learning words is that when you write something by hand you remember it better than when you type something.  Compare writing with typing and see which works best for you.

3. Create a Vocabulary Map

A vocabulary map is where you write a word in a circle in the middle of your paper (or in a computer document) and have other words or ideas connected to that word.  Some words or concepts you could include in your map could be:

• Examples of the word
• Definition of the word (dictionary)
• Your own definition
• Related words

There are many different types of vocabulary maps online.  Search for the phrase academic vocabulary map in Pinterest or Google Images and you will see many results.   There are also great free mapping tools that you can use to create vocabulary maps:

• Wise Mapping http://www.wisemapping.com/
• Mind Mup 2 https://www.mindmup.com/
• Connected Mind Map App for Google Chrome http://connected-mind.appspot.com/

If you are a visual learner, vocabulary maps are a great way to study words and remember them. To see more about how to use vocabulary maps, check out my blog post, “Vocabulary Maps 101: How to Rapidly Increase Your Academic Vocabulary” https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/vocabulary-maps-101-how-to-increase-academic-vocabulary/

And watch the video to see the vocabulary map I created with Mind Mup 2.

4. Make Vocabulary Flashcards

This is like a word journal, but instead of writing the words in a journal, you create flashcards for each word. I recommend using 5 X 8 index cards.  For each flashcard:

• Write the main word on the top of your flashcard.
• Look up the definition in the dictionary and write your own definition of that word.
• Write a sentence using that word.
• If the word is part of a word family, write those words underneath, and define them in your own words.

Flashcards are a great way to practice vocabulary from the Academic Word List (AWL) because it’s easy to flip through your cards and practice 5-7 words a day.

5. Use Academic Vocabulary in Your Essays

Use academic words in your essays and papers!  A great time to do this is when you write the first draft of your academic paper. When you revise your paper, ask the person reading it to check and see if the academic words are used correctly.  When your teacher, tutor or other students read your paper they will know to check the words you used.

Adding common and subject-area academic vocabulary to essays and research papers elevates your academic writing.  It shows your readers you have a thorough understanding of your content.  Also, these words give you a chance to be clear and specific about what you mean. The right blend of vocabulary in your writing ups the level of your essays and papers. But beware of using too many academic words or using words you don’t understand. The best way to avoid that is by having someone else read your writing–someone who will tell you when your ideas and words are confusing.

Boost your academic vocabulary

Academic vocabulary is crucial to your success as a student.  It helps you with reading comprehension and it helps you write impressive academic essays and papers. These 5 methods are great for learning academic vocabulary, but the best way to master new words is by using them every chance you get.

So, decide what technique/s above you like to boost your academic vocabulary, and start using academic vocabulary in your writing.  Over time it will raise the quality of your essays and academic papers making them more persuasive and effective.

What way of learning academic vocabulary is your favorite?  Please comment below with your ideas.

I love being able to write the word down and the definition. I then add to it and do a quick sketch to really give the word meaning to it.

Yes, that is a really a good idea. I like being able to sketch the word too. I love this idea for subject and discipline words. It can make them very clear in my mind. My problem is drawing sketches for the Academic Word List words. I get stumped on drawing them. I will try doing sketches some more, and see if I can do better with them.

I used to keep a word journal (and called it my own dictionary) as a kid. It was a good way to consciously learn new words from all the books (fiction) I read. Given that I went through 3 books a day during my summer holidays the journal became very fat. I just used to browse through those words later and see if I can remember the context in which it was used and then come up with a sentence on my own. That was an interesting exercise. I love the idea of flashcards. Am going to implement that going forward.

Vasudha, what a great story. I know many people who like to use word journals. They’re a great way to learn vocabulary.

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17 academic words and phrases to use in your essay

(Last updated: 20 October 2022)

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For the vast majority of students, essay writing doesn't always come easily. Writing at academic level is an acquired skill that can literally take years to master – indeed, many students find they only start to feel really confident writing essays just as their undergraduate course comes to an end!

If this is you, and you've come here looking for words and phrases to use in your essay, you're in the right place. We’ve pulled together a list of essential academic words you can use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essays .

Whilst your ideas and arguments should always be your own, borrowing some of the words and phrases listed below is a great way to articulate your ideas more effectively, and ensure that you keep your reader’s attention from start to finish.

It goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway) that there's a certain formality that comes with academic writing. Casual and conversational phrases have no place. Obviously, there are no LOLs, LMFAOs, and OMGs. But formal academic writing can be much more subtle than this, and as we've mentioned above, requires great skill.

So, to get you started on polishing your own essay writing ability, try using the words in this list as an inspirational starting point.

Words to use in your introduction

The trickiest part of academic writing often comes right at the start, with your introduction. Of course, once you’ve done your plan and have your arguments laid out, you need to actually put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and begin your essay.

You need to consider that your reader doesn’t have a clue about your topic or arguments, so your first sentence must summarise these. Explain what your essay is going to talk about as though you were explaining it to a five year old – without losing the formality of your academic writing, of course! To do this, use any of the below words or phrases to help keep you on track.

1. Firstly, secondly, thirdly

Even though it sounds obvious, your argument will be clearer if you deliver the ideas in the right order. These words can help you to offer clarity and structure to the way you expose your ideas. This is an extremely effective method of presenting the facts clearly. Don’t be too rigid and feel you have to number each point, but using this system can be a good way to get an argument off the ground, and link arguments together.

2. In view of; in light of; considering

These essay phrases are useful to begin your essay. They help you pose your argument based on what other authors have said or a general concern about your research. They can also both be used when a piece of evidence sheds new light on an argument. Here’s an example: The result of the American invasion has severely impaired American interests in the Middle East, exponentially increasing popular hostility to the United States throughout the region, a factor which has proved to be a powerful recruitment tool for extremist terrorist groups (Isakhan, 2015). Considering [or In light of / In view of] the perceived resulting threat to American interests, it could be argued that the Bush administration failed to fully consider the impact of their actions before pushing forward with the war.

3. According to X; X stated that; referring to the views of X

Introducing the views of an author who has a comprehensive knowledge of your particular area of study is a crucial part of essay writing. Including a quote that fits naturally into your work can be a bit of a struggle, but these academic phrases provide a great way in.

Even though it’s fine to reference a quote in your introduction, we don’t recommend you start your essay with a direct quote. Use your own words to sum up the views you’re mentioning, for example:

As Einstein often reiterated, experiments can prove theories, but experiments don’t give birth to theories.

Rather than:

“A theory can be proved by experiment, but no path leads from experiment to the birth of a theory.” {Albert Einstein, 1954, Einstein: A Biography}.

See the difference?

And be sure to reference correctly too, when using quotes or paraphrasing someone else's words.

Adding information and flow

The flow of your essay is extremely important. You don’t want your reader to be confused by the rhythm of your writing and get distracted away from your argument, do you? No! So, we recommend using some of the following ‘flow’ words, which are guaranteed to help you articulate your ideas and arguments in a chronological and structured order.

4. Moreover; furthermore; in addition; what’s more

These types of academic phrases are perfect for expanding or adding to a point you’ve already made without interrupting the flow altogether. “Moreover”, “furthermore” and “in addition” are also great linking phrases to begin a new paragraph.

Here are some examples: The dissociation of tau protein from microtubules destabilises the latter resulting in changes to cell structure, and neuronal transport. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction leads to further oxidative stress causing increased levels of nitrous oxide, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidases.

On the data of this trial, no treatment recommendations should be made. The patients are suspected, but not confirmed, to suffer from pneumonia. Furthermore, five days is too short a follow up time to confirm clinical cure.

5. In order to; to that end; to this end

These are helpful academic phrases to introduce an explanation or state your aim. Oftentimes your essay will have to prove how you intend to achieve your goals. By using these sentences you can easily expand on points that will add clarity to the reader.

For example: My research entailed hours of listening and recording the sound of whales in order to understand how they communicate.

Dutch tech companies offer support in the fight against the virus. To this end, an online meeting took place on Wednesday...

Even though we recommend the use of these phrases, DO NOT use them too often. You may think you sound like a real academic but it can be a sign of overwriting!

6. In other words; to put it another way; that is; to put it more simply

Complement complex ideas with simple descriptions by using these sentences. These are excellent academic phrases to improve the continuity of your essay writing. They should be used to explain a point you’ve already made in a slightly different way. Don’t use them to repeat yourself, but rather to elaborate on a certain point that needs further explanation. Or, to succinctly round up what just came before.

For example: A null hypothesis is a statement that there is no relationship between phenomena. In other words, there is no treatment effect.

Nothing could come to be in this pre-world time, “because no part of such a time possesses, as compared with any other, a distinguishing condition of existence rather than non-existence.” That is, nothing exists in this pre-world time, and so there can be nothing that causes the world to come into existence.

7. Similarly; likewise; another key fact to remember; as well as; an equally significant aspect of

These essay words are a good choice to add a piece of information that agrees with an argument or fact you just mentioned. In academic writing, it is very relevant to include points of view that concur with your opinion. This will help you to situate your research within a research context.

Also , academic words and phrases like the above are also especially useful so as not to repeat the word ‘also’ too many times. (We did that on purpose to prove our point!) Your reader will be put off by the repetitive use of simple conjunctions. The quality of your essay will drastically improve just by using academic phrases and words such as ‘similarly’, ‘as well as’, etc. Here, let us show you what we mean:

In 1996, then-transport minister Steve Norris enthused about quadrupling cycling trips by 2012. Similarly, former prime minister David Cameron promised a “cycling revolution” in 2013…

Or Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) aims to bridge the gap of access to electricity across the continent (...). Another key fact to remember is that it must expand cost-efficient access to electricity to nearly 1 billion people.

The wording “not only… but also” is a useful way to elaborate on a similarity in your arguments but in a more striking way.

Comparing and contrasting information

Academic essays often include opposite opinions or information in order to prove a point. It is important to show all the aspects that are relevant to your research. Include facts and researchers’ views that disagree with a point of your essay to show your knowledge of your particular field of study. Below are a few words and ways of introducing alternative arguments.

8. Conversely; however; alternatively; on the contrary; on the other hand; whereas

Finding a seamless method to present an alternative perspective or theory can be hard work, but these terms and phrases can help you introduce the other side of the argument. Let's look at some examples:

89% of respondents living in joint families reported feeling financially secure. Conversely, only 64% of those who lived in nuclear families said they felt financially secure.

The first protagonist has a social role to fill in being a father to those around him, whereas the second protagonist relies on the security and knowledge offered to him by Chaplin.

“On the other hand” can also be used to make comparisons when worded together with “on the one hand.”

9. By contrast; in comparison; then again; that said; yet

These essay phrases show contrast, compare facts, and present uncertainty regarding a point in your research. “That said” and “yet” in particular will demonstrate your expertise on a topic by showing the conditions or limitations of your research area. For example:

All the tests were positive. That said, we must also consider the fact that some of them had inconclusive results.

10. Despite this; provided that; nonetheless

Use these phrases and essay words to demonstrate a positive aspect of your subject-matter regardless of lack of evidence, logic, coherence, or criticism. Again, this kind of information adds clarity and expertise to your academic writing.

A good example is:

Despite the criticism received by X, the popularity of X remains undiminished.

11. Importantly; significantly; notably; another key point

Another way to add contrast is by highlighting the relevance of a fact or opinion in the context of your research. These academic words help to introduce a sentence or paragraph that contains a very meaningful point in your essay.

Giving examples

A good piece of academic writing will always include examples. Illustrating your essay with examples will make your arguments stronger. Most of the time, examples are a way to clarify an explanation; they usually offer an image that the reader can recognise. The most common way to introduce an illustration is “for example.” However, in order not to repeat yourself here are a few other options.

12. For instance; to give an illustration of; to exemplify; to demonstrate; as evidence; to elucidate

The academic essays that are receiving top marks are the ones that back up every single point made. These academic phrases are a useful way to introduce an example. If you have a lot of examples, avoid repeating the same phrase to facilitate the readability of your essay.

Here’s an example:

‘High involvement shopping’, an experiential process described by Wu et al. (2015, p. 299) relies upon the development of an identity-based alliance between the customer and the brand. Celebrity status at Prada, for example, has created an alliance between the brand and a new generation of millennial customers.

Concluding your essay

Concluding words for essays are necessary to wrap up your argument. Your conclusion must include a brief summary of the ideas that you just exposed without being redundant. The way these ideas are expressed should lead to the final statement and core point you have arrived at in your present research.

13. In conclusion; to conclude; to summarise; in sum; in the final analysis; on close analysis

These are phrases for essays that will introduce your concluding paragraph. You can use them at the beginning of a sentence. They will show the reader that your essay is coming to an end:

On close analysis and appraisal, we see that the study by Cortis lacks essential features of the highest quality quantitative research.

14. Persuasive; compelling

Essay words like these ones can help you emphasize the most relevant arguments of your paper. Both are used in the same way: “the most persuasive/compelling argument is…”.

15. Therefore; this suggests that; it can be seen that; the consequence is

When you’re explaining the significance of the results of a piece of research, these phrases provide the perfect lead up to your explanation.

16. Above all; chiefly; especially; most significantly; it should be noted

Your summary should include the most relevant information or research factor that guided you to your conclusion. Contrary to words such as “persuasive” or “compelling”, these essay words are helpful to draw attention to an important point. For example:

The feasibility and effectiveness of my research has been proven chiefly in the last round of laboratory tests.

Film noir is, and will continue to be, highly debatable, controversial, and unmarketable – but above all, for audience members past, present and to come, extremely enjoyable as a form of screen media entertainment.

17. All things considered

This essay phrase is meant to articulate how you give reasons to your conclusions. It means that after you considered all the aspects related to your study, you have arrived to the conclusion you are demonstrating.

After mastering the use of these academic words and phrases, we guarantee you will see an immediate change in the quality of your essays. The structure will be easier to follow, and the reader’s experience will improve. You’ll also feel more confident articulating your ideas and using facts and examples. So jot them all down, and watch your essays go from ‘good’ to ‘great’!

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100 Rare Words With Beautiful Meanings

Language is a tool that allows us to express ourselves in countless ways, and it’s the source of some of the most beautiful and powerful expressions of human emotion. Yet, even for seasoned wordsmiths, the English language can sometimes feel limiting.

That’s where rare and unusual words come in – they can convey complex meanings with just a few letters and add depth to any conversation or writing.

