There comes a time in everyone’s life when we want to look smart, intelligent, and well-read. We could don a pair of rimless glasses for that or even grow a beard to look a bit wiser, but deep down inside, we know that we won’t fool anyone with our appearances. It’s the way we talk and what we say that render us clever! And what’s an easier way to seem or even become more intelligent than by using big words to sound smart? There isn’t one if you ask us! And, by a lucky coincidence, we rounded up a bunch of fancy words, explained them, and put them on this list for you to learn and use in appropriate situations.
Of course, using smart words without understanding them just to seem smart or impress somebody is not something we should be doing, as we discussed in this article, but that doesn’t mean you should talk in obscure words all the time. It usually sounds like you either don’t know the language very well (even if it is your native tongue) or your speaking abilities are rather limited.
That said, learning these sophisticated words from our list and using them appropriately will absolutely make you sound a bit fancier and more serious. Besides, learning languages — even if it is deepening the knowledge of your mother tongue — is a good brain exercise, and we cannot find any flaws with such an activity. And, if you ever forget a simple word for an everyday thing, just like these people did, you’ll at least remember something fancy to use instead!
Right, our list of big words to sound smart in any situation is a tad bit below. Scroll down there, check these interesting words out, and give your vote to those you’ve encountered for the first time!
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Ennui.
Meaning: It's the feeling you get when you're simultaneously bored and annoyed.
Bloviate.
Meaning: To speak pompously.
I actually love this word. The way it's said sounds how it means. "Bloviating wind bag!"
Equivocate.
Meaning: Using vague language to hide the truth.
What are Fancy Words?
Fancy words, also known as big words or sophisticated words, are usually complex, unusual words rarely used in daily language or conversations. Most of the time, they come from academic backgrounds, niche topics, or are archaic and used by few people nowadays. Such cool words are usually used to express abstract concepts, technicalities or to purely add some sophistication to one’s speech.
Examples of fancy words include pulchritude (beauty), sesquipedalian (using long words), obfuscate (to confuse or bewilder), abrogate (to abolish or annul), mellifluous (pleasing or musical sounding), and plenty more.
Malinger.
Meaning: To pretend illness, especially in order to shirk one's duty, avoid work, etc.
Obtuse.
Meaning: Annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.
Flummoxed.
Meaning: So confused that you do not know what to do.
Me whenever I know something has changed, but I don't know what changed or how
What Makes You Sound Smart?
Well, that’s a question that requires a multi-pronged approach, but we’ll try to keep it as short as possible. And yes, using big words to sound smart is partly an answer! However, there are more things that make you sound smart than just the use of beautiful words, such as:
- Articulation. You could know all the smart words there are, but it won’t do you any good if you aren’t speaking clearly and confidently! Avoid filler words like ‘um’ and ‘ehrm’ at all costs — they aren’t doing any good to upkeep that intelligent front.
- Knowledge. This part requires a bit more time and patience! Being well-read, keeping the pulse on current worldly happenings, and having deep knowledge of various topics are the things that not only make you sound smart but also actually make you smart.
- Critical thinking. Analyzing information and asking relevant questions reflects intelligence. Offering different approaches to a problem and delivering logical solutions will make you sound smart. Pepper your speech with big words to sound smart, and you’ll blow everyone away!
- Active listening. Yup, listening is just as important as speaking when it comes to intelligence! Paying close attention to what others are conveying and replying in a thoughtful manner is a clear sign of being one smart cookie.
Always remember that purely using big words to sound smart without understanding their meaning or in the wrong context might make you look a bit like a hoax. Even if you choose such big words as axiom, bourgeois, and cacophony, that sound exceptionally intelligent! Be as it may, intelligence is a genuine thing and well worth the investment.
Catch-22.
Meaning: An impossible situation where you are prevented from doing one thing until you have done another thing that you cannot do until you have done the first thing.
Fastidious.
Meaning: Giving too much attention to small details and wanting everything to be correct and perfect.
Resplendent.
Meaning: Shining brilliantly.
Ah yes, takes me back to teaching English in Japan. Top classes had to pass with phrases like, "She entered the room wearing resplendent linen." or "He went to that building to vote in the local election."
Should You Use Big Words to Sound Smart?
