Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Before we begin with the official introductions to our list of hard spelling bee words, let’s remember one viral video from a couple of (okay, okay, more like ten) years ago.
You know, the one where a kid is asked to spell numnah (a thing you put under a horse’s saddle), and he’s all super confused and asks to repeat the word several times just to be sure it wasn’t what he thought he had heard. Disclaimer - he felt it was numbnut. Google it if you haven’t seen it - it’s absolutely brilliant.
Okay, with that story out of the way, we can return to our list of the hardest spelling bee words. And boy, aren’t we glad we didn’t have to spell these words in front of an audience when we were kids! In fact, we are even more pleased that we don’t have to do it as adults.
Although we were compiling this list, we took a mental note of some exceedingly cool words to be used in situations where we’d like to seem fancier-than-thou. In hopes, of course, that we won’t have to spell them afterward.
But, if you find us using words like malfeasance or antediluvian, just know that almighty Grammarly made sure we got them right.
As far as introductions go, we think this one did its job, and now it is about time to check out the hardest words to spell we’ve rounded up in this article. Since a better half of them are rarely used anymore, we’ve supplied them with short explanations so you’ll know the proper instances to use these spelling bee words.
Once you are done checking out the list, rank the submissions so the hardest words to spell find their way to the top!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Because half-measures just won’t do
Conscientious
Definition: careful, particular, taking great care
RELATED:
#2
When Your Ancestors Were the OG Outsiders
Mlechchha Definition: people of foreign extraction in ancient India
#3
Mood: Perpetually Extra
Woebegoneness Definition: strongly affected with woe
#4
Barely Making Waves, Honestly
Milquetoast
Definition: a timid, unassertive, or apologetic person
#5
Happiness, but make it deep
Eudaemonic Definition: producing happiness; based on the idea of happiness as the proper end of conduct
#6
Who Needs Directions Anyway?
Chauffeur Definition: a person hired to drive a private automobile or limousine
Alban Bizet 3 years ago
it's just the french word for it, it comes from the word chauffant (heating) with eur to design a person, because it was what the people who maintained the fire in a steam engine so it became to word for the job of driving any vehocule after that, from train to truck to hired car
#7
Meet Your Tiny Unwanted Roommates
Staphylococci Definition: a genus of non-motile spherical eubacteria that occur singly, in pairs or tetrads and comprise a few parasites of skin and mucous membranes
#8
Wave hello to better hair days
Cymotrichous
Definition: having the hair wavy
#9
Gear Up or Gear Out
Paraphernalia Definition: particular objects needed for a certain activity
#10
Geeking Out Over Sparkly Stuff
Crystallographer Definition: a science that deals with the forms and structures of crystals
Punk Princess Sheena 3 years ago
I sold crystals for twenty five years and love them.... I have a huge collection. But far too many people rely on their healing powers above all else. I had a regular customer who ended up getting cancer and refused all treatment other than her crystals. I tried to talk her into getting treatment or even doing both but she refused. She died within a year.
#11
Nose-Hugging Nerd Chic
Pince-nez Definition: eyeglasses clipped to the nose by a spring
Queen Julius Her Majesty the 3rd 3 years ago
So how's it pronounced ? Options:. a) Price niece b) Prince sneeze. c) Prince ness.
#12
Apparently, studying crabs is a thing
Crustaceology
Definition: a branch of zoology that deals with animals belonging to crustaceans like prawns, lobsters, crabs, shrimps, woodlice, etc.
#13
Why Is My Tooth Throwing Shade?