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Many of these words may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. However, they still possess charm and beauty, and learning them can enrich your understanding and appreciation of English.

So whether you’re a writer looking to expand your vocabulary or someone who enjoys exploring the intricacies of language, read on and discover some of the most exquisite words in the English lexicon.

Nihilarian: A person who deals with things lacking in substance or meaning, often in a philosophical sense. Velleity: A mere wish or inclination that lacks the motivation or intention to act on it. Psithurism: The sound of rustling leaves or wind through trees. Selenolatry: The worship of the moon. Clinomania: An excessive desire to stay in bed or a reluctance to get out of bed. Serendipity: The occurrence of happy or beneficial events by chance or luck. Ephemeral: Something that is fleeting or short-lived, often used to describe a moment or feeling. Limerence: The state of being infatuated or obsessed with someone or something. Ethereal: Something that is delicate, airy, and heavenly. Penumbra: The partial shadow that appears during an eclipse or in a shaded area. Mellifluous: A sound that is sweet and smooth, often used to describe music or voices. Vellichor: The strange wistfulness of used bookstores. Ineffable: Something that is beyond words or description, often used to describe a profound experience or feeling. Aureate: Something that is golden, shining, or brilliant. Aesthete: A person who has a deep appreciation for beauty, art, and taste. Euphoria: A feeling of intense happiness or excitement. Apricity: The warmth of the sun in winter. I love this one! Incandescence: The emission of light by a hot object, often used to describe a dazzling brilliance or radiance. Supernal: Something that is heavenly or divine. Sonder: The realization that each passerby has a life as complex as one’s own. Halcyon: A period of time that is peaceful, happy, and carefree. Soliloquy: A solo speech or monologue delivered by a character in a play or movie. Chrysalism: The peaceful feeling that comes from being indoors during a thunderstorm. Luminous: Something that radiates light or has a glowing quality. Philocalist: A lover of beauty and all things beautiful. Numinous: Something that is spiritual, mysterious, or awe-inspiring. Inamorata: A woman who is loved or admired by someone. Sempiternal: Something that is eternal or everlasting. Aestivate: To spend the summer in a state of torpor or dormancy. Ailurophobia: An irrational fear of cats. Pulchritude: Beauty or physical attractiveness. Clinquant: Glittering or showy, often used to describe clothing or jewelry. Eunoia: Beautiful thinking or a well-disposed mind. Efflorescence: A blooming or flowering, often used to describe a period of creativity or prosperity. Penchant: A strong inclination or liking for something. Adoxography: Skilled writing on a trivial or unimportant subject. Scintilla: A spark or tiny amount of something, often used to describe a small flash of inspiration. Irredentist: A person who advocates for the recovery of territories that were once a part of their nation. Quiescent: Something that is quiet or still, often used to describe a calm and peaceful scene. Inscrutable: Something that is difficult to understand or interpret. Querencia: A place where one feels safe and at home, often used in bullfighting to describe the spot where the bull feels most secure. Sagacity: Wisdom or good judgment, often used to describe an older person. Ineffaceable: Something that cannot be erased or forgotten. Apotheosis: The highest point or peak, often used to describe the pinnacle of achievement or greatness. Noctilucent: Something that glows or shines at night, often used to describe clouds or other atmospheric phenomena. Quintessence: The purest or most perfect form of something. Thalassophile: A lover of the sea or ocean. They sound like my kind of person! Hygge: A danish word for a cozy, comfortable feeling of warmth and contentment. Pastiche: A work of art that imitates the style of another artist or period, often used to describe a mash-up or blend of different styles. Lissome: Something that is graceful, flexible, or agile, often used to describe a dancer or athlete. Solipsism: The belief that only one’s own mind is sure to exist. Phew! Ostensible: Something that appears to be true or real, but may not be. Halation: The halo-like effect produced by light in photographs. Flâneur: A person who walks the city streets with no particular purpose, often just observing and experiencing the city life. Mellisonant: Something that is sweet and pleasing to the ear, often used to describe music or singing. Inamorato: A man who is loved or admired by someone. Nubivagant: Wandering in the clouds, often used to describe a dreamer or someone lost in thought. Eleutheromania: An intense desire for freedom or liberation. Luminiferous: Something that produces light, often used in physics to describe electromagnetic waves. Petrichor: The pleasant earthy smell that comes after rain. My absolutely favorite! Taciturn: Someone who is habitually silent or reserved in speech. Sussurous: A soft, whispering or rustling sound, often used to describe the sound of leaves in the wind. Pneuma: The breath of life, often used in ancient philosophy and religion. Verisimilitude: The appearance of being true or real, often used in literature and art to describe realistic details or settings. Xenization: The act of traveling as a stranger or foreigner. Selenophile: A lover of the moon. Let’s face it though, who doesn’t love the moon? Agathism: The belief in the ultimate triumph of good over evil. I like this one. Irenic: Promoting peace or reconciliation, often used to describe a peaceful personality or a peaceful solution to conflict. Liminal: Occupying a position at or on both sides of a boundary or threshold, often used to describe a transitional state or space. Vernalagnia: A romantic mood brought on by spring. Opulence: Great wealth or luxuriousness, often used to describe lavish surroundings or lifestyle. Anemoia: Nostalgia for a time you’ve never known. Bombinate: To make a humming or buzzing sound, often used to describe the sound of bees or machinery. Hypnagogic: Relating to the state of drowsiness or transition to sleep, often used to describe the strange, dreamlike experiences that can happen during this time. Selenology: The scientific study of the moon.Who doesn’t just love to gaze at the moon? Mellification: The process of turning a human body into honey, as was believed to be possible in ancient times. Nostomania: An intense homesickness or longing for a place you once lived or visited. Somnambulist: A sleepwalker, often used to describe someone who acts unconsciously or mechanically. Sylph: A graceful, slender and delicate person, often used to describe a woman. Visceral: Relating to deep inner feelings, often used to describe a gut feeling or a powerful emotional response. Ubiety: The condition of having a definite or specific place, often used to describe a sense of belonging or identity. Verspertine: Relating to the evening or occurring in the evening, often used to describe nocturnal animals or activities. Xylophile: A person who loves wood, often used to describe someone with an interest in woodworking or forest ecology. Aquiver: Quivering, trembling, or vibrating, often used to describe a sense of anticipation or excitement. Callipygian: Having beautifully shaped buttocks. Cheeky!v Fugacious: Fleeting, transitory, or impermanent, often used to describe something that doesn’t last long. Lilt: A light, happy, or lilting movement or sound, often used to describe a happy or carefree tone. Syzygy: The alignment of three celestial objects, such as the sun, moon, and earth, often used to describe a rare and beautiful astronomical event. Ultracrepidarian: Someone who speaks or offers opinions on matters beyond their knowledge or expertise. Unputdownable: Impossible to put down, often used to describe a book or other piece of literature that is so engaging that one cannot stop reading it. Eudaimonia: A Greek word that describes a state of contentment and happiness that comes from living a meaningful life. Selcouth: An old English word that describes something that is unfamiliar, strange, and yet marvelous at the same time. Hiraeth: A Welsh word that describes a longing for a place or time in the past that can never be regained. Nefelibata: A Portuguese word that describes a person who lives in the clouds of their own imagination or dreams, an idealistic or impractical person. Saudade: A Portuguese word that describes a deep feeling of longing for something that one has lost or that has never existed, an emotional state of melancholic nostalgia. Wabi-Sabi: A Japanese word that describes a worldview centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection, finding beauty in the imperfect and incomplete. Mamihlapinatapei: A Yaghan word from Tierra del Fuego that describes a wordless, meaningful look between two people who both desire something but are hesitant to initiate. Heliolatry: A worship or reverence of the sun. Providence: The protective care of a higher power or the universe, often resulting in good fortune or opportunities. Serendipitous: Adjective form of Serendipity, meaning occurring by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

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More Word Lists

List Of Words With The Suffix “dic”

List Of Words Containing “Ir”

List Of Words With The Prefix “sol”

List Of 9-Letter Words Ending With A-Z

List Of Popular Tongue Twisters

List Of Words Starting With “B” And Ending With “E”

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Top 100 List of Dictionary Words: Most Unusual Words You Should Know

Here is our top list of dictionary words that you can add to your writing. Read our guide.

Although the exact number of words in the English language is still uncertain, we use more than 170,000 common and unusual words today. Unusual English words can make your writing and speaking more interesting. Check out our list of the most extraordinary words to expand your vocabulary and upgrade your writing skills.

What Are Unusual Words?

Unusual nouns, unusual adjectives, unusual verbs, unusual beautiful english words, more unusual words in the english dictionary.

These are the words recorded in different dictionary versions that are not usually used in conversation or writing. However, some writers employ unusual words because they are fun, unique, and sometimes the only way to get their message across or to immerse readers in a specific historical era or fantasy setting. 

The English dictionary has thousands of fancy and uncommon words you can see in some writings but won’t be able to hear in conversations. Like other nouns, people use these words to name living and non-living things.

Her previous penchant for touching her neck has turned into an agastopia .

Niki has a talent for creating art using chads of different paper types.

His explanation for cheating on his wife is a complete flimflam .

• Floccinaucinihilipilification

Floccinaucinihilipilification is a 29-character word among the longest words in the English dictionary.

The client requests a larger halfpace with bigger storage space under the stairs.

• Kakorrhaphiophobia

Juliet needs professional help as her Kakorrhaphiophobia now interferes with her daily life.

Jay doesn’t know if what he feels towards his friend is love or pure limerence .

• Omnishambles

Derren’s birthday party is disorganized, resulting in omnishambles and more expenses.

The brothers’ persiflage demonstrates their fondness for each other.

Our dance teacher loves using the quincunx formation in our performances.

To complete our medieval era theme, we must create quire manuscripts.

• Serendipity

My best serendipity was when mom made me clean out the attic, and I found vintage and branded clothes.

The wife knits a snood to keep her husband’s neck warm in the coming winter.

• Tintinnabulation

Jake rushes to his window at the sound of familiar tintinnabulation from the streets below.

Mom asked the waiter to pack our tittynopes so she could give them to our animals at home.

• Triskaidekaphobia

If you notice that most high buildings don’t have a 13th floor, it’s because the owners and contractors have triskaidekaphobia .

World peace lately seems like a velleity.  

• Winklepicker

My dad has winklepicker boots because they remind him of his favorite British rock band,  Teddy Boys .

Gray accepts his loss as he looks at the yarborough in his hand.

No one knows when he will reach the zenith of his popularity.

Adjectives describe the characteristics and features of a person, thing, animal, place, and others. Unusual adjectives are essential because profound and unusual words make the description more beautiful and compelling.

The new president has ambiguous dreams for the country.

His lab results for the past three months have been very capricious .

Having Alexa as a group leader is terrible because she has a cynical view of everything.

• Deliquescent

Our chemistry teacher asked us to bring a deliquescent substance for our experiment tomorrow.

Sunshine presents esoteric ideas to her managers that they do not clearly understand.

Johnny likes to upload videos of his post- jentacular exercise on his social media accounts.

Hani is a loquacious member and deserves to represent the team during the discussions.

Her lucid dreams make her believe she’s a modern prophet.

Our English professor mentions a 5,000-word narrative essay about life goals as our final project.

Folding my late grandfather’s clothes gives me a nostalgic feeling.

• Nudiustertian

You should have told me you couldn’t do that nudiustertian afternoon when we were together.

Kevin has a very obdurate attitude that always causes friction in their relationship.

• Perspicacious

A good leader must have great perspicacious thinking.

In most cases, children create quixotic goals and change them as they grow.

• Scrumptious

Just thinking about my mother-in-law’s scrumptious dish makes my mouth water.

I recommend going to a serene place away from the city and technology for total relaxation.

His tenacious studying keeps him on top of the students’ ranking.

• Ulotrichous

Mikaela has always had ulotrichous hair and wants to see if straight hair suits her.

The cook has an uncanny way of cooking and serving seafood to customers.

The people accuse the witch of all the wanton killings that recently happened in their town.

Unusual action words are primarily for formal pieces and in novels, stories, and other narrative writings.

I want to abord the transfer student, but she doesn’t want to talk to anyone.

As your life coach, I hope you will adhibit what you learned from this retreat.

The police chief had no choice but to allow the police to bastinade the protesters as they began to attack other officers.

According to the map, we must bypass the late president’s old mansion and turn right to reach the destination.

Introverts Aran and Honey cachinnate after hearing the teacher’s dad jokes, surprising everyone in the room.

To ensure catching the fish, gently dap the bait in the water.

Miss Andrews, please eclaircise your statement.

• Flabbergast

Their performance at tomorrow’s event will surely flabbergast the audience.

My mother gallizes the unfermented grape juice to ensure that there is enough for everyone.

Violet is the type of person who will hent every opportunity presented to her.

• Impignorate

We must impignorate our valuable things to support grandad’s hospital bills.

Be careful about lending money to James because he can levant as he did with Carla.

Mabble your paper with a summary of all your research findings.

It’s sad to see children having to nebulize a solution to breathe easier.

To pejorate the situation, the King’s stubborn brother kidnaps the Queen to force her into marriage.

Driven by rage, the King quackles his brother to death.

To quell today’s meeting, here are the names of those who will be promoted at the end of the year.

They plan to vamp their way into the club.

You can see the old man’s thirst as he xertzes everything in the bottle to the last drop.

My mother will always yearn for the return of my father, who disappeared three years ago.

English will always be laden with words depicting beauty in all shapes and forms. These terms often engross readers and listeners with a story’s whimsical elements. They are also for positive or motivational messages.

You’re like a beautiful aurora that lightens up my dark life.

If I buy a new place to stay, it will be a bungalow house.

I promise to cherish all our memories together.

Many people like Lilly because of her demure personality.

The healer made the King drink an elixir that cured his illness.

He has always been by my side and loves me for me. He’s my ultimate euphoria .

I want to have an idyllic love story, but real life isn’t a fairytale.

Clyde’s parents are concerned about his obsession with incendiary objects.

Of all the dance club members, Jimmy has the lithest moves.

• Mellifluous

The singer’s mellifluous voice makes for a great jazz album.

He’s my nemesis but also my greatest friend.

He is a billionaire with a good heart who shows off his opulence by regularly donating to various organizations.

He is a true example of paradox – what he says contradicts his actions.

