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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 thought 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 go back to our list of the hardest spelling bee words. And boy, aren’t we glad that we didn’t have to spell these words in front of an audience when we were kids! In fact, we are even more glad that we don’t have to do it as adults. Although, when we were compiling this list, we took a mental note of some very 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 it is almighty Grammarly that 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 hardly ever 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!

#1

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Conscientious

Definition: careful, particular, taking great care

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#2

Mlechchha

Definition: people of foreign extraction in ancient India

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vikrant-talponkar avatar
Vic
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In India? I've never heard of this.. I'm not that ancient, but I am Indian..

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#3

Woebegoneness

Definition: strongly affected with woe

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#5

Eudaemonic

Definition: producing happiness; based on the idea of happiness as the proper end of conduct

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#6

Chauffeur

Definition: a person hired to drive a private automobile or limousine

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misterban avatar
Alban Bizet
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#7

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

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#9

Paraphernalia

Definition: particular objects needed for a certain activity

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#10

Crystallographer

Definition: a science that deals with the forms and structures of crystals

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jonnamichellew avatar
Punk Princess Sheena
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#11

Pince-nez

Definition: eyeglasses clipped to the nose by a spring

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#12

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Crustaceology

Definition: a branch of zoology that deals with animals belonging to crustaceans like prawns, lobsters, crabs, shrimps, woodlice, etc.

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#14

Surveillance

Definition: continuous observation of a person, place, or activity in order to gather information

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#15

Idiosyncrasy

Definition: a tendency, habit or mannerism that is peculiar to an individual; a quirk

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#16

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Acquiesce

Definition: to accept as inevitable; to comply passively

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#17

Feldenkrais

Definition: a method of exercise therapy that emphasizes connections between the brain and body

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#18

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

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#19

Xenarthra

Definition: a suborder or other division of Edentata comprising the American anteaters, armadillos, sloths, and usually the extinct ground sloths

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#20

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Wednesday

Definition: the day of the week before Thursday and following Tuesday

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#21

Bologna

Definition: a large smoked sausage made of bacon, veal, pork suet, and other meats

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carmenstanca avatar
Carmen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And an Italian town and an international student-exchange programme - for God's sake!

#22

Playwright

Definition: a person who writes plays

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#23

Minuscule

Definition: extremely small; tiny

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#24

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Sacrilegious

Definition: committing excessive irreverence towards a hallowed place, thing, or thing

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#25

Psoriasis

Definition: a chronic skin-disease characterized by circumscribed red-patches covered with white scales

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#26

Narcissistic

Definition: having or showing an excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance

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#27

Entrepreneur

Definition: a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit

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#28

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud 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

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#29

Handkerchief

Definition: a square of cotton or other finely woven material intended for wiping one's nose

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#30

Resuscitate

Definition: revive (someone) from unconsciousness or apparent death

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#31

Milieu

Definition: the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops; environment, setting

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#32

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Autochthonous

Definition: indigenous, native, aboriginal—used especially of floras and faunas

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#33

Insouciant

Definition: exhibiting or characterized by freedom from concern or care

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#34

Questionnaire

Definition: a list of questions; survey

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#35

Chrysanthemum

Definition: a widely cultivated plant with brightly-colored showy flower heads

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#36

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Demitasse

Definition: small coffee cup

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#37

Vengeance

Definition: punishment inflicted for a wrong done to oneself or another person; revenge

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#38

Malfeasance

Definition: conduct by a public official that violates the public trust or is against the law

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#39

Foudroyant

Definition: sudden and overwhelming; stunning

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#40

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Pterodactyl

Definition: any of various extinct flying reptiles, having no feathers

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#41

Stichomythia

Definition: dialogue, especially a dispute, delivered in alternating lines

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#42

Chrematistic

Definition: of or relating to making money

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#43

Succedaneum

Definition: one that comes next after or replaces another in an office, position or role

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#44

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Appoggiatura

Definition: an accessory embellishing note or tone preceding an essential melodic note or tone and usually written as a note of smaller size

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#45

Feuilleton

Definition: a part of a European newspaper or magazine devoted to material designed to entertain the general reader; a feature section

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#46

Crustaceology

Definition: the study of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp

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#47

Interlocutory

Definition: given during the course of a legal action

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#48

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Hydrophyte

Definition: an aquatic plant, one that grows only on or in water

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#49

Spoliator

Definition: someone who plunders or robs

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#50

Pococurante

Definition: uncaring, apathetic (as well as a person with those qualities)

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#51

Stromuhr

Definition: a medical instrument that determines the amount of blood flowing through a vein or artery

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#52

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Guetapens

Definition: a trap or a snare

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#53

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

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#54

Oryzivorous

Definition: feeding on rice

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#55

Fuchsia

Definition: a shrub with pendulous tubular flowers that are typically of two contrasting colors

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#56

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Accommodate

Definition: provide lodging or sufficient space for

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#57

Audience

Definition: the assembled spectators or listeners at a public event such as a play, film, concert, or meeting

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#58

Canoeing

Definition: the sport or activity of paddling a light, narrow boat

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#59

Miraculous

Definition: very effective or surprising, or difficult to believe

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#60

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Opinionated

Definition: firmly or unduly adhering to one's own opinion or to preconceived notions

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#61

Vivisepulture

Definition: the practice of burying someone alive

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#62

Necessary

Definition: needed to be done, achieved, or present; essential

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#63

Embarrass

Definition: cause (someone) to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed

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#64

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Phlegm

Definition: the thick viscous substance secreted by the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages, especially when produced in excessive quantities during a cold