Odontalgia Definition: toothache
#14
Big Brother’s Low-Key Hobby
Surveillance Definition: continuous observation of a person, place, or activity in order to gather information
#15
Quirks that make you, *you*
Idiosyncrasy Definition: a tendency, habit or mannerism that is peculiar to an individual; a quirk
#16
Guess I’m Just Going With It
Acquiesce
Definition: to accept as inevitable; to comply passively
#17
Brain and body actually catching feelings
Feldenkrais Definition: a method of exercise therapy that emphasizes connections between the brain and body
#18
Mini storm, big mood
Neutercane Definition: a subtropical cyclone that is usually less than 100 miles in diameter and that draws energy from sources common to both the hurricane and the frontal cyclone
#19
Weird Squad of Nature
Xenarthra Definition: a suborder or other division of Edentata comprising the American anteaters, armadillos, sloths, and usually the extinct ground sloths
#20
Midweek, but make it confusing
Wednesday
Definition: the day of the week before Thursday and following Tuesday
#21
Unexpected Meat Medley
Bologna Definition: a large smoked sausage made of bacon, veal, pork suet, and other meats
#24
When You Secretly Laugh at the Sacred
Sacrilegious
Definition: committing excessive irreverence towards a hallowed place, thing, or thing
#25
Red patches, white drama
Psoriasis Definition: a chronic skin-disease characterized by circumscribed red-patches covered with white scales
#26
Mirror, Mirror, But Make It Obsessive
Narcissistic Definition: having or showing an excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance
#27
Risking it all, just to say you tried
Entrepreneur Definition: a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit
#28
Shocking Nature Moment
Lightning
Definition: the occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically also thunder
#29
Classic pocket MVP
Handkerchief Definition: a square of cotton or other finely woven material intended for wiping one's nose
#30
Wake Me Up, Please
Resuscitate Definition: revive (someone) from unconsciousness or apparent death
#31
Setting the Scene, Literally
Milieu Definition: the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops; environment, setting
#32
Native Vibes Only
Autochthonous
Definition: indigenous, native, aboriginal—used especially of floras and faunas
#33
Carefree Vibes Only
Insouciant Definition: exhibiting or characterized by freedom from concern or care
#35
Botanical flex, no filter
Chrysanthemum Definition: a widely cultivated plant with brightly-colored showy flower heads
#36
Tiny cup, big vibes
Demitasse
Definition: small coffee cup
#37
When Karma Needs Backup
Vengeance Definition: punishment inflicted for a wrong done to oneself or another person; revenge
#38
When Trust Takes a Vacation
Malfeasance Definition: conduct by a public official that violates the public trust or is against the law
#40
Feathers? Nah, Just Wings
Pterodactyl
Definition: any of various extinct flying reptiles, having no feathers
#41
When arguments become a rapid-fire game
Stichomythia Definition: dialogue, especially a dispute, delivered in alternating lines
#43
When Plan A Packs Up
Succedaneum Definition: one that comes next after or replaces another in an office, position or role
#44
Tiny note, big mood shift
Appoggiatura
Definition: an accessory embellishing note or tone preceding an essential melodic note or tone and usually written as a note of smaller size
#45
When Newspapers Tried Being Fun
Feuilleton Definition: a part of a European newspaper or magazine devoted to material designed to entertain the general reader; a feature section
#46
Crab Science? Bet You Didn’t Know That
Crustaceology Definition: the study of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp
#48
Plants Living Their Best Water Life
Hydrophyte
Definition: an aquatic plant, one that grows only on or in water
#50
When You Just Can’t Even
Pococurante Definition: uncaring, apathetic (as well as a person with those qualities)
#51
Blood Flow Meets Its Match
Stromuhr Definition: a medical instrument that determines the amount of blood flowing through a vein or artery
#53
School, But Make It Chill
Montessorian Definition: of, following, or relating to a system for training young children emphasizing free physical activity, informal and individual instruction, early development of writing and reading, and extended sensory motor training
#55
Botanical flex, but make it fashion
Fuchsia Definition: a shrub with pendulous tubular flowers that are typically of two contrasting colors
#57
Who Needs a Crowd Anyway?
Audience Definition: the assembled spectators or listeners at a public event such as a play, film, concert, or meeting
#58
Row, row, but don’t drown
Canoeing Definition: the sport or activity of paddling a light, narrow boat
#59
Wait, how is this even real?