It’s funny that we only get a plethora of messages on our birthdays and never when we actually need someone to talk to.

My husband is obsessed with keeping our kitchen as pristine as it was when we first moved in.

• Quintessence

Many believe that the late president  Franklin D. Roosevelt  is the quintessence of a good and effective leader.

• Renaissance

Let’s watch “ The Serpent Queen ” I heard it’s set during the renaissance period.

Our manager remains sanguine that we will hit the quota tomorrow.

He’s about to fulfill his wanderlust as he is now a cabin crew member of the Royal Caribbean.

• Wherewithal

Mae can’t get her school records because she doesn’t have the wherewithal to pay her balances.

Knowing more unusual words broadens knowledge and deepens your appreciation of the language. Expand your vocabulary with these words that you can use in different writings and situations.

Mayor Rodriguez is asking for an order to open the aboideau to prevent the dam from breaking to avoid a bigger disaster.

The restaurant owner smiles when he sees all his kitchen staff wearing barmcloths .

I’m looking for a caffoy suit to wear to the school prom on Saturday.

Until now, she’s still experiencing calvary on the passing of her grandmother.

• Decalcomania

Ryan uses the decalcomania technique in producing his beautiful glass art.

My sister has been a dragoman in Saudi Arabia for a decade.

They were lost but found the right way back to their camp in eftsoons .

Richard is the only one who stays with Sophia even when she admits she has genophobia .

Mark doesn’t have a choice but to send her mother to a hospitium to earn money to support both of them.

Some of our patients are put under  hypnosis to relax their minds before a medical procedure.

Everyone is helping the victim to immure her abuser.

Since he’s the youngest, he still has a very jejune understanding of his surroundings.

He didn’t understand why he suddenly felt melancholy after finishing the movie.

• Misanthrope

Old Henry admits he’s a misanthrope , so he chooses to live in the forest for good.

Out of pique , he gave up his position as the group leader.

• Rambunctious

The outdoor event becomes rambunctious the moment more people arrive at the venue.

Did you know that the ancient Greeks practiced uranism to foster strong bonds between masters and apprentices?

It’s good to know politicians are doing their best to stop xenophobia in the country.

I’m sorry, but your speech a while ago is a yawner .

Adelle is a zealot of Korean pop and has a massive collection in her room.

Do you want to learn more? See our list of fry words to develop your English.

When editing for grammar, we also recommend taking the time to improve the readability score of a piece of writing before publishing or submitting

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Why Authors Should Be Using the BIG Words

I’m a vocabulary nut. I admit it. I love words. Little words, big words, unusual words, archaic words. In high school, I kept a piece of paper in the front of whatever book I was reading, so I could write down unfamiliar words and look them up the next day. Whenever I looked up a word, I underlined it, and these days, if you were to flip through my battered Random House Dictionary, you’d be hard pressed to find a page that didn’t have three or four words underlined.

Not surprisingly, this obsession overflows into my writing. I love being able to share a word that perfectly describes something . I’m ecstatic when a particular word absolutely nails what I’m trying to say. But what happens when an author’s audience isn’t as interested in their vocabulary as the author is in his?

Have Modern Writers Forgotten the Art of the Big Words?

The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman (affiliate link)

It’s a sad fact that modern society is no longer as literate as it once was—and most authors don’t seem to be doing a lot to raise the bar. Literary agent Noah Lukeman, author of the popular The First Five Pages , shares the lamentation:

…extended vocabulary, if properly used, is impressive. It is rare to come across unusual words in manuscripts these days. It is as if all of today’s writers were working from a high school-level vocabulary—and writers who do use unusual words more often than not mis use them.

The arguments against using large and possibly unfamiliar words include the idea that you must match your writing to your readers’ level. If your readers aren’t likely to recognize a word, then its usage will only serve to confuse them and possibly even alienate them.

Plus, there’s always the risk of committing the cardinal sin of drawing the reader’s attention away from the story to the author himself. Some people claim the use of large words is a cheap gimmick that says, in essence, “Look at me! Look how smart I am!”

These arguments certainly aren’t without merit. In his 1946 essay “Politics and the English Language,” British satirist George Orwell outlined a “remedy of six rules” to combat what he considered the “ugly and inaccurate” writing of the day. In the light of the solid advice of Rule #3 that one should “ never use a long word where a short will do ,” it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that a long, specific word beats the pants off a short, general word any day of the week.

Should You Ever Considering Dumbing Down Your Vocabulary for Your Readers?

What if the long word isn’t necessarily going to be familiar to the reading public? What’s a writer to do? Do we dumb down our writing, simplify it, cut out the beauty and precision of millennia of linguistic evolution—and with every deletion risk the permanent maiming of our language? Or do we stretch ourselves to embrace the endless possibilities lurking in our dictionaries? Award-winning non-fiction author Michael Perry commented that:

If the word is beautiful, unusual, attractive, it sounds cool, it’s got great rhythm—and, by the way, it means exactly what you mean to say—why shouldn’t you use it? Why in this day and age should we be apologizing for keeping these words alive? We’re killin’ ’em. We’re doing away with them as fast as we can…. It’s not about being snobby. It’s about being excited about language.

A book is a contract between writer and reader. The writer bears the responsibility to do his best to make his work legible and precise. But readers also bear a responsibility: to rise to the book’s intellectual challenge. Although books are all too often relegated to the realm of mere entertainment, they are also an endless source of education. And, as such, readers should expect to be lifted above themselves in some way.

As writers, we should strive to lift our readers. But like any good teacher, we must also make sense. We must find the balance between asking a reader to grow and losing him completely. We’re all striving toward that balance. Here’s to reaching it!

Wordplayers, tell me your opinions! How do you determine when to use big words—and when to simplify your vocabulary? Tell me in the comments!

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K.M. Weiland is the award-winning and internationally-published author of the acclaimed writing guides Outlining Your Novel , Structuring Your Novel , and Creating Character Arcs . A native of western Nebraska, she writes historical and fantasy novels and mentors authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors.

I love to toss in the occasional $.25 word and have a critquer go “what does __________ mean?”

I find it funny, but not in a nice way, when people do this. Ask me? Hello, Google! And as KM says in the next post down, yeah, your personal vocabulary is not my standard to which I write. Why would I deny somebody the excitement that I had, for example, when I discovered the oh-so-perfect word stygian to mean perfect dark with an ominous under-current? (thank you Stephen King). What kind of real reader does NOT want to learn new words!?

I’ll never forget the critter who told me I should delete all the words he didn’t know – as if his own vocabulary should have been the litmus test for the rest of the world. I get a kick out of that every time I think about it!

You’ve given me a lot to mull over in your post. I’m not sure that I consciously think about what words I’m using as I write. Mostly what’s inside comes out. If I’ve read deeply and have developed my vocabulary, then it will naturally flow in my story. If the words aren’t already inside me, then I’ll have to force them, and it will probably disrupt the flow of the story.

If the words are there naturally, and they’re just pouring forth, they’re probably exactly the words you want to be writing. When you’re instinctively drawing from the deep well of a broad vocabulary, your subconscious often has a sense of what’s appropriate – sometimes more so than your conscious. It’s when you’re consciously picking thousand-dollar words that you need to stop and consider your intentions.

Quite interesting. I usually try to add one or two words into every piece I write that I know aren’t in general use. It’s a small way of trying to enlighten the public (if they take responsibility for looking them up) and hopefully encourage them to expand their understanding of the language.

Kudos to you. I firmly believe that the only way we’re going to turn around this saddening degeneration of our language is to not only persist in using our vocabularies in our writing, but in also learning to use them to maximum effect.

I agree with you, Katie. It worries me how un-interested many millenials seem about reading, learning, words. As you know, I’ve had my own crisis with ‘writer vocabulary’ r/t one of my Beta Readers saying the vocab “got in the way of the story”. I was initially shocked outta my gourd, then went back and re-read as objectively as possible. I just couldn’t take a scalpel to my work . It was only one Beta reader but he shook me up , saying “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were showing off “. Boy did that ever sting ! 🙁 I questioned having selected him in the first place, of course. My bad.

The article link you sent me ( also the one posted above) was such great medicine and helped a great deal . It seems I’m always thanking you, Miz Katie, so let me add another one to the pile:

Thank you so much for the incredible resource you so graciously supply all us struggling authors.

You’re very welcome! I’m glad this old post was an encouragement. I do think it’s very important for us to be careful in selecting beta readers. Although we have to be able to accept valid criticism, it’s absolutely true that not everyone’s opinion is equally valuable.

The last conference I went to, a speaker insinuated that since the publishers are producing 6th grade reading level material that we should watch our reading level when we write. It was so hard for me to keep my tongue in. If we willingly only produce literature at a sixth grade reading level we are guilty of the reading public’s lack of reading skills. Where did I get my vocabulary? From reading. I will mourn the day when there are no more contemporarily written books with high end words.

You’ve hit the nail on the head. Someone once told me, in regard to a word he didn’t know, that “no one writes words like those.” To which, of course, I replied, “Well, someone had to. How else would I have learned it?”

The dumbing down of language is a self-destructive cycle that we cannot allow to continue.

Very well stated, my sweet friend! All too often I have tossed out a word that I was afraid others would not know. I love coming across a word I do not know and then look it up. One function of Word that I love to use, but don’t use enough, is the readibility statistics under Spelling and Grammar. I love to structure a sentence in order to get the highest reading level. Thanks for this, Katie. We are certainly being dumbed down.

Thanks for reminder about the statistics in Word. I remember somebody pointing it out to me a while back, but I’d forgotten all about it. I’ll have to go check it out!

I’ve often said that one perfect big word can take the place of many smaller, dumber words. 😉

great post. i’ve been told my writing was too formal, and part of that was the use of big words or phrases above that 5th-grade level you mentioned. sigh. i love words, though. and long ones don’t intimidate me! 🙂

I appreciate unusual words also although I find myself opting for the more familiar ones as I write. Not that I want to but as you mentioned, most writing today is bereft of any words above a fifth grade level. I will seriously consider resurrecting my old favorites and even adding some new.

Thanks for the important nudge.

I don’t purposely use big words, but I don’t shy away from them either. I think the advice to use short words maybe meant more for for beginning or young writers, who will use the biggest word their thesaurus provides for every single word.

I’d say it all comes down to style. If you’re consistent with your large or small vocabulary, your readers will follow along. If you’re all over the place, you might lose some for the reasons you mentioned in your post.

Lynnette Labelle http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

@Phy: That’s good. I’ll remember that one!

@Jeannie: I think it all depends on what style you’re trying to achieve. In some pieces formality is optimal, in others not so much. It’s just a matter of learning to find the right rhythm.

@Shaddy: You’re very welcome! Here’s to revolutionizing vocabulary!

@Kate: Nothing wrong with short words. Often, they *are* the best word for the job. But that doesn’t mean they should be used to the exclusion of the big ones.

@Lynnette: Variety is important – same with words as with sentence structures. Every word in the dictionary – short or long – absolutely has its place.

Wow, what a great post! I am going to start my own list of unfamiliar words. By the way what is that word in the picture?

“Sesquipedalian” means the use of long words. Apropos, don’t you think? 😉

It is interesting how writings are each so different. In high school, I was hard pressed to read a book, let alone carry a dictionary around with highlighed words on it.

I had a lot of catching up to do as an adult, which is a testament to God’s grace and sense of humor.

I’m totally with you on this post. Writers are just drawn to the beauty of language — on all levels.

I don’t think anyone should *have* to carry around a dictionary to highlight words in. That’s the part of the beauty of doing a good job of incorporating words in our writing: if we do it well, readers will get a sense of the meaning form the usage itself!

When I read my first Dorothy Dunnett novel there were many words I’d never heard of but I knew from the context roughly what they meant. However, I was so intrigued I had to get up for a dictionary and check every one! And I loved the whole adventure of ‘digging out’ those golden words even when it meant re-reading the paragraph to get back into the flow.

Yes, I wish I still had time to pursue every unfamiliar word. It was a great experience.

We’ve had this discussion a time or two before, and I can still see both sides of the issue too well to come down in favor of either side.

It’s lonely up here on the fence.

Balance. Writing is all about balance. Maybe sitting up there on the fence and seeing both sides of the issue, you’re finding that balance.

All I can say is that you’ve inspired me to keep paper, pencil and a dictionary close by when I bury myself in a book! 😀 Thank you and love you!

Oh good. Then my job here is done. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by!

I think that if the reader doesn’t know a big word in a book it’s his job to find out what it is…As writers and readers we need to not go looking for the easy way out. We need to look in all ways to grow from the occasion.

Totally agree. Too bad more people aren’t of your way of thinking!

I agree. Beautifully written.

Thank you for reading!

When I was little I used to read the dictionary and encyclopedia for fun! Now I’m on http://www.m-w.com quite often.

Me too! When I was 13 my English teacher awarded me a prize, which was to choose any book I liked from the local bookshop. I took ages browsing (“only one, Sir?) and eventually decided on a Thesaurus – something I had not known existed before then. It only cost Aus$5 at that time and he thought it was such a modest choice he gave me another one (of his choice) to go with it.

That is a truly awesome anecdote!

That’s hilarious! I used to do that too!

Dean Koontz was told he would never sell his novels because the words he used were too big. . .’nuff said.

He made a comment on his website about not insulting the reader’s intelligence and literacy by avoiding big words. I wholeheartedly agree. No matter the size, if a word explains perfectly what you mean and contributes to the flow of the story, use it.

Geeze, what would HP Lovecraft think of us? 🙁

Dean Kootz’s novels are great, and they helped me expand my vocabulary when I was younger. It’s actually sad when my friends ask me about the meaning of this word and that one. And I do think we should challenge ourselves to a higher reading level. And besides, the mark of a true writer is being able to make sure a person understands the big word by context alone.

Great insight about insulting the readers’ intelligence. The problem is, these days, too many readers *ask* to be insulted!

I’m so used to “dumbing down” my language when I talk to people— especially my parents—that using big words doesn’t come naturally for me. I’m working on it though.:)

I think we all tend to do that to one extent or another. One more regrettable side effect of our culture’s downhill vocabulary slide..

I love you for writing this post. I have refused ever to dumb down my vocabulary or go for a cliche phrase because a reader is more familiar with its rhythm.

Reading should be part of how we grow. I know it is for me.