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#65

Pneumonia

Definition: a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs

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#66

Eczema

Definition: a condition that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin

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#67

Possession

Definition: the state of having, owning, or controlling something

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#68

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Smaragdine

Definition: of or relating to emerald; yellowish green in color like an emerald

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#69

Chiaroscurist

Definition: an artist who uses the arrangement or treatment of the light and dark parts in a pictorial work of art

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#70

Unconscious

Definition: not conscious; without awareness

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#71

Liaison

Definition: a person who maintains a connection between people or groups

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#72

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Onomatopoeia

Definition: the formation of a word by imitation of a sound of the noise or action described, such as hiss, honk, or meow

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#73

Prospicience

Definition: the act of looking forward; foresight

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#74

Antediluvian

Definition: 1. of or relating to the period before the Biblical flood
2. old-fashioned; antiquated

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#75

Eudemonic

Definition: pertaining to conducive to happiness

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#76

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Logorrhea

Definition: excessive and often incoherent talkativeness

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teresa_mozart avatar
Ahimsa Soul
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Logorrhea: the inability to log in with the correct password in the first 3 attempts.

#77

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

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#78

Esquamulose

Definition: not covered with or consisting of minute scales

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#79

Xanthosis

Definition: a yellow discoloration of the skin from abnormal causes

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#80

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Ursprache

Definition: a parent language; especially; one reconstructed from the evidence of later languages

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#81

Laodicean

Definition: lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics

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#82

Shalloon

Definition: a type of twilled fabric

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#83

Lyceum

Definition: an institution or building that hosts lectures and other educational programs

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#84

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Gesellschaft

Meaning: social relationships based on duty or obligation, not camaraderie

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#85

Plumbiferous

Definition: containing lead

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#86

Kittiwake

Definition: a small gull that nests in colonies on sea cliffs, having a loud call that resembles its name

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#87

Nauseous

Definition: affected with nausea; feeling inclined to vomit

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#88

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Dilate

Definition: make or become wider, larger, or more open

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#89

Indict

Definition: formally accuse of or charge with a crime

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#90

Threshold

Definition: intensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, phenomenon, result, or condition to occur or be manifested

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#91

Pursue

Definition: to follow or chase

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#92

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Rapport

Definition: a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well

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#93

Discipline

Definition: the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience

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#94

Punctuality

Definition: the fact or quality of being on time

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#95

Inquisitive

Definition: having or showing an interest in learning things; curious

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#96

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Serrefine

Definition: small forceps used for clamping an artery

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#97

Weltanschauung

Definition: a particular philosophy or view of life; the world view of an individual or group

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#98

Orangutan

Definition: a large ape with brownish-red hair

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#99

Occasion

Definition: a particular event, or the time at which it takes place

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#100

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Vacuum

Definition: a space entirely devoid of matter

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#101

Accessory

Definition: a thing which can be added to something else in order to make it more useful, versatile, or attractive

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#102

Broccoli

Definition: a cultivated variety of cabbage bearing heads of green or purplish flower buds that are eaten as a vegetable

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#103

Charcuterie

Definition: cold cooked meats

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#104

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Paradigm

Definition: a typical example or pattern of something; a pattern or model

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#105

Chihuahua

Definition: breed of very small roundheaded dogs that occur in short-coated and long-coated varieties

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#106

Albumen

Definition: the white of an egg

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#107

Precocious

Definition: unusually mature, especially in mental development

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#108

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Irascible

Definition: irritable, quick-tempered

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#109

Cerise

Definition: a moderate red color

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#110

Euonym

Definition: a name well suited to the person, place or thing named

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#111

Scherenschnitte

Definition: the art of cutting paper into decorative designs

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#112

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Gesellschaft

Definition: a rationally developed mechanistic type of social relationship characterized by impersonally contracted associations between persons

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#113

Asceticism

Definition: the practice of avoiding indulgences and temptations, usually for religious reasons

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#114

Macerate

Definition: to soften (usually food) by soaking in liquid

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#115

Maculature

Definition: in art, a printing impression made to remove excess ink

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#116

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Elegiacal

Definition: sorrowful or lamenting

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#117

Nunatak

Definition: a peak of rock above an icy or snowy surface

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#118

Koinonia

Definition: an intimate religious experience or spiritual connection

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#119

Parvenuism

Definition: parvenu nature or behavior

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#120

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Oyez

Definition: used by a court or public crier to gain attention before a proclamation

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#121

Heiau

Definition: a pre-Christian Hawaiian temple or other place of worship (as a stone platform or an earthen terrace)

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#122

Liquefy

Definition: make or become liquid

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#123

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Sherbet

Definition: a flavored sweet effervescent powder eaten alone or made into a drink

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#124

Elucubrate

Definition: to work out or express by studious effort

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#125

Incredible

Definition: impossible to believe

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#126

Guardian

Definition: a person who protects or defends something

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#127

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Courtoisie

Definition: courtliness, the code of courtly love

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#128

Epitome

Definition: the best example of something; a perfect representation

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#129

Slough

Definition: 1. to shed something 2. a wet, swampy area

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#130

Gnaw

Definition: bite at or nibble something persistently

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#131

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud Soubrette

Definition: a lady’s maid in comedies who acts the part of a coquettish maidservant or frivolous young woman

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#132

Foulard

Definition: a lightweight plain-woven or twilled silk usually printed with a small neat evenly spaced pattern

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#133

Schappe

Definition: a yarn or fabric of spun silk

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#134

Marocain

Definition: a type of fabric made from silk or wool

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#135

135 Hard Spelling Bee Words We Are Very Glad We Don’t Have To Spell Out Loud 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

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