The 25 of the Hardest English Words to Spell

by Lana at TranscriptionServices.com

Word	Meaning
antediluvian	Of or relating to the period before the flood described in the Bible.
appoggiatura	An embellishing note or tone preceding an essential melodic note or tone and usually written as a note of smaller size.
asceticism	The practice of avoiding indulgences and temptations, usually for religious reasons.
autochthonous	Found in a locality in which it originates; indigenous.
chiaroscurist	An artist who specializes in ‘chiaroscuro,’ which focuses on ‘the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade.’
crustaceology	The study of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp.
cymotrichous	Having wavy hair.
elucubrate	To produce (especially literary work) by long and intensive effort.
esquamulose	The opposite of ‘squamulose,’ which means, ‘furnished or covered with tiny scales.’
eudaemonic	Pertaining or conducive to happiness.
euonym	An appropriate name for a person, place, or thing.
guetapens	A trap or a snare.
hydrophyte	An aquatic plant, one that grows only on or in water.
insouciant	Free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant.
interlocutory	Given during the course of a legal action.
Laodicean	Lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics.
logorrhea	Pathologically incoherent, repetitious speech.
macerate	To soften (usually food) by soaking in liquid.
odontalgia	Pain in a tooth; toothache.
prospicience	The act of looking forward; foresight.
scherenschnitte	The art of cutting paper into decorative designs.
smaragdine	Of or relating to emeralds; emerald-green in color.
soubrette	A high female vocal range or an actress in an opera with such a vocal range.
succedaneum	A substitute.
Ursprache	An extinct language reconstructed using evidence from later languages-for example, Proto-Germanic, the hypothetical ancestor of the Germanic languages.