Couldn’t agree more. As a reader, I would disappointed were I never to encounter an unfamiliar word.

The debate about using high-sounding vocabulary or every day words will never cease. I remember individuals complain about the high sounding vocabulary used in the works of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka. One of such person is the Elechi Amadi who himself is an accomplished author especially with his book, The Concubine. However, Soyinka himself doesn’t share such view. Infact, he opined that his books are not meant for the roadside mechanic! This underscores the point in your piece that readers should not only focus on the level of simplicity of communication between reader and writer but should also strive to attain to the intellectual height or praxis of the book itself. Although, I take to heart about balance as advised, I am an apostle of high sounding vocabulary because it gives me the kick and sense of satisfaction that I belong to a select class outside ordinariness. Let’s be realistic, it takes effort and time to build diversity of vocabulary and as such one should have the kick whenever one is successful in the use of such.

Know thy audience–and don’t be ashamed of not being able to speak to everyone.

All it can take, is just one word, denoting a look or a feeling or a reaction to a look, and diction then proves the entire cause of difference between emptiness and fulfilment.

Croyan’s reality, all too easily, could’ve been under-represented; just for lack of a series of pivotal words, and his reality’s sheer finality wouldn’t be known..

Writing really is all about finding the right word.

I use a word-of-the-day app, and often find a word that helps tighten up my writing. I’m a big believer in improving my vocabulary.

Fun! Any good recommendations? I sort of gave up on those after having a hard time finding one that was giving me any new words.

I enjoy reading beautiful prose and poetry. It’s one of the reasons I start reading; it’s one of the reasons I keep reading. I relish the way that words engage all the senses; I love the music they make. Sometimes this engagement demands words and combinations of words not common in every day speech. Fine – I don’t want a common experience! But each story form and genre will demand its own palette and flavour of words. Some of these might be ‘fancy soundin’ book learnin’ words. I think a masterful writer knows the sound of their world, and nails the sense of it consistently throughout their work. Openly demanding that things be ‘dumbed down’ to effect reader engagement is not a literary, but a journalistic requirement.

“I don’t want a common experience” – well put! That is exactly my sentiment as well.

I have mentioned this elsewhere, I was firmly told once that if I used BIG words, like they did in the 1950s, I’d never get published. I was almost ordered to write for an audience with a 30-second attention span – bascially, someone with a high school education. If I wanted to get published and be fashionable, that is. I don’t like fashion.

Sad but true. I think we’re starting to come out of that fad a bit though.

What’s tragic, is that in writer communities, many writers follow the advice of using simple words religiously, and when they critique other writers’ work, they would come down hard on any writer that dares to not follow the rule. Any writer that uses sophisticated diction will be branded as being pretentious and a “thesaurus thumper,” or writing “purple prose.” It’s such a common knee-jerk reaction that it almost seems like they’ve bullied many aspiring writers into writing at a lower level of diction than the story actually calls for. Obviously, the story’s premise and the education level of the characters and narrator should dictate the level of diction used by the writer, but these writers seem to think that everyone should follow the same path of simple prose.

I was once dinged for using a relatively common word that the critiquer happened to be unfamiliar with. He felt that just because *he* didn’t know the word, no one would. The word stayed!

When I was 14 my English teacher a Catholic priest who had a deep knowledge of many languages like Latin,Greek,Italian,Spanish,French and English advised me not to write in a pompous way and to keep my language simple. He noticed that I was reading dictionaries and using too many archaic and unusual words !

I don’t really agree with your position but I must say that you expressed it well. You’ve given me something to think about.

How do you determine when to use big words–and when to simplify your vocabulary?

If the word fits perfectly then it’s the right word. I love my thesaurus( but not too much!) to hunt for a word or words that give the exact meaning, feel, and image that sentence needs to, to.. flow right! I don’t think that writers should purposely put what they think of as “smart” words just to try and show off their vocabulary though that means they’ve focused on the wrong thing.

that thing sure isn’t the story, characters, or plot!

I have a major character that’s a little bit more educated than the Main pov so occasionally I’ll have him use a “smart” word just because he knows them. xD

All words are our friends even: incomprehensibilities. Hey, it taught my spell check a new word. Lol!

I used “quinquagenarian” in a book I’m writing. It’s perfect. It means “a person in his fifties.” If the reader doesn’t recognize it, he or she can just skip it and keep reading.

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Unusual English Words & Rare Words That You Might Not Know - Word List

More content, unusual words with special meanings, why is learning new words so important , rare english words with meaning, rare words flashcards, obscure words in english, english words with multiple meanings, obsolete english words, regional word variations across the us and uk, using rare words .

You might be faced with a word you've never seen before, let alone understand the meaning of it. That's where a list of unusual words and rare English words comes in. Sure, you could grab an English dictionary, but let's face it, it's much easier when it's all in the same place.

This word list goes from the most obscure words to regional variations of words in the US and the world- meaning you'll always distinguish arugula from rocket! These aren't rare words, but they are commonly confusing.

You may have heard of a few of these unusual English words before. Don't worry; we will define them here if you haven't.

• Pareidolia: Physiological phenomenon where people can see patterns, often faces
• Serendipity: The occurrence of fortunate events by chance in a positive way
• Schadenfreude: Getting enjoyment or satisfaction from other people’s troubles
• Ephemeral: Only lasting for a short period of time
• Audace: Bold and highly spirited, often used as musical direction
• Gobbledygook: Full of words and nonsense
• Guano: Bat or seabird poop, feces used as fertilizer
• Codswallop: British word for nonsense, something untrue or stupid
• Thingamajig or Thingumbob: a thing, word for something when you’re unsure of the actual word

According to the Oxford Dictionary, there are over 60,000 English words to discover and way more that have yet to be defined. For many of us, even native speakers, most of these are out of our everyday lexicon. One way to discover new words is through word games like Wordle or Scrabble . These games often present challenging and less common words that are more difficult to guess, and they may also carry higher point values precisely because they fall outside of our everyday vocabulary.

For instance, let's consider the wordle answer "TRITE" as an example. It is an adjective used to describe or express that something is unoriginal, dull, or overused. When people began asking, "What does trite mean?" it caused a sensation on the internet.

So, while it may be tempting to believe that we already know all the words we need, actively learning and discovering new words can greatly enhance our communication skills, cognitive abilities, our Wordle scores, and overall appreciation for language.

Complete Word List of Unusual English Words

Though you might not use the following obscure and often weird words in your daily conversations, it's worth learning them- even just to brag about how many English words you know.

Have you ever heard of any of these rare English words? They're not used very often. Still, that's what makes them even more strange and beautiful.

• Anachronism ( noun ): Something that is out of place or time; an error in chronology.
• Ineffable (adjective): Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words; indescribable.
• Sempiterna (adjective): Eternal or everlasting; lasting forever.
• Defenestration (noun): The act of throwing someone or something out of a window.
• Susurrus (noun): A whispering or rustling sound; a murmur or whispering noise.
• Draconian (adjective): Excessively harsh or severe; extremely strict or rigid.
• Numinous (adjective): Having a strong spiritual or religious quality; mysterious or awe-inspiring.
• Piety (noun): Devotion to religious duties and practices; a deep respect or reverence for religion.
• Querulous (adjective): Complaining or whining in a petulant or unjustified manner; irritable or grumbling.
• Munificent (adjective): Extremely generous or lavish; characterized by great generosity or giving.
• Clamant (adjective): Urgent or insistent; demanding attention or action.
• Acnestis (noun): A part of the body that cannot be easily scratched, such as the middle of the back.

Want to discover more? Here are some more examples of rare English words. Flip the flashcards for each definition.

What does cordial mean?

Cordial is an adjective that means friendly and warm. In British English, cordial is a sweet, fruit-flavored drink usually added to give flavor to water.

What does rizzar mean?

Rizzar is a Scottish word; it refers to the verb of drying or curing in the sun, usually fish.

What does primo mean?

Primo is a borrowed word from Italian, where it means first. In English slang, it describes something high quality, high-class, or important. In Spanish, primo is a male cousin, and prima is a female cousin.

What's the most obscure English word? Keep reading.

• Epoxy (noun): Epoxy is a strong adhesive and coating material made from resin
• Callipygian (noun) - Callipygian means having shapely buttocks or being characterized by well-shaped buttocks.
• Scintillating (adjective): Sparkling or shining brightly; brilliantly and excitingly clever or skillful.
• Quixotic (adjective): Unrealistic and impractical, marked by romantic notions or an idealistic, chivalrous, or rashly impulsive outlook.
• Elysian (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of heaven or paradise; blissful, delightful, or sublime.
• Lollygag ( verb ): To spend time aimlessly, to idle or dawdle; to waste time in a lazy manner.
• Petrichor (noun): A pleasant, earthy smell that typically accompanies the first rain after a long dry spell.
• Flibbertigibbet (noun): A frivolous, flighty, or excessively talkative person who lacks seriousness or focus.
• Widdershins ( adverb ): In a direction contrary to the sun's course, counterclockwise; in a direction contrary to normal or conventional.
• Logomachy (noun): A dispute or argument about words or language, especially one that is prolonged or contentious.

Do you know the phrase that a picture can have multiple meanings? Well, so words can, too; they’re called homonyms. Here are some examples.

• (noun) - A sweet spread made from fruit.
• (noun) - A situation of congestion or blockage.
• (verb) - To press or squeeze tightly.
• (noun) - A type of music.
• (noun) - The sound a dog makes.
• (noun) - The outer covering of a tree.
• (verb) - To shout or speak loudly.
• (noun) - deer noise.
• (noun) - A type of fish.
• (noun) - A type of flatworm.
• (noun) - The fins of a whale's tail.
• (noun) - A stroke of luck.
• (noun) - A person who is equal to another in social status, age, or ability. (Verb) - To look intently or with difficulty at something.
• (noun) - A member of the nobility.
• (verb) - To come into view, especially gradually or partially.

As language develops, so do words; the study of this is called etymology. Here are some obsolete English words that aren't used anymore.

• Philistine (adjective and noun): Originally referred to members of non-Semitic people inhabiting ancient Philistia in Palestine. Now philistine can describe someone considered ignorant, uncultured, or lacking in artistic or intellectual appreciation.
• Doodlesack (noun): An Old English term for a bagpipe.
• Bedward or bedwards (verb): Indicates movement or direction towards bed or bedtime.
• Fribble (verb): Meant to waste time and dawdle, not focusing on important things
• Wench (noun): Wench refers to a young woman or girl. It is now considered derogatory and is not commonly used.
• Grumpish (adjective): Grumpish describes someone who is in a bad mood, easily irritated, or likes to complain.
• Gallimaufry (noun): A confused mixture or medley of things, often used to describe a jumble
• Brabble - (noun): An altercation or argument, typically very loud
• Sooterkin (noun): Originally used to refer to a deformed or malformed fetus. Later it became a term of endearment for a loved one.
• Overmorrow (noun): An archaic word that means the day after tomorrow, so two days ahead.

Let's explore some unusual words, linguistically different in the US and UK.

• Gobby and Gabby (adjective): Talkative or loquacious, often in a chatty or informal way.
• Aesthete and esthete (noun): A person who has a deep appreciation of art or beauty.
• Agalloch, Agarwood, and Eaglewood (noun): A fragrant wood that is burned as incense or used in perfumes.
• Zucchini and courgette (noun): A long, green summer squash that is typically eaten cooked.
• Aubergine and eggplant (noun): A dark purple or black vegetable that is commonly used in cooking.
• Truck and lorry (noun): A large motor vehicle used for transporting goods or materials.
• Wacky and bonkers (adjective): Amusingly eccentric or unconventional; zany or offbeat.
• Gobbledygook and gibberish (noun): Speech or writing that is unintelligible or nonsensical.

Rare and unusual words can be used everywhere and anywhere, though we wouldn’t suggest peppering you’re essays or texts with lots of them; some every now and then is great. So, go forth and use these unusual words (sparingly.)

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400+ Words That Start With X (Ultimate List)

Words that start with X are rare but fascinating. From short words you can use in daily conversations to scientific terms, X gives us some of the most intriguing vocabulary across multiple languages.

Below, you’ll find 400+ unique words categorized and defined for your easy reference. Ready to explore?

Short Words That Start With X

Table of Contents

These are some of the shortest words starting with X. They’re great for everyday use and perfect for word games.

• Xis – Plural of xi, a Greek letter.
• Xyl – A combining form related to wood.
• Xox – Hugs and kisses.
• Xps – A file format for documents.
• Xed – Crossed out.
• Xen – Short for xenon, a chemical element.
• Xer – Slang for xerox.
• Xat – A chat service.
• Xim – A rare short form for names beginning with ‘X.’
• Xuc – A style of traditional dance from El Salvador.
• Xul – A Mesopotamian word for evil or chaos.
• Xiz – An abbreviation for excitement.

Long Words That Start With X

These words are long, challenging to pronounce, but excellent for expanding your vocabulary.

• Xylophonist – A person who plays the xylophone.
• Xenotransplantation – Transplanting living cells from one species to another.
• Xanthophylls – Yellow pigments in plants.
• Xerarch – Referring to dry habitats.
• Xenodiagnosis – Diagnosing a disease using a live animal.
• Xanthocyanopsy – A form of color blindness.
• Xenogeny – The origin of something foreign.
• Xylographical – Related to the art of wood engraving.
• Xenotransplant – An organ transplant between species.
• Xerophilous – Plants or organisms adapted to very dry environments.
• Xenopolist – A trader who deals in foreign goods.
• Xenoglossophobia – Fear of foreign languages.

Unique Words That Begin With X

These rare words that begin with X can make your writing or conversation stand out.

• Xiphoid – Shaped like a sword.
• Xenogeneic – Derived from a different species.
• Xenial – Referring to hospitality between guest and host.
• Xiphosura – A genus of horseshoe crabs.
• Xenurine – Pertaining to a type of armadillo.
• Xenotropic – Describing a virus that grows in cells other than its host species.
• Xenization – Living or traveling as a stranger.
• Xerochilia – Abnormally dry lips.
• Xanthein – A yellow pigment found in plants.
• Xenotime – A rare earth phosphate mineral.
• Xylozoic – Living or thriving in wood.
• Xerocopy – A dry copy, like a photocopy.
• Xenodna – Relating to the study or application of foreign genetic material.