Miraculous Definition: very effective or surprising, or difficult to believe
#60
Stubborn, but make it fashion
Opinionated
Definition: firmly or unduly adhering to one's own opinion or to preconceived notions
#61
Surprise Plot Twist: Not a Dream
Vivisepulture Definition: the practice of burying someone alive
#62
Needed It Before You Knew It
Necessary Definition: needed to be done, achieved, or present; essential
#63
Awkward Level: Expert
Embarrass Definition: cause (someone) to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed
#64
Nature’s Unwanted Goo
Phlegm
Definition: the thick viscous substance secreted by the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages, especially when produced in excessive quantities during a cold
#65
When Your Lungs Throw a Fit
Pneumonia Definition: a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs
#66
Skin that screams “Why me?”
Eczema Definition: a condition that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin
#67
That moment when you actually own it
Possession Definition: the state of having, owning, or controlling something
#68
That’s a flex, green edition
Smaragdine
Definition: of or relating to emerald; yellowish green in color like an emerald
#69
Shadow Play Mastermind
Chiaroscurist Definition: an artist who uses the arrangement or treatment of the light and dark parts in a pictorial work of art
#71
The Middleman We Actually Need
Liaison Definition: a person who maintains a connection between people or groups
#72
Words That Literally Speak For Themselves
Onomatopoeia
Definition: the formation of a word by imitation of a sound of the noise or action described, such as hiss, honk, or meow
#73
Psychic Powers, But Make It Real
Prospicience Definition: the act of looking forward; foresight
#74
When Your Vocabulary Needs a Time Machine
Antediluvian Definition: 1. of or relating to the period before the Biblical flood 2. old-fashioned; antiquated
#76
When Talking Turns Typhoon
Logorrhea
Definition: excessive and often incoherent talkativeness
Ahimsa Soul 3 years ago
Logorrhea: the inability to log in with the correct password in the first 3 attempts.
#77
Flag language, but make it fancy
Semaphore Definition: a system of visual signaling (as between ships) in which the sender holds a flag in each hand and moves his arms to different positions according to a code alphabet
#78
Scaleless and Still Cool
Esquamulose Definition: not covered with or consisting of minute scales
#79
When Your Skin Decides to Go Yellow
Xanthosis Definition: a yellow discoloration of the skin from abnormal causes
#80
OG language vibes
Ursprache
Definition: a parent language; especially; one reconstructed from the evidence of later languages
#81
Hot takes, but make it lukewarm
Laodicean Definition: lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics
#83
When School Feels Fancy
Lyceum Definition: an institution or building that hosts lectures and other educational programs
#84
Friendship, but make it official
Gesellschaft
Meaning: social relationships based on duty or obligation, not camaraderie
#85
Heavy Metal Vibes
Plumbiferous Definition: containing lead
#86
Nature’s Cliffside Noise Machine
Kittiwake Definition: a small gull that nests in colonies on sea cliffs, having a loud call that resembles its name
#88
When Everything Needs More Space
Dilate
Definition: make or become wider, larger, or more open
#90
When Enough Is Just Enough
Threshold Definition: intensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, phenomenon, result, or condition to occur or be manifested
#92
When vibes just click
Rapport
Definition: a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well
#93
Punishment Didn’t Make Me Listen Either
Discipline Definition: the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience
#95
Curiosity Didn’t Kill Anyone
Inquisitive Definition: having or showing an interest in learning things; curious
#97
Brain Drain or World Gain?