If you read the paragraph that came before this one, you might be wondering if using words to make you sound smart is such a good idea after all. Well, it is, and it isn’t! It all depends on how and when you use them:
- Using fancy words can absolutely make you sound smart, but be mindful that you fully understand their meaning and that you’re using them in the right context.
- If you choose big words to use in your speech without fully understanding the terminology, you might cause further confusion rather than infusing your talk with intelligence. And nobody would want that!
- All in all, if in doubt whether you should be using, say, a big word for smart, such as astute or clever, in a given setting, or if bona fide (spelled boh-nah fih-deh not bone a fied) works in your sentence, stick to expressing yourself clearly and concisely, instead. That always does the trick!
Naturally, learning a bit about words that make you sound smart will do you no harm — on the contrary! As your vocabulary expands, you’ll find yourself not only sounding but actually getting smarter, and that’s a huge bonus.
That said, shouldn’t you be reading the sophisticated words on our list? Keep scrolling and enjoy these big words to sound smart!
Maudlin.
Meaning: Self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental.
Perfunctory.
Meaning: Carried out without real interest, feeling, or effort.
Umbrage.
Meaning: "Offense" or "Annoyance."
I love this word it's so British .. I take Umbrage at your accusations Sir!!!
Boondoggle.
Meaning: Activity that pretends to be useful but is really just a big waste of your valuable time.
Euphemism.
Meaning: A coy alternative for an unpleasant or embarrassing word.
Selcouth.
Meaning: Unusual, strange.
Ubiquitous.
Meaning: Found everywhere.
Fait Accompli.
Meaning: Something that has already happened or been done and cannot be changed.
Particularly when someone expected to have some say in the decision, but doesn't get it. The Treaty of Versalles, for example.
Quid Pro Quo.
Meaning: A favor granted in return for something.
Amorousness.
Meaning: The act of being in love.
It's more like someone being very demonstrative of their love. Think Gomez and Morticia.
Parsimonious.
Meaning: Not willing to spend money or to give or use a lot of something.
Quiddity.
Meaning: Whatever makes something the type that it is; the essence.
Glib.
Meaning: Thinking that you have all the solutions, but you're just blowing smoke.
Beauteous.
Meaning: Beautiful.
Didn’t Bill & Ted’s excellent Adventure bring this word back into common usage for a while after the movie was released? 🤣🤣
Amativeness.
Meaning: Relating to or indicative of love.
Amatonormitivity is related to heteronormativity. Hope that clears it up.
Mellifluous.
Meaning: A smooth, flowing sound that hits your ears in just the right way.
Cajole.
Meaning: To persuade someone to do something they might not want to do, by pleasant talk and (sometimes false) promises.
Employer handbook rule #14 - Always Cajole your employees and then withhold the bonuses based on a technicality.
Flabbergasted.
Meaning: Feeling shocked, usually because of something you were not expecting.
Quintessential.
Meaning: The most perfect example of something.
Status Quo.
Meaning: The existing social and political affairs.
Brogue.
Meaning: Compliment but using a word with a sense of history.
It's another word for an accent such as Scottish or Irish .. or even a type of shoe ...
Teetotaler.
Meaning: Someone who never drinks alcohol.
Touché.
Meaning: Used to admit that someone has made a good point against you in an argument or discussion.
Prodigious.
Meaning: Wonderful or marvelous.
Wondrous.
Meaning: That is to be marveled at.
Circumlocution.
Meaning: The use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea.
Gregarious.
Meaning: (of a person) fond of company; sociable.
Innocuous.
Meaning: Not harmful.
There were no reactions to the injections so the inoculations were innocuous..
Axiomatic.
Meaning: Self-evident, requiring no proof.
Canoodle.
Meaning: To engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and passionate kissing.
Ebullience.
Meaning: The quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts and feelings.
Cacophony.
Meaning: A "cacophony" is any loud, unpleasant mixture of sounds.
Quagmire.
Meaning: A difficult and dangerous situation.
Deja Vu.
Meaning: A feeling that you have already lived this moment before.
Orgulous.
Meaning: Proud.
Excogitate.
Meaning: Thinking of something carefully or thoroughly.
Consanguineous.
Meaning: Of the same blood or origin; someone who descends from the same ancestor.
Anagnorisis.