Positive Words That Start With X

If you’re looking to add a little positivity, these words starting with X can help brighten up your vocabulary.

• X-Element – A noteworthy or extraordinary ability or talent.
• Xenodochial – Friendly or hospitable to strangers.
• Xenophilia – An attraction to foreign people or things.
• Xylophonic – Producing pleasant, musical sounds.
• Xenagogue – A guide or leader for foreigners.
• Xylophilous – Fond of or living in wood.
• Xenial – Relating to good relations between guest and host.
• Xylanthropy – The love of forests and wooded areas.
• Xenophilous – Loving or being attracted to foreign people or cultures.
• Xenodocheionology – The love or study of inns and hotels.
• Xyloecology – The study of organisms that live in wood.

Spanish Words That Start With X

Spanish also has a rich selection of words that start with X, which can expand your language skills.

• Xilófono – Xylophone.
• Xerófilo – Describing plants that grow in dry conditions.
• Xenón – Xenon, a chemical element.
• Xochimilco – A neighborhood in Mexico known for its canals.
• Xilitol – Xylitol, a sweetener.
• Xerografía – Xerography, or photocopying.
• Xilografía – Wood engraving.
• Xeroquímico – Relating to dry chemicals.
• Xantoma – A skin condition causing yellowish patches.
• Xenofobia – Fear or hatred of foreigners.
• Xocolatl – Ancient word for chocolate.
• Xotzil – A language spoken by the Mayan people.

German Words That Start With X

German also offers a unique collection of words starting with X.

• Xylofon – Xylophonist.
• Xenon – The chemical element.
• Xeroxen – Referring to photocopying.
• Xanthelasma – A condition where fatty deposits form on the skin.
• Xylit – Xylitol, a sugar alcohol.
• Xenophobie – Xenophobia.
• Xenogamie – Cross-pollination.
• Xenokrat – A ruler or leader who is foreign-born.
• Xenokratie – Governance by foreigners.
• Xenolith – A piece of rock trapped inside another rock.
• Xylogenie – The study of the origin of wood.

French Words That Start With X

Expand your French vocabulary with these X-starting words.

• Xénophobie – Fear or hatred of foreigners.
• Xérès – Sherry, a type of fortified wine.
• Xylophage – An organism that eats wood.
• Xérostomie – Dry mouth syndrome.
• Xénophile – A person who loves foreign cultures.
• Xénogène – Something that comes from outside.
• Xylographie – The art of wood engraving.
• Xyloïde – Something that is wood-like.
• Xanthome – Yellowish patches on the skin due to lipid deposits.
• Xiphoïde – Referring to something sword-like.
• Xéranthème — A type of everlasting flower.

Easy Words That Start With X for Kids

These simple words can be used in everyday conversation or writing.

• Xmas – Short for Christmas.
• Xerox – To photocopy something.
• X-ray – A form of radiation used for medical imaging.
• X-ray fish — A transparent fish found in the Amazon.
• Xenon – A chemical element.
• Xoxo – Hugs and kisses.
• Xplode – To explode (slang).
• Xpert – An expert, often in online communities (slang).
• Xonotic – An open-source first-person shooter game.
• X-men — Characters from comics and movies.
• X-box — Video game console.
• X-treme — Used in fun sports games and activities (slang).

Words That Start With X to Describe Someone

If you’re looking for ways to describe people with words that start with X, this is the section for you.

• Xenophobe – Someone who dislikes foreigners.
• Xenophile – Someone who loves foreign cultures.
• Xenogenetic – Related to foreign origins.
• Xenial – Friendly and hospitable.
• Xanthic – Having a yellowish color.
• Xylophagous – Someone who consumes or loves wood products.
• Xenarchic – Describes someone whose behavior is foreign or abnormal.
• Xerothermic – Describes someone adapted to hot and dry conditions.
• Xylogenic – Describes someone with a wooden or stiff demeanor.

Math Words That Start With X

Mathematics features several key terms starting with X. Here are some of the most useful ones.

• X-axis – The horizontal axis in a graph.
• X-intercept – The point where a line crosses the X-axis.
• X – A common variable in algebra.
• X-coordinate – The horizontal value in a pair of coordinates.
• X-factor – An unknown or variable factor.
• X-form – A mathematical formula involving the variable X.
• X-power – Refers to a term where X is raised to an exponent.
• X-polar – A term used in polar coordinate systems involving X.
• X-function – A function in mathematics that includes the variable X.
• X-mode – A type of mode in a mathematical function involving X.

Scientific Words That Start With X

The world of science is rich with terms starting with X, especially in biology, chemistry, and physics.

• Xenon – A chemical element with the symbol Xe.
• Xylitol – A sugar alcohol used as a sweetener.
• Xylem – The tissue in vascular plants that conducts water.
• Xanthan – A polysaccharide used as a food additive.
• Xyloglucan – A polysaccharide found in plant cell walls.
• Xenopus – A genus of aquatic frogs used in biological research.
• Xylose – A type of sugar extracted from wood.
• Xanthophyll – A yellow pigment found in plants.
• Xerophyte – A plant adapted to survive in dry environments.
• X-DNA — Referring to genetic material originating from an external source.
• Xlogbug — A fictional insect species that feeds on wood.

Three-Letter Words That Start With X

More three-letter words starting with X that you can use in games or everyday language.

Some of these words might be repeats.

• Xis – A Greek letter.
• Xdocs – A file format for sharing secure documents.
• Xop – Slang for “crossover.”
• Xen – Short for xenon.
• Xor – A logic gate in computing.
• Xox – Shortened form of hugs and kisses.

Four-Letter Words That Start With X

These four-letter words provide more options for word enthusiasts.

• Xray – Medical imaging using radiation.
• Xeno – Related to foreign things.
• Xist – Short for existentialist.
• Xyst – A covered portico or walk.
• Xeme – A type of bird.
• Xian – A term used for followers of Christ.
• Xyla – A feminine name derived from ‘wood.’

Five-Letter Words That Start With X

Five-letter words are versatile and great for expanding your vocabulary.

• Xenic – Pertaining to foreign species.
• Xerus – An African ground squirrel.
• Xylen – A volatile liquid hydrocarbon.
• Xipho – Referring to something sword-like.
• Xylog – A part of a wooden structure.
• Xoxes – Plural of hugs and kisses.

Medical Words That Start With X

Medical terminology is filled with fascinating words that start with X. These terms are commonly used in healthcare and medical research.

• Xerosis – Abnormal dryness of the skin or membranes.
• Xanthoma – Fatty deposits under the skin.
• Xerophthalmia – A condition of dry eyes.
• Xiphoid – A small bony projection in the lower sternum.
• Xeroderma pigmentosum – A condition causing extreme sensitivity to UV rays.
• Xenogenic – Relating to tissue from another species.
• Xengraft — The process of grafting organs or tissues from a foreign species.

Words That Start With X in Technology

Tech terms that start with X can be found in various fields, including computing and engineering.

• Xcode – An integrated development environment for macOS.
• X-Copy – A machine or device for making photocopies.
• Xmove — A term used in video games to describe sudden movement across levels.
• XML – Extensible Markup Language, used for data storage and transmission.
• Xmodem – A file transfer protocol.
• Xfinity – A brand offering internet and cable services.
• XOR – A digital logic gate that outputs true only when inputs differ.
• X-Console –Popular video game console.
• Xenohost — Cloud service company.

Mythology Words That Start With X

Mythology also offers us interesting X words, often from Greek or other ancient traditions.

• Xena – A fictional warrior princess.
• Xanthos – A horse from Greek mythology.
• Xipe Totec – An Aztec god of agriculture and renewal.
• Xochiquetzal – An Aztec goddess of beauty and love.

Musical Words That Start With X

Music-related terms that start with X add to the richness of this category.

• Xylochime – A musical instrument resembling a xylophone, but with chimes instead of bars.
• Xeroradiograph – A type of imaging used to capture soundwaves.
• Xystos – An ancient Greek training area for athletes, sometimes associated with musical performances.
• Xenon — Sometimes used in reference to sound/light shows.
• Xalam — A traditional West African lute.
• Xun — An ancient Chinese wind instrument.
• Xing — Chinese word used to describe the “style” or “manner” of a piece.
• Xenakis — Greek-French composer and architect
• Xiphism — a sharp, high-pitched sound
• Xhosa chants — traditional vocal music from the Xhosa people
• Xentophone – fictional, used to describe futuristic or alien instruments
• Xylograph — wood block used for printing music in ancient times
• Xenon lights — used in concerts for visual effects

Words that Start with X in the Bible

There are a few intriguing words that start with X in Biblical contexts.

Some refer to people, places, or things mentioned in the Bible or related historical documents.

• Xerxes — Persian king in the Book of Esther.
• Ximena — A variant of Simeon, which appears in some Biblical texts.
• Xanthus — A river mentioned in ancient texts.
• Xenodochium — Ancient term for an inn or guesthouse.
• Xylon — A Greek word meaning wood, often symbolizing the cross.
• Xoe — Name meaning “life” or “alive,” found in some Christian references.
• Xerach — Used to describe desert plant life in Biblical commentaries.
• Xavia — Meaning bright, sometimes linked to Biblical star references.
• Xene — Meaning stranger, used in some interpretations of hospitality.
• Xur — A name in ancient Hebrew genealogies.

Words that Start with X and End with X

Words that begin and end with X are rare and fascinating.

They often seem futuristic or technical, but here are a few you might encounter. Some of these words that start with X might be a repeat of something you’ve already seen in this guide.

In those cases, I include them here again because these are special words.

• Xerox — A popular photocopying brand.
• Xex — An old arcade game.
• Xylox — Rare wood or tree genus
• Xatrix — An old video game company.
• Xylitox — A fictional toxic wood substance.
• Xenonox — Fictional chemical compound.
• Xonix — An arcade puzzle game.
• Xynex — A tech-related name used in futuristic fiction.
• Xetix — A brand name for fitness products.
• Xertex — A rare mineral in sci-fi novels.

All of the following categories include slang, flexible, non-standard, or fictional words that start with X.

Words that Start With X for Babies

These baby-friendly X words are perfect for introducing your little one to unique and gentle sounds.

• Xilo — A soft, rhythmic sound like a lullaby.
• Xee — A playful sound babies make when they giggle (fictional word).
• Xano — A soothing hum or gentle coo (fictional word).
• Xum — A cuddly, comforting noise when hugging (fictional word).
• Xyxy — Soft toys shaped like animals, used for teething (fictional word).
• Xaffy — A baby’s gentle laugh or chuckle (fictional word).
• Xinky — A fun noise babies make while playing (fictional word).
• Xola — A soothing name for a baby blanket (fictional word).
• Xunu — Baby’s way of babbling or trying to speak (fictional word).
• Xaa — A soft exhale after a baby falls asleep (fictional word).

Words that Begin With X for Personality

These words describe different traits and behaviors in people, making them great for personality discussions.

• Xenonic — Always ready to embrace new ideas and experiences.
• Xantral — Calm under pressure, unshakeable (fictional word).
• Xivious — Highly ambitious and driven (fictional word).
• Xanic — Charismatic and naturally likable.
• Xenzor — Quietly observant, noticing the details others miss (fictional word).
• Xystic — Naturally inclined to lead and take charge.
• Xemith — Fearless and bold in pursuit of goals (fictional word).
• Xether — Always optimistic and light-hearted (fictional word).
• Xennial — Able to easily connect with people from different generations.
• Xublime — Radiating kindness and compassion (fictional word).

Words that Begin With X for Love

These words express affection, adoration, and the beauty of relationships.

• Xenna — A deep and undying love (fictional word).
• Xani — A secret word shared between lovers (fictional word).
• Xalia — A warm and comforting embrace that conveys love (fictional word).
• Xendora — A love that transcends time and space (fictional word).
• Xovi — Gentle affection shown through small actions (fictional word).
• Xuriel — A powerful romantic connection that feels destined (fictional word).
• Xafis — The feeling of safety and warmth in someone’s presence (fictional word).
• Xenari — A love built on trust and understanding (fictional word).
• Xyros — A fiery and passionate love (fictional word).
• Xelena — The spark of love at first sight (fictional word).
• Xhugs — A playful term representing affectionate hugs.

Agriculture Words that Start With X

Agriculture terms with an X touch are rare but useful for farming and nature discussions.

• Xerocrop — A type of crop that grows well in arid conditions (fictional word).
• Xylogen — A plant protein that enhances growth in dry climates (fictional word).
• Xanleaf — A plant with leaves that can store moisture (fictional word).
• Xyrofield — A field that thrives despite dry soil (fictional word).
• Xax farming — A method of sustainable farming using minimal water (fictional word).
• Xeniculture — Cultivating foreign or exotic plants (fictional word).
• Xydrosoil — Soil that retains water even in dry conditions (fictional word).
• Xeroseed — A seed adapted for dry environments (fictional word).
• Xeniweed — A weed that helps soil recover nutrients (fictional word).
• Xyronox — A chemical used to boost plant growth in harsh conditions (fictional word).

Words that Begin With X for Business

These business-related X words capture the innovative and cutting-edge nature of entrepreneurship.

• Xemplify — To model or set an example for success.
• Xcash — Digital currency used in cutting-edge markets (fictional word).
• Xvisionary — Someone who foresees future business trends (fictional word).
• Xcelerate — To quickly improve or grow a business.
• Xconomy — The economy of advanced, tech-driven markets (fictional word).
• Xgagement — A strategy for boosting employee or customer engagement (fictional word).
• Xbrand — A cutting-edge or disruptive business brand (fictional word).
• Xsolution — An innovative business solution to a complex problem (fictional word).
• Xventure — A high-risk, high-reward startup company (fictional word).
• Xpertise — Expert knowledge in a specialized business area.

Words that Start With X for Basketball

Basketball terms that start with X often focus on specific plays or actions in the game.

• X-pass — A quick and unexpected crosscourt pass (fictional word).
• X-screen — A defensive move that blocks two players at once (fictional word).
• X-shoot — A shooting technique involving quick flicks of the wrist (fictional word).
• X-foul — A tactical foul to prevent a fast break (fictional word).
• X-press — An intense full-court press defensive strategy (fictional word).
• X-drive — A hard drive to the basket with speed (fictional word).
• X-crossover — A particularly deceptive dribble move (fictional word).
• X-rebound — A quick and unexpected rebound (fictional word).
• X-court — A strategy that involves moving the ball quickly across the court (fictional word).
• Xovertime — A fast-paced overtime strategy to wear down opponents (fictional word).