Weltanschauung Definition: a particular philosophy or view of life; the world view of an individual or group
#98
Bigger Than Your Average Fluffball
Orangutan Definition: a large ape with brownish-red hair
#99
That Moment Everyone Talks About
Occasion Definition: a particular event, or the time at which it takes place
#101
Just a Little Something Extra
Accessory Definition: a thing which can be added to something else in order to make it more useful, versatile, or attractive
#102
Tiny trees that actually pay off
Broccoli Definition: a cultivated variety of cabbage bearing heads of green or purplish flower buds that are eaten as a vegetable
#104
Big Brain Pattern Energy
Paradigm
Definition: a typical example or pattern of something; a pattern or model
#105
Pocket-Sized Drama Queens
Chihuahua Definition: breed of very small roundheaded dogs that occur in short-coated and long-coated varieties
#107
Brains Over Age, Every Time
Precocious Definition: unusually mature, especially in mental development
#110
When the Name Fits Too Well
Euonym Definition: a name well suited to the person, place or thing named
#111
Cutting Paper, Level: Expert
Scherenschnitte Definition: the art of cutting paper into decorative designs
#112
When small talk is basically a business deal
Gesellschaft
Definition: a rationally developed mechanistic type of social relationship characterized by impersonally contracted associations between persons
#113
When You Flex Self-Control Like a Monk
Asceticism Definition: the practice of avoiding indulgences and temptations, usually for religious reasons
#114
Soaking Up Flavor Like a Pro
Macerate Definition: to soften (usually food) by soaking in liquid
#115
Oops, Ink Happens
Maculature Definition: in art, a printing impression made to remove excess ink
#118
Spiritual Vibes Only
Koinonia Definition: an intimate religious experience or spiritual connection
#120
Classic courtroom mic drop
Oyez
Definition: used by a court or public crier to gain attention before a proclamation
#121
Altars Before Wi-Fi
Heiau Definition: a pre-Christian Hawaiian temple or other place of worship (as a stone platform or an earthen terrace)
#123
Unexpectedly Fizzy Sweet Fix
Sherbet
Definition: a flavored sweet effervescent powder eaten alone or made into a drink
#126
Because Someone’s Gotta Watch Out
Guardian Definition: a person who protects or defends something
#127
Old-School Charm, Modern Vibes
Courtoisie
Definition: courtliness, the code of courtly love
#128
Peak vibes only
Epitome Definition: the best example of something; a perfect representation
#129
When Nature Decides to Detox
Slough Definition: 1. to shed something 2. a wet, swampy area
#130
When nibbling becomes a lifestyle
Gnaw Definition: bite at or nibble something persistently
#131
Quirky Maids, Big Personality
Soubrette
Definition: a lady’s maid in comedies who acts the part of a coquettish maidservant or frivolous young woman
#132
Silk’s Fancy Little Secret
Foulard Definition: a lightweight plain-woven or twilled silk usually printed with a small neat evenly spaced pattern
#135
Crossing Into Church Nerd Territory
Transept
Definition: the short area that trans-versing the long-side of a church and giving the church the shape of a cross when viewed from above
What do you think ?
Catrovert 3 years ago
Oh I have so many of these: cachexia, juxtapose, sesquipedalian, llullaillaco, vexillologist, croquignole, hiortdahlite, tchefuncte, darmstadtium, i could go on forever; I still have my list from my 6th grade county spelling bee. I made it past the school bee and got within the top ten of county.
Punk Princess Sheena 3 years ago
I lost the third grade spelling bee when I misspelled herb...left the h off. Thankfully I'm a great speller now but as I get older I'm noticing simple words trip me up sometimes.
Katy McMouse 3 years ago
Same! I type something or write it down and I can't decide if it's spelled correctly or not. It almost looks alien.
Load More Replies... Alban Bizet 3 years ago
For most of them if you know some Latin or ancient greek you can spell them
Catrovert 3 years ago
Oh I have so many of these: cachexia, juxtapose, sesquipedalian, llullaillaco, vexillologist, croquignole, hiortdahlite, tchefuncte, darmstadtium, i could go on forever; I still have my list from my 6th grade county spelling bee. I made it past the school bee and got within the top ten of county.
Punk Princess Sheena 3 years ago
I lost the third grade spelling bee when I misspelled herb...left the h off. Thankfully I'm a great speller now but as I get older I'm noticing simple words trip me up sometimes.
Katy McMouse 3 years ago
Same! I type something or write it down and I can't decide if it's spelled correctly or not. It almost looks alien.
Load More Replies... Alban Bizet 3 years ago
For most of them if you know some Latin or ancient greek you can spell them
Related on Bored Panda
