English Words You Never Knew Existed

The most terrifying words in any language are, I'm from the government and I'm here to help, nevertheless, the English language is filled with delightful words that you've probably never heard of.

Exploring unusual English words expands your vocabulary and spices up your conversations. Here a few intriguing words with their meanings and examples for you to weave into your everyday speech.

Impress your friends and family with these English words that you've never heard of. Yes, these are real English words, and, as a native English speaker, I too have trouble pronouncing most of them!

•  English Words You Never Knew Existed

Limerence (lim-er-ence) - Definition: A state of intense, obsessive infatuation with another person. Example: Her limerence for him was clear in her constant smile and flushed cheeks whenever he entered the room.

Petrichor (pe-tra-i-kor) ~ Definition: The pleasant, earthy smell that arises when rain falls on dry soil. Example: After weeks of drought, the petrichor welcomed her as she stepped outside, reminding her of the lush garden from her childhood home.

Kakorrhaphiophobia (kak-o-rhaph-i-o-pho-bi-a) ~ Definition: An abnormal fear of failure or defeat. Example: His kakorrhaphiophobia was so severe that he turned down a promotion, fearing he wouldn't meet expectations.

Sonder (son-der) ~ Definition: The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. Example: While riding the bus, she experienced sonder, noticing the woman across from her lost in thought, perhaps stressed about her job or dreaming about a vacation.

Nefelibata (nef-ee-lae-bah-ta) ~ Definition: A cloud-walker, meaning someone who lives in an idealistic world of their own. Example: His creativity made him a nefelibata, often losing track of time while painting his fantastical landscapes.

Agremment (ah-gray-mahn) ~ Definition: An agreement or approval, typically in diplomatic contexts.Example: The ambassador worked diligently for months to secure the agremment needed for the trade agreement to move forward.

Quizzaciously (kwiz-ay-shus-lee) ~ Definition: Speaking in a mocking or jesting manner. Example: He quizzaciously remarked on his friend's cooking skills, sparking laughter as they reminisced about their kitchen disasters.

Psithurism (sith-ur-izm) ~ Definition: The sound of the wind whispering through trees or rustling leaves. Example: On her afternoon walk, the psithurism provided a soothing backdrop, reminding her of the peaceful moments spent in nature during her childhood.

Hiraeth (heer-eyeth) ~ Definition: A deep, nostalgic longing for a home or place where you cannot return. Example: After moving abroad, she felt hiraeth for her family's Sunday dinners, filled with laughter and stories from her youth.

Scintilla (sin-till-a) ~ Definition: A tiny, barely detectable amount such as a spark. Example: Even with all their setbacks, there was a scintilla of hope that their project would inspire others.

Exploring the depths of the English language unveils a treasure trove of obscure and intriguing words that will spark your curiosity and enrich your vocabulary.

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