Words that Begin With X for Baseball

Baseball terminology with an X touch adds a modern spin to the game.

• X-swing — A calculated swing to hit a curveball (fictional word).
• X-bunt — A perfectly executed bunt (fictional word).
• X-fastball — A pitch thrown with extreme velocity (fictional word).
• X-inning — An extra inning of play in close games (fictional word).
• X-glove — A special glove designed for catching fastballs (fictional word).
• X-catcher — A player known for catching hard pitches (fictional word).
• X-strike — A pitch that brushes the edge of the strike zone (fictional word).
• X-hit — A powerful hit that sends the ball far into the outfield (fictional word).
• X-score — A strategic run during a close game (fictional word).
• X-field — A defensive alignment to prevent extra-base hits (fictional word).

Words that Start With X for Behavior

Behavioral words with X describe actions, tendencies, or responses in different contexts.

• Xenative — Inclined to be welcoming to strangers.
• Xoble — Quiet but assertive in decision-making (fictional word).
• Xerous — Reserved or dry in emotional expression.
• Xontro — Openly confrontational and direct (fictional word).
• Xylantic — Enthusiastic about trying new experiences (fictional word).
• Xenoco — Naturally collaborative and enjoys teamwork (fictional word).
• Xermus — Behavior that is meticulously organized (fictional word).
• Xary — Playfully mischievous in social situations (fictional word).
• Xithic — Calm and level-headed in tense moments (fictional word).
• Xandrous — Fiercely independent and self-reliant (fictional word).

Words that Begin With X for Books

These X-words describe elements of books, writing, or reading that make storytelling richer.

• Xylitism — The art of writing with concise and impactful language (fictional word).
• X-book — An interactive, digital reading experience (fictional word).
• Xanthography — A style of writing with golden themes (fictional word).
• Xellor — A fantasy book about a distant world (fictional word).
• X-page — The first page in a novel that hooks the reader (fictional word).
• Xologism — A rare or forgotten literary term (fictional word).
• Xynote — A hidden message within the pages of a book (fictional word).
• X-fiction — A genre that blends science fiction with adventure (fictional word).
• Xanthosaga — A series of epic fantasy books (fictional word).
• Xerobook — A short novel that is easy to copy and distribute (fictional word).

Words that Start With X for the Beach

These X-words capture the essence of fun, relaxation, and adventure at the beach.

• Xwave — A large, rolling wave perfect for surfing (fictional word).
• Xsand — The softest sand near the shoreline (fictional word).
• Xshore — A hidden or secluded part of the beach (fictional word).
• Xumbrella — A stylish beach umbrella that provides extra UV protection (fictional word).
• Xshell — A rare and beautiful shell found on the beach (fictional word).
• Xswim — A leisurely swim in calm, warm waters (fictional word).
• Xtide — A tide that brings in cool, clear water (fictional word).
• Xvacation — The perfect beach getaway (fictional word).
• Xsurf — The act of catching a perfect wave on a surfboard (fictional word).
• Xshoreline — The part of the beach where the sand meets the sea (fictional word).

Words that Begin With X for Soccer (International Football)

These X-words focus on strategies, plays, and moments in the beautiful game of soccer.

• X-pass — A precise pass that cuts through the defense (fictional word).
• X-kick — A powerful free-kick taken from outside the box (fictional word).
• X-goal — A goal scored with extraordinary skill (fictional word).
• X-tackle — A well-timed defensive move to steal the ball (fictional word).
• X-formation — A strategic formation designed to control midfield (fictional word).
• X-keeper — A goalkeeper who makes extraordinary saves (fictional word).
• X-winger — A fast player who dominates the wings (fictional word).
• X-clearance — A decisive clearance that prevents a goal (fictional word).
• X-header — A header that results in a crucial goal (fictional word).
• X-foul — A tactical foul to stop an opponent’s counterattack (fictional word).

Japanese Words that Begin with X

Although the Japanese language does not commonly use the letter X, these fictional X-words add some flair to modern Japanese terms.

• Xonara — A futuristic way of saying goodbye (fictional word).
• Xento — A temple of advanced technology (fictional word).
• Xasumi — Rest or a short break from work (fictional word).
• Xokai — A quiet, peaceful ocean at dawn (fictional word).
• Xorii — A festival celebrating light and technology (fictional word).
• Xanpaku — A mysterious and wise traveler (fictional word).
• Xugai — A robotic assistant in daily life (fictional word).
• Xori — A rare and beautiful type of bird (fictional word).
• Xumaki — A powerful and ancient wind (fictional word).
• Xyuna — A hidden and secret mountain village (fictional word).

Words that Start with X for Economics

Economics-related X-words explore financial systems and market trends.

• X-bond — A type of high-risk, high-reward financial bond (fictional word).
• X-inflation — A sharp increase in prices in specific markets (fictional word).
• X-capital — Capital invested in emerging industries (fictional word).
• X-dividend — A dividend that exceeds typical market returns (fictional word).
• X-market — A futuristic market for digital goods (fictional word).
• X-rate — An exchange rate that fluctuates rapidly (fictional word).
• X-tax — A tax on extreme luxury goods (fictional word).
• X-credit — A credit system for new entrepreneurs (fictional word).
• X-wealth — Wealth derived from cutting-edge investments (fictional word).
• X-finance — The management of funds in advanced financial markets (fictional word).

Words that Start with X for Engineering

Engineering words that start with X involve modern technology and groundbreaking innovations.

• X-weld — A special welding technique for advanced materials (fictional word).
• X-design — A futuristic approach to architectural design (fictional word).
• X-bridge — A bridge made from eco-friendly materials (fictional word).
• X-torque — A unique way to measure rotational force (fictional word).
• X-circuit — An advanced electrical circuit used in AI systems (fictional word).
• X-fiber — A lightweight, ultra-strong material for construction (fictional word).
• X-grid — A futuristic power grid design (fictional word).
• X-former — An advanced transformer for managing high voltage (fictional word).
• X-fuel — A clean energy fuel source derived from algae (fictional word).
• X-machine — A robot designed for precision engineering tasks (fictional word).

Words that Start with X for Emotions

Emotions can be complex, and these X-words explore a wide range of feelings.

• Xentrify — To feel suddenly energized or excited (fictional word).
• Xylaris — A quiet sense of peace and contentment (fictional word).
• Xenorin — A deep sense of longing for something unfamiliar (fictional word).
• Xquora — The feeling of being at one with nature (fictional word).
• Xaldus — A sharp pang of nostalgia (fictional word).
• Xenolight — The rush of excitement before an adventure (fictional word).
• Xyver — A state of heightened focus or determination (fictional word).
• Xendosa — A gentle, calming emotion that soothes anxiety (fictional word).
• Xerious — A mix of curiosity and fear when facing the unknown (fictional word).
• Xundra — The feeling of being overwhelmed by beauty (fictional word).

Words that Start with X for Camping

Camping brings you closer to nature, and these X-words capture the essence of outdoor adventure.

• Xylose — A natural sugar derived from wood or plant material.
• X-tent — A highly durable, wind-resistant tent for extreme conditions (fictional word).
• X-lantern — A solar-powered lantern that never runs out of light (fictional word).
• X-fire — A special method for starting a fire in wet conditions (fictional word).
• X-sleep — A sleeping bag designed for ultra-comfort in cold weather (fictional word).
• X-path — A hidden trail only known by seasoned hikers (fictional word).
• X-hike — An adventurous hike through challenging terrain (fictional word).
• X-grill — A compact, foldable grill for outdoor cooking (fictional word).
• X-pack — A backpack with advanced storage technology (fictional word).
• X-chill — A portable cooler that keeps food cold for days (fictional word).
• X-compass — A high-tech compass with GPS and weather tracking (fictional word).

Words that Start with X for Animals

Animal-related X-words are rare, but these fictional creations help describe unique species and behaviors.

• Xyloxo — A large, nocturnal mammal that feeds on wood (fictional word).
• Xentaur — A mythical half-horse, half-human creature (fictional word).
• Xiphi — A rare species of swordfish found in deep waters (fictional word).
• Xelphi — A bird known for its vibrant, metallic feathers (fictional word).
• Xulox — A small, agile predator that thrives in forests (fictional word).
• Xerlynx — A wild cat that roams desert regions (fictional word).
• Xarbit — A small rodent that burrows underground (fictional word).
• Xytera — A winged reptile from ancient times (fictional word).
• Xenpanda — A crossbreed between a panda and a raccoon (fictional word).
• Xerbat — A bat species known for its large wingspan (fictional word).

Words that Start with X for Cars

The automotive industry is full of innovation, and these X-words give a futuristic edge to car-related terms.

• X-drive — A cutting-edge all-wheel-drive system for performance cars (fictional word).
• X-brake — A high-performance braking system designed for sports cars (fictional word).
• X-speed — A turbocharged system that enhances speed and acceleration (fictional word).
• X-torque — A technology that maximizes engine power (fictional word).
• X-lux — A luxury car model with state-of-the-art features (fictional word).
• X-engine — A revolutionary engine that runs on clean energy (fictional word).
• X-trail — A car designed for off-road adventures (fictional word).
• X-cab — A self-driving taxi service (fictional word).
• X-volt — An electric vehicle with ultra-fast charging capabilities (fictional word).
• X-Power — Fictional super fuel for vehicles of the future.

Words that Start With X for Cooking

Cooking gets a futuristic twist with these culinary X-words, adding innovation to the kitchen.

• X-slice — A unique slicing technique that maximizes flavor release (fictional word).
• X-spice — A rare and powerful spice that enhances any dish (fictional word).
• X-broil — A grilling method that sears food at extremely high temperatures (fictional word).
• X-sauté — A special sautéing method that locks in nutrients (fictional word).
• X-heat — A precise heat setting for cooking food evenly (fictional word).
• X-dish — A dish that blends exotic flavors from around the world (fictional word).
• X-chop — A knife skill used to cut ingredients into perfect cubes (fictional word).
• X-puree — A technique to make ultra-smooth, flavorful purees (fictional word).
• X-glaze — A thick glaze used to coat meats and vegetables (fictional word).
• X-bake — A baking method that creates a perfectly crispy crust (fictional word).

Arabic Words that Start With X

While Arabic doesn’t traditionally use the letter X, these fictional words provide a unique twist on cultural themes.

• Xarib — A mythical desert creature with powers over sand (fictional word).
• Xalif — A wise and respected leader of an ancient tribe (fictional word).
• Xina — A symbol of peace and unity in ancient texts (fictional word).
• Xubara — A deep oasis hidden in the desert (fictional word).
• Xafar — The wind that guides travelers through the desert (fictional word).
• Xatir — A rare plant that blooms only after a desert rain (fictional word).
• Xurah — A spiritual journey taken by wise elders (fictional word).
• Xinjar — A ceremonial dagger passed down through generations (fictional word).
• Xomra — A traditional feast held to celebrate new beginnings (fictional word).
• Xalah — A place of reflection and meditation in ancient cultures (fictional word).

Words that Start with X for Geography

These geography-related X-words explore unique places, natural formations, and phenomena.

• X-plateau — A high, flat region located in mountainous areas (fictional word).
• X-range — A chain of mountains that stretch across multiple countries (fictional word).
• X-gorge — A deep, narrow canyon carved by a river (fictional word).
• X-cliff — A steep and dangerous cliff near the ocean (fictional word).
• X-cove — A hidden cove with crystal-clear waters (fictional word).
• X-volcano — An ancient and dormant volcano with unique features (fictional word).
• X-rift — A deep crack in the Earth’s surface caused by tectonic movement (fictional word).
• X-arch — A natural rock formation shaped like an arch (fictional word).
• X-lake — A lake formed in the crater of an extinct volcano (fictional word).
• X-cape — A dramatic headland that juts into the sea (fictional word).

Jewish Words that Start with X

These fictional Jewish X-words capture elements of culture, tradition, and spirituality.

• Xitzvah — A significant coming-of-age ceremony (fictional word).
• Xemuna — Deep, unwavering faith in the face of challenges (fictional word).
• Xanukkah — A joyous celebration of light and miracles (fictional word).
• Xeder — A special meal shared during important holidays (fictional word).
• Xorah — A sacred text that guides daily life (fictional word).
• Xelohim — A name for the divine, symbolizing protection and love (fictional word).
• Xagal — A sacred space for reflection and prayer (fictional word).
• Xhofar — A mystical instrument used in ancient celebrations (fictional word).
• Xzion — A spiritual connection to the land of Israel (fictional word).
• Xshalom — A word used to bless others with peace and prosperity (fictional word).

Words that Start With X for Fashion

These fashion-related X-words cover styles, trends, and accessories, with a mix of real and fictional terms.

• X-stitch — A cross-stitch pattern used in embroidery (fictional word).
• X-luxe — A fashion trend focused on luxury and opulence (fictional word).
• X-fabric — A high-tech fabric that adapts to weather conditions (fictional word).
• X-lace — Delicate lace with intricate patterns used in formal wear (fictional word).
• X-heel — A unique type of shoe with an experimental heel design (fictional word).
• Xenial — Warm, welcoming clothing style meant to make wearers feel at home.
• X-fur — A synthetic, environmentally friendly fur used in fashion (fictional word).
• X-strap — An adjustable strap featured on high-end fashion bags (fictional word).
• X-Structure — A futuristic silhouette in clothing design (fictional word).
• X-scarf — A multifunctional scarf that can transform into other accessories (fictional word).

Words that Start With X for Fitness

Fitness and exercise get a boost from these X-words, including real and fictional terms related to health and strength.

• X-cardio — A high-intensity cardio workout designed to maximize fat burn (fictional word).
• X-burn — A strength training technique focused on burning extra calories (fictional word).
• X-fit — A specialized fitness program designed for extreme athletes (fictional word).
• X-squat — A variation of the squat exercise that targets multiple muscle groups (fictional word).
• X-jump — A plyometric exercise that involves explosive jumping movements (fictional word).
• X-press — A resistance exercise that focuses on upper body strength (fictional word).
• Xenobiotic — Refers to substances introduced into the body that can affect metabolism.
• X-train — A cross-training workout combining different types of exercises (fictional word).
• X-balance — A workout routine focused on improving balance and coordination (fictional word).