Meaning: The point in the plot especially of a tragedy at which the protagonist recognizes his or her or some other character’s true identity or discovers the true nature of his or her own situation.
Sycophant.
Meaning: "Suck-up" or a "Brown-noser".
Tryst.
Meaning: A meeting between two people who are having a romantic relationship.
Vitriol.
Meaning: Violent hate and anger expressed through severe criticism.
Bona fide.
Meaning: Done genuinely in good faith, having no intention otherwise.
Literally "in good faith". Same root as Semper Fidelis, "always faithful".
Chic.
Meaning: Elegant and/or fashionable.
Didactic.
Meaning: Intending to teach, in the manner of teachers.
It can also mean to be obnoxiously preachy or to come across like you're lecturing people in an inappropriate context (eg a piece of entertainment which is more interested in telling the audience what to think than actually telling a good story).
Elucidate.
Meaning: Explain elaborately so as to clarify.
Idiosyncrasy.
Meaning: A strange or unusual habit, way of behaving, or feature that someone or something has.
Pervicacious.
Meaning: Extremely willful; obstinate.
Women called me perv for years. I didn't know it was short for pervicacious.
Cloying.
Meaning: Causing or tending to cause disgust or aversion through excess.
Immaculate.
Meaning: Having or containing no flaw or error.
Literally "spotless". Used by Catholics to mean "without (original) sin".
Tenderness.
Meaning: Gentleness and affection.
Besottedness.
Meaning: Related to being blindly or utterly infatuated.
Halcyon.
Meaning: Characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity.
Normally of a historical period, or a stage in someone's life, often compared to later, less happy, times. Think Europe before 1914.
Gasconading.
Meaning: To brag or gloat.
Grandiloquent.
Meaning: A lofty, extravagantly colorful, pompous, or bombastic style, manner, or quality, especially in language.
Aquiver.
Meaning: You're so overcome with emotion that you're practically trembling.
Robinhood as a child was emotional when given his first Bow and Arrows.. he was Aquiver over his Quiver
Non-sequitur.
Meaning: It's when the subject in a conversation gets changed without warning, usually abruptly.
Nefarious.
Meaning: Evil is just evil, but when it goes the extra mile that's when it becomes nefarious.
Empathy.
Meaning: The ability to share someone else's feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person's situation.
Ambivalent.
Meaning: Having two opposing feelings at the same time, or being uncertain about how you feel.
"Watching your mother-in-law drive off a cliff in your new car" (Old joke, sorry!)
Obfuscate.
Meaning: To make something less clear and harder to understand, especially intentionally.
Equanimity.
Meaning: Mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain.
Malaise.
Meaning: A vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort.
Pusillanimous.
Meaning: Lacking courage or resolution.
The root of that word is pussy (Latin, no courage, wimp) "If you don't drink that sixth shot you're a pussy."
Quintessential.
Meaning: Perfectly typical or representative of a particular kind of person or thing.
Statuesque.
Meaning: Majestic dignity, grace, or beauty.
Orphic.
Meaning: Mystic, oracular; fascinating, entrancing.
Also the name of an app that gives a whole bunch for words you've probably never heard before! 100% free and fun to have around, 100% recommend.
Tantalizing.
Meaning: Tormenting or teasing with the sight or promise of something unobtainable; exciting one’s senses or desires.
From the Greek Titan Tantalus, who was punished by Zeus to perpetual thirst and hunger while grapes and water were *juuust* out of reach.
Usufruct.
Meaning: The right to use and enjoy the profits and advantages of something belonging to another.
Luminescent.
Meaning: Something that displays light that is not caused by heat.
Psychotomimetic.
Meaning: Relating to, involving, or inducing psychotic alteration of behavior and personality.
Avant Garde.
Meaning: Ultra-modern, innovative, or advanced.
This actually means to be new and unusual not modern but probably innovative usually also tends to be a louder thing like a design or art or a concept
Solipsistic.
Meaning: Extremely preoccupied with and indulgent of one's feelings, desires, etc.
Commonsensical.
Meaning: Sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or the facts.
Canonize.
Meaning: To treat as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred.
Caustic.
Meaning: Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.
Non sequitur.
Meaning: A statement that does not correctly follow from the meaning of the previous statement.