Words that Start With X for Art

Artistic expressions take a unique turn with these X-words, combining real and fictional terms.

• Xyloimprint — A method of printing designs using carved wooden blocks.
• X-paint — A new form of interactive, 3D painting (fictional word).
• X-sculpt — A sculpting technique using innovative materials (fictional word).
• Xenophotography — Photography capturing alien landscapes or foreign environments (fictional word).
• X-canvas — A high-tech canvas that responds to touch and movement (fictional word).
• X-aesthetic — A minimalist, experimental artistic style (fictional word).
• X-brush — A digital brush used in graphic design (fictional word).
• Xenocollage — A collage made from foreign or unusual materials (fictional word).
• X-pallete — A color palette that changes based on light exposure (fictional word).
• X-frame — A futuristic style of framing artwork using digital displays (fictional word).

Words That Start With X for Valentine’s Day

These made-up and fictional words starting with X bring a unique touch to Valentine’s Day, perfect for expressing love, affection, and all things romantic.

• Xlura — The feeling of butterflies in your stomach when you see someone special (fictional word).
• Xnove — A secret love note hidden in unexpected places for a loved one to find (fictional word).
• Xaflair — A romantic gesture that is both bold and playful (fictional word).
• Xevira — The warm feeling you get when someone you love says your name (fictional word).
• Xyntara — A sudden burst of affection for someone, often leading to spontaneous acts of love (fictional word).
• Xacora — A kiss that lingers, full of meaning and unspoken emotion (fictional word).
• Xylara — The soft glow you feel when you’re in the presence of someone you deeply love (fictional word).
• Xeliora — The sensation of love that grows stronger as time passes (fictional word).
• Xotica — A rare and exotic flower given as a symbol of love and admiration (fictional word).
• Xenvara — A shared moment of laughter that strengthens a romantic bond (fictional word).
• Xypria — The lighthearted playfulness shared between lovers on a special day (fictional word).
• Xalenta — The gentle touch of a hand that conveys deep affection without words (fictional word).
• Xanbelle — A Valentine’s Day gift that perfectly captures the essence of your love (fictional word).
• Xiqua — A sweet, whispered secret exchanged between lovers (fictional word).
• Xanora — A moment of stillness when time feels like it stops, shared with someone you adore (fictional word).

For words that start with X with visuals, check out this simple but popular video:

Final Thoughts

I have an entire category about words on this site that you will probably love.

Start with the blog posts below and explore until your language-loving heart is full of luscious lexicon.

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Remove These 7 Things To Make Your Writing Breathtaking

The incredible impact of deleting these 7 when i edit.

My growth accelerated when I created 14 templates and cheat sheets. These speeded up my writing. And made it easy to keep the quality high. Get access to them here.

The easiest way to power up your writing is subtraction.

We have this tendency to add more in. Add a story. Use a metaphor. Give an extra solution. We think these additions enhance our writing. But as Steve Jobs proved when you get rid of what weakens. Your strength doubles in power.

Remove these 7 things to boost your writing.

1. Stop being uncertain

Being soft and gentle in personal conversations works well.

But in your writing it’s weak. Be assertive and direct. Be certain. Readers will find your confidence irresistible. It’s a mistake to try and come alongside readers with soft language. Words like probably and maybe should be deleted. Could , might and I think need to go too.

Your reader is not delicate like a prized ming vase. They are robust and want inspiring. Do this with direct language.

Here’s what I mean:

Delicate: Maybe you could include mindfulness practices into your day

Direct: Use these mindfulness practices daily

Delicate: I think this new productivity app might help you save time

Direct: This new productivity app will save you time

Delicate: Perhaps you could include more green vegetables in your diet

Direct: Add more vegetables to your diet

Delete uncertainty and boldly declare what you think.

2. Complexity

Have you come across the anti-simple campaign yet?

A critical reader told me to stop writing simply.

You’ll end up with uneducated and lazy readers…writing about serious ideas can’t be written like a first grader.

I’ve written a full response here. Rammed with scientific research. But in summary, the evidence proves simpler writing:

is more persuasive

is more pleasant to read

builds reader’s confidence

makes a reader feel included

I love Hemingway. It offers me simpler alternatives. I’m shocked how I complicate my sentences. When there is an easier option, with the same meaning! This is what I mean:

Utilize -> Use

Inquire -> Ask

Facilitate -> Help

Terminate -> End

Consume -> Eat/Read

Implement -> Carry out

If you care about your readers. Remove complexity.

3. Quit being passive

Being passive robs your writing of energy.

Passive is when your subject receives the action of the sentence.

The ball was thrown by Jenny

The active sentence puts the doer first:

Jenny threw the ball

Research has shown passive writing is

harder to read

harder to remember

harder to understand

The active voice is quicker to read and more engaging. Readers love it.

Check out these examples:

P: The report was written by the marketing team

A: The marketing team wrote the report

P: Mistakes were made during the project

A: We made mistakes during the project

P: The decision will be made by the board

A: The board will make the decision

Notice how dynamic the active feels compared to the sluggish passive voice. I struggle to spot the passive voice. So I use Hemingway in my editing process.

Stop being passive and you’ll add vitality

4. Clear the clutter

When sentences are clear, the pleasure part of the brain lights up.

Cluttered writing demands more brain power. But short sentences place a lighter load on the brain. They make reading easier and faster. We love to conserve energy. So clutter will lose you readers. They prefer concise writing. Because this makes their brain smile. And gets the dopamine flowing.

So can you use fewer words to say the same thing? We use longer sentences when speaking to give a listener time to process our words. But this doesn’t work in writing. Make your sentences precise. Look for words you can remove, without affecting the meaning. This’ll make your writing smoother.

Here’s some examples:

Clutter : The final outcome of the experiment was successful

Clear: The outcome of the experiment was successful

Clutter: He personally greeted each and every guest at the event

Clear: He greeted every guest at the event

Clutter: She completely eliminated all unnecessary expenses

Clear: She eliminated unnecessary expenses

Don’t worry about this when you’re writing your first draft. Get the words down. But when you edit, clear the clutter.

Easy to read gets read.

5. End the cliches

People don’t read cliches.

The brain saves energy by ignoring what’s familiar. This is why you can drive a familiar journey. But have no memory of traveling the route. Your brain is lazy and loves to switch to autopilot. The moment your reader thinks they know the next few words. Their brain switches off.

Cliches are an attention killer.

Replace with the literal meaning. This will make your writing vibrant and fresh.

Cliché: The ball is in your court

Literal: The decision is yours.

Cliché: Caught between a rock and a hard place

Literal: Facing a difficult decision

Cliché: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Literal: It’s wise to wait for results before celebrating

Cliche: A diamond in the rough

Literal: A rare find with potential

I bet you didn’t even read each cliche. You skimmed it. But the literal phrases caught your attention. Your niche has its buzzwords and overdone phrases. Learn to spot these if you want attention on your content.

Replace them to keep the brain engaged.

6. Kill your adverbs

You need strong, descriptive language to captivate readers.

Adverbs weaken your writing but get slipped in everywhere. An adverb describes a verb or adjective. Mostly they end in -ly. Adverbs are a problem because they do the opposite of what you intend.

For example take very , really , or extremely. They are meant to strengthen the sentence. But weaken it instead. An “extremely important meeting” doesn’t sound more significant than an “important” one. A person described as “really brilliant” would sound better as “brilliant.”

Adverbs are so overused readers skirt past them.

When you find yourself adding an adverb. Remove it and replace the word you’re modifying. Instead of very calm , choose serene , tranquil , or hushed .

Here’s some examples of this technique:

Weak: She was very happy

Strong: She was ecstatic

Weak: The cake tasted really good

Strong: The cake tasted delicious

Weak: He was really tired

Strong: He was exhausted

Weak: The sunset was very beautiful

Strong: The sunset was stunning

But what about when you don’t have time or head space to think of a new word? Easy solution. Delete the adverb. The sentence will be stronger without it.

7. Poor design

My heart sinks when I see a wall of text.

Why would you build a wall your reader has to climb over? Long paragraphs force your readers to huff and puff through your words. They are exhausted by it. Use white space to enhance your words:

bullet points

sub-headings

short paragraphs

My favorite trick is to start and end each section with a single powerful sentence. Scan back through this article for some examples.

Remove these 7 things to make your writing crisper. And watch your reader fall in love with your writing.

I send out weekly writing tips for free. Sign up here:

I offer live workshops, course discounts and access to my how-to guides. Sign up as a paid subscriber to get all these benefits:

Ready for more?

Wholesome letter writing sequel Kind Words 2 will be delivered next month

Push the envelope

Five years ago, a small team of three people released a really rather special game out into the world, all about anonymously writing and receiving letters, which had also been written by other real people, and offering some words of encouragement to those who need it. This was Kind Words, a fitting name for a game that did so much to lift spirits and create a safe space for anyone going through a hard time.

In the time since Kind Words released five years ago, developer Popcannibal has been working on a sequel. It is called Kind Words 2, and unlike the original game where you were confined to a bedroom, in the sequel, there's a world outside to explore. Those wonderful letters still remain, though.

As for when you can explore that wholesome outside world for yourself? Well, there is not too much longer to wait. Kind Words 2 is coming to Steam next month, on 7th October. You can check out its release date trailer below.

Writing on Steam , Popcannibal co-founder Ziba Scott said Kind Words has been "one of the biggest changes" in their lives over the past five years.

"It's been an amazing trip for Luigi and I to learn how to care for this community we started. And what a joy it has been that the community has cared for us in return," Ziba wrote in a post accompanying Kind Words 2's release date announcement.

"I could go on all sentimental like for a while, but I've got to go fix bugs now to make everything ready for the launch day."

For more on Kind Words, last year Bertie, Eurogamer alum Johnny Chiodini and I all sat down to talk about the video games that have helped us with our mental health . Kind Words was one of these games.

Stay safe out there all, I hope you are doing ok.

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• "Trolls need kind words the most"

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Gary Totten Has the 'Write' Stuff to Step Up as New Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs

The former English department chair and American lit buff will support faculty and help develop their teaching and research.

Gary Totten is the new vice provost for the Office of Faculty Affairs. An English professor and former chair of UNLV's English department, he is also the editor-in-chief of the journal,  MELUS: Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States.  (Becca Schwartz/UNLV)

• September 9, 2024
• By Jennifer Hurtado

As mentors, educators, and scholars, faculty members are at the heart of UNLV’s mission to inspire and prepare students for a successful and impactful future. It’s an immense responsibility that requires the strong support of leadership.

Gary Totten, the new vice provost for the Office of Faculty Affairs , is on a mission to help faculty thrive in teaching, research, and service while creating career development and advancement opportunities. He intends to make an immediate impact using a solution-based approach that will resonate with faculty members across the campus.

Totten has built his career on teaching, researching, and writing about American literature from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as cultural theory and material culture. Before moving into the central administration, he served as the chair of the English department . Totten's experiences have given him a deep understanding of faculty needs and priorities. He is skilled in appreciating diverse perspectives, effectively assessing complex situations, and navigating the intricate policies and procedures of the university.

Tell us about yourself.

I have been at UNLV since 2016. My bachelor's and master’s degrees are from Brigham Young University, and my Ph.D. in English is from Ball State University.

I was a department chair of English at North Dakota State University and worked there for 12 years. My first job out of grad school was as an English professor at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. I got that job in 1999, and my main areas of interest are American literature, specifically late 19th and 20th century American literature, travel writing, and multi-ethnic U.S. literature. I've always been interested in literature.

What draws you to this particular period and those topics?

I started with an undergraduate degree in humanities at BYU. It was a pretty broad liberal arts degree. There were some literature classes, but also music history, philosophy, some history classes, theater, art, and things like that. I was interested in the broad humanities and arts.

When I got my master's degree and Ph.D., it was clear I needed to focus some more because I wanted to be a professor. So, I decided to go with literature and English because I liked the interdisciplinary nature of my undergraduate humanities degree, and English can be very interdisciplinary. The kinds of approaches I take to literature are fairly interdisciplinary. I'm interested in history and cultural issues. I took a cultural studies approach in my research, and I found that I could do those kinds of things in a literature program. 

As for my interest in American literature, I grew up in Canada, so I'm a Canadian by birth, and we did not read much American literature in high school. I took a year of community college in Canada before I moved to the United States. When I got to the States and arrived at BYU in particular, I was drawn to the American literature courses I was taking. I was interested in American literature's cultural and intellectual history from early on, such as Indigenous literature. I remember going to the BYU library to read all of the American literature I thought I missed out on.

What inspired you to take on the role of vice provost for Faculty Affairs?

I would say that it's due to my experience as a department chair. What I mean by that is department chairs do a lot of different things, but one of the things that I enjoyed most was being able to find ways to support faculty teaching and research and helping folks develop their careers in the way they want. That's an aspect of this job that appeals to me the most. Working on a broader university-wide scale and considering ways to support faculty in their roles as both educators and researchers is very appealing and an important part of the role. 

The initiatives we could develop as an office and share with the university would help faculty to be able to achieve their goals. The job includes many other aspects, too, such as conflict of interest and the promotion and tenure process. I feel like even some of those processes, especially something like promotion and tenure, are very much connected to faculty development. So, how can we make this process better for people and help them with their long-term goals? Enhancing how these processes operate within the university is one of the aspects that draws me to the job.

How do your experiences and background in academia influence your approach?

A lot of the scholarship produced in the humanities, at least in my field of English, focuses on interpretation — close reading of texts, analyzing them, and understanding their broader context. It also involves being aware of existing research: What's already been published about these texts, cultural movements, or bodies of work by particular groups of writers?

The question then becomes, "What can I contribute to push this field forward?" To me, that has always felt like a really interesting conversation. I think most people in academia can probably say something similar about their disciplines. Sciences might work differently, but as a literature professor, I'm constantly entering a conversation that started long before I got there. I need to understand its parameters and then think about my unique contribution. How can my research, reading, and writing help promote and advance my field?

This process of entering conversations feels collaborative, even though a lot of research in English can be a solo activity. The collaboration comes from engaging in a larger, ongoing dialogue. As a department chair, I often found myself reading and assessing situations, trying to understand different points of view.

This is similar to what reading does for all of us — it helps us inhabit different worldviews and perspectives and think about where our perspectives overlap with others. There will certainly be conflicts, but finding ways to arrive at a consensus is important. Differing viewpoints make for a stronger outcome than a single, solitary perspective. Whether as a department chair or a vice provost, there's a lot of problem-solving involved, and I think the approaches I've learned as a scholar of literature and culture also work well in these administrative roles.

What are your long-term goals for faculty success at UNLV?

In the first few weeks of the job, I'm getting a feel for the role, understanding its parameters, and exploring what's possible. I'm learning which offices and people around campus I should connect with for collaboration. One of my goals is to make the promotion and tenure process as clear and supportive as possible. While I’m not suggesting it’s currently unclear, I believe there are productive and helpful ways to assist faculty through it. I’d also like to explore how university leaders — such as chairs and deans — can be equipped with the tools they need to support their faculty members in these processes.

On a smaller scale, something that has greatly benefited me throughout my career is being involved in writing groups. These groups, whether formal or informal, provide dedicated time and accountability among peers. In the field of English, and other fields, writing is a significant part of our work, and having time dedicated to writing and thinking is crucial. I'd like to establish one or more writing groups on campus that offer this kind of support.

Additionally, the university subscribes to organizations that provide similar writing boot camps and resources, and I see my role as making faculty aware of these resources and promoting them. One challenge is that people often aren’t aware of what’s available, so I want to increase visibility and accessibility for these support options.

I'm also eager to work on initiatives that support diverse faculty and staff. My focus will be on recruiting, retaining, and promoting diverse and historically marginalized faculty, including women. It’s important to ensure they feel supported and valued and have the opportunity to succeed in their careers. This support starts with the job search process — helping departments create inclusive and diverse candidate pools. Supporting leaders and faculty in these efforts is a key aspect of faculty success that I want to prioritize.

Would you say it is the biggest misconception about your role?

Regarding my job, I haven’t been in the office long enough to fully understand how it's perceived. However, I do believe that people around campus are aware that the office holds monthly meetings throughout the year for department chairs to meet and discuss ways to be successful, specifically with the Office of Faculty Affairs and with me. I hope the perception is that our office exists to help faculty succeed.

One possible misconception might be that our office is primarily focused on procedural matters, such as managing conflict of interest disclosure and other administrative tasks, which may not seem directly connected to faculty success. While we do handle those responsibilities, I want to emphasize that our main goal is faculty success. If there is any misconception about that, I hope to address and overcome it.

Tell me about an 'aha' moment in your career, a time when your perspective shifted.

At one point during my undergraduate studies, I was a psychology major, and we were each assigned a baby chick in what was essentially a research methods class. Our task was to teach our chick to perform certain behaviors, like pecking a dot on the side of its box or running around in circles. It was surprisingly easy to shape the chick’s behavior by offering rewards and taking them away — simply putting in food or removing it. I found this fascinating, but what disturbed me was the professor's suggestion that we should apply these methods to human behavior.

That was an 'aha' moment for me because I realized I fundamentally disagreed with that approach to influencing human behavior. Not long after, I changed my major from psychology, though I wouldn't say that class was the sole reason — it might have been part of it. More importantly, this experience helped me understand why I was drawn to literature. Literature captures the complexity of human behavior, depicting characters and situations in ways that go beyond simple reward and punishment.

What I appreciate about well-written literature is its portrayal of humans as complex beings, not easily influenced by straightforward methods. While I’m sure I would have eventually encountered more nuanced theories in psychology, that specific moment made me reflect on how differently literature approaches the representation of human experience, solidifying my interest in studying it.

What advice would you give to new faculty members who are just starting their careers?

I think mentors are really important for new faculty. I say this because I didn't have mentors when I started, and I often felt like I was reinventing the wheel and figuring things out on my own. This isn't a criticism of the departments I was in; there just wasn't a robust mentoring system in place. I managed, but it involved a lot of trial and error.

If your department or college doesn't have a formal mentoring program, I suggest being proactive in seeking out mentors. Look for people in your department you naturally gravitate toward. This might be due to your shared subject area, but it could also be because they have a solid understanding of how departments and universities operate and can offer guidance in that regard. It's valuable to have multiple mentors who can offer different types of support.

As a faculty member, you might have mentors in your specific subject area, but you should also connect with people who can help you navigate the promotion and tenure process. Ideally, your department chair will provide you with the unit bylaws — make sure to keep those handy so you're clear on the guidelines for promotion and tenure.

I also think it’s important to be aware of the collaborative opportunities within your discipline. Some fields are more collaborative than others, and certain disciplines can feel quite solitary. I encourage new faculty to make connections with their colleagues, as this network can be a great support system, especially during times when you have questions or feel isolated. It's helpful to have colleagues you can share your work with and get feedback from.

How can faculty members best utilize resources and programs offered by your office to advance their professional development?

I recognize that we are deluged with emails these days. It's easy to ignore them, and sometimes, to preserve your sanity, you have to. But, I encourage people to read the emails that come from our office because, hopefully, they will be helpful. Many of them will contain practical, nuts-and-bolts information, but I also aim to send emails that raise awareness of useful resources, training, events, and activities we're organizing to help faculty succeed. These might include details about institutional memberships we belong to or events that could be valuable to faculty on campus. 

One particularly helpful resource is our membership in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) . They offer many useful mentoring resources, but what I appreciate most is their "Monday Motivator," which is a weekly email you can sign up for. It’s designed to motivate you to find time to prioritize your research and writing, which is especially important for tenure-track faculty. There are also teaching resources for faculty whose roles focus more on instruction. Even if you forget you’ve signed up, every Monday, you'll receive a brief email that often contains something useful. So, I would encourage everyone to take a moment to read these kinds of emails before deleting them — there might be something beneficial in them.

Tell us about an object in your office and what it represents to you.

I have this Canadian flag magnet that I keep in my office. I used to have a small Canadian flag, but I don't have a place to put it now. I like to keep something Canadian around, so the magnet serves as a reminder of Canada for me. Although I haven't lived in Canada for over 30 years, I still have family there and go back to visit. I love Canada, and it’s nice to look at the magnet, or think about the flag or the Canada pin I used to have, and remember that I’m from there. I guess it’s just an identity thing.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I play piano, and I took piano lessons for 13 years. I'm not a concert pianist, but I took it very seriously for a long time when I was a younger person, and I still enjoy playing the piano a lot. It's a nice thing outside of work.

What was the last book you couldn't put down, a show you binge-watched, or a band you kept on replay?

So many books. Maybe I should say a TV show instead. I loved the series Succession on HBO. I was very pulled into that story. I think one of the reasons is that some of the themes of that show reminded me of the themes of survival of the fittest. That idea is prominent in late 19th and early 20th-century American literature. Even though the show is contemporary, it felt almost like I was reading or watching a long novel unfold that had themes very similar to the novels that I read and teach and write about.

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Book Review: Brathwaite flexes his writing chops and expands Black literary canon with debut ‘Rage’

This cover image released by Tiny Reparations shows “Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant...and Completely Over It” by Lester Fabian Brathwaite. (Tiny Reparations via AP)

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There was a class at my university called Black Arts, Black Power. Lester Fabian Brathwaite’s “Rage” would fit snugly right into that syllabus.

With an extensive writing portfolio already under his belt working for publications like “Out,” Brathwaite’s debut book is part memoir, part academic review of culture and society, part philosophical musings of a queer Black millennial man who was born in Guyana and grew up in New York. It fits comfortably alongside the works of other greats to whom it pays homage, like Huey P. Newton, James Baldwin and Nina Simone — the latter being apparent by the book’s full title: “Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant ... and Completely Over It.”

No doubt Brathwaite is a great writer, but he’s also a great thinker.

In a chapter largely focused on muscular dysmorphia, he makes a shockingly persuasive — if bracingly cavalier — argument for bodily autonomy that invokes trans rights, women’s rights, drug use and bodybuilding.

“Rage” is conceptually heavy and multilayered, but with casual syntax and regular use of pop icons and common people, places and things as touchstones. At the same time, there’s a touch of high-brow, with several literary references and famous turns of phrases thoughtfully employed to bring new light to old ideas — and sometimes turn an idea on its head.

With a teaspoon of empathy and an open mind, you’ll find that any differences between the author and the reader melt away because the heart of what Brathwaite is saying is universal.

That said, “Rage” is anything but demure. The Table of Contents is peppered with profanities and even a chapter titled “I Hate the Gays.” Readers will either be turned off here before ever buying the book, or tempted to know more about this self-described “hateful child who grew into an even more hateful adult” — said, like most reflections in the book, with a protective layer of comedy around a kernel of truth.

But being off-putting is part of Brathwaite’s shtick, one readers have not only allowed but praised time and again with arguably more upsetting works (looking at you, “Lolita”).

Still, the writing can admittedly be annoyingly abrasive, like with its overuse of the f-slur and other choices that I personally didn’t love. But in the end, Brathwaite really grew on me. He wholeheartedly owns these pieces of himself. He reclaims words and is ready to live wildly, make mistakes and then grow from them.

And the tender moments hit harder for it, whether Brathwaite is describing his mother’s burial on his 14th birthday or the fifth-grade teacher who took him to Boston for being her top student.

Is “Rage” a little thick? Yes, at times, for sure. But it’s more like academic-lite, broken up with comedic relief, romantic exploits and, as Brathwaite loves to say, debauchery. If you find the starting pace a bit slow, rest assured it ramps up — quickly.

AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews

Bolded text, crossed out words, BIG text, hidden text… you can do a lot with your text messages on Discord after you’ve written them! And if you’ve found yourself here, you likely want to learn how! 

In this article, we’ll be going over some of the many ways you can format your Discord message to add more emphasis, include helpful context, or just make it POP.

‍ If you’re familiar with writing with Markdown , most of this will be very familiar — Discord also uses Markdown for its message formatting! Feel free to bookmark this article to quickly preview how your message may appear, or to share it with a friend who doesn’t know how to format their messages on Discord! You can also use the Table of Contents in this article to jump straight to the formatting style you’re looking for.

How to Bold Your Text on Discord

BOOM. You just gotta get LOUD sometimes. Or just do a BIG ol’ scream like AUUGHHGHGMBFUGHBGGHHHH or something like that. 

If you wanna make your words BIG and BOLD , just add two asterisks before and after the section you want to make bold.

For example, if you want to really go WOAH , type your message like the one below:

‍ Then, your message will go BOLD like this: 

On desktop or web, you can also highlight your message and press “ CTRL/CMD + B ” to instantly bold the words you have highlighted! 

How to Italicize Your Text on Discord

Sometimes you need to emphasize something in your message, without YELLING it. Or whisper…

Italics can help imply a specific enunciation of your words (“ohh, is that so, huuuh ?”). They can also be used when referring to the title of something, such as the comic mini-series Wumpus Wonderventures . ( Yes, that’s real. ) 

To make your words italic on Discord, add one asterisk before and after your message, like this: 

Then your message will look sleek and stylish , like this: 

Plus, your teacher who happens to have a Discord server will be impressed that you’re using proper MLA format in your normal messages by italicizing your favorite movie’s title. Nerd.

You can also easily italicize any text by highlighting it and pressing “CTRL/CMD + I.”

How to Cross Out Your Text on Discord

Have you ever wanted to correct one of your messages while leaving what you originally said so others can have it as context? Or, act like you’re going to say something else but but correct yourself. You know, for comedic effect. 

To use strikethrough and add a big line through your message, add these lil’ squiggly guys “ ~ “ at the beginning and end of your message:

How to Underline in Your Text on Discord

Just like bolding and italicizing , underlining is another way you can add emphasis to a particular set of words in your message. You can use it to point out a few words, or you can add it to the top of a long message to give your post a “title” of sorts! At least, my boss always uses it like that on me… 

To underline some text, add two “_” symbols before and after the words you want to underline. Think of it as adding lines around your words! 

This one’s got a desktop keybind, too! Highlight the words you want to underline and press “ CTRL/CMD + U. ” 

How to Put Spoilers in Your Text on Discord

Talking about something in secret ? Or, are you discussing the latest Marvel movie but Josh somehow still hasn’t gotten around to watching it yet while everyone else has ? Instead of keeping your friend out of a conversation, try hiding parts of your message in a Spoiler Tag! Do this by typing your message between |vertical bars|, also known as pipes.

Pro tip: If you put a spoiler tag around a link you want to share, the embed itself will be hidden behind a spoiler tag! Not everyone wants to see what you’re sharing for Weird Fish Wednesday. (We do though.) 

How to make text big or small using Headers

If you’re looking for a nice way to format and organize a longer message, or bolding your message simply isn’t enough, try using headers! They’ll make your words either REALLY BIG, kinda big, sorta big, or itty bitty. 

You can make any line a Header on Discord by placing a particular amount of # symbols in front of it, such as: 

When you send your message, it’ll look like this! 

How to add links to words in your message on Discord

Finally, we’ll talk about linking stuff in your message. By linking specific words in your message to something you want to share, you can avoid pasting in a really long, really ugly link in your nicely-written message, such as https://discord.com/vanityurl/dotcom/steakpants/flour/flower/index11.html . 

This one is a bit more complex, so rather than simply demonstrating, below is a template you can use to easily fill in the blanks! 

Remember: Blue is for you (to open).  ‍

A Note from our Safety Team: Did you receive a message with a link and you’re unsure if you should open said link? When you click on a link hidden behind text, you’ll first see a prompt that shows exactly where you’ll be sent to. You can then decide whether or not you trust the message and open the link. Be safe out there! 

How to make a list in your Discord message

Eggsfloursugarsodapopcornbreadcheese. Did you get that? Okay, maybe that’s a lot.

Instead of writing out an important list in a single sentence, use a bulleted list! Simply add “-” before each line in your message and it’ll be intended with a dot! Any line in your message that starts with a dash will be a list. 

Now, instead of a single sentence saying everything, it’ll be easy to read like this: 

Pro tip: If you add a second dash with a space between them (“- -”), you’ll indent your list with a second dot! 

Now You’re Writing with ✨Style✨ 

Now that you have this cheat sheet to start with, get practicing! It may look like there’s a lot to memorize, but don’t fret… it’ll all be second nature to you in no time ! 

If you ever need some direct help, give us a shout! Send a tweet to our support team at @discord_support whenever you need a pointer or two, or you can reach out to us at our support page . (See? Linked text!) 

And consider sharing this with a friend who’s still learning the ropes! It’ll be around for you to reference.