sophisticated language for essays

50 Sophisticated Words to Trick Schools into Thinking You’re Classy

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Many students are intimidated by the essays that must be written to complete college or scholarship applications. The truth is, you don’t have to use big words or fancy words you don’t understand to write a compelling essay — a few well-placed, sophisticated words will do. College essays should be extremely polished and fluff-free.

It’s time to get creative and make every word count, so be sure to use sophisticated words rather than slang or Internet acronyms (LMAO). Forget everything Urban Dictionary taught you and add a touch of class to your vocabulary with more sophisticated words in your writing and speech.

When you are ready to choose a school, we recommend you use our ranking of the top 100 best online colleges as your starting point.

• Advantageous (adjective) beneficial; creating a favorable situation to give an advantage. My volunteer work puts me in an advantageous position over other applicants.
• Alacrity (noun) pep in your step; lively, cheerful, and eager behavior. She lit up the dull room with her alacrity; her energy was palpable. She was thrilled to have been chosen to help.
• Amiable (adjective) friendly and good-natured. He was amiable and well-liked in the community prior to the discovery in his basement.
• Aptitude (noun) talent or ability She discovered her aptitude for real-life math at a young age while shopping with her mother.
• Assiduity (noun) dedication, diligence, and great focus. I studied with assiduity for the exam and feel confident and fully prepared.
• Candor (noun) open; honest; sincere. The senator’s candor during his speech won many voters over.
• Cumulative (adjective) accumulative, all added together. Exercising for one day may not yield results, but the health benefits are cumulative over time.
• Debase (verb) to corrupt or contaminate. I don’t allow mainstream media to debase my common sense.
• Deferential (adjective) yielding out of respect. The commissioner became accustomed to deferential treatment.
• Diligent (adjective) attention to detail; careful and hard-working. My diligent work on the project was critical to its success.
• Eloquent (adjective) fluent; having a way with words; perfectly said. Her eloquent speech moved the audience to tears.
• Elucidate (verb) to explain very clearly. She was eager to elucidate the problem to the mechanic so that it could be fixed.
• Emboldened (adjective) being made bold. We were emboldened by our success and ready to take it to the next level.
• Ephemeral (adjective) fleeting or short-lived. Summer romance is often ephemeral, as is the season itself.
• Equitable (adjective) a fair division between all parties. My equitable share of the profit was 45%.
• Extol (verb) to give high praise. He gave a speech to extol the benefits of online college .
• Gratuitous (adjective) unnecessary; uncalled-for. Both parties hurled gratuitous insults at each other and nothing was accomplished.
• Gregarious (adjective) outgoing; extroverted. The gregarious host made us feel welcome and comfortable in her home.
• Hypocrisy (noun) the insincerity of pretending to believe something you do not believe. My mother’s hypocrisy was exposed when I caught her cursing and smoking after speeding home from a late night out.
• Incisive (adjective) the ability to identify or draw sharp distinctions. Her incisive remarks were hurtful, mostly because they were pointedly accurate.
• Industrious (adjective) hard-working and persevering. In order to stand out from others, you must be smart, polite and industrious at your job.
• Innate (adjective) born with it. He has the innate ability to make people smile and uses it to his advantage.
• Insular (adjective) isolated; an island unto itself. Small-town life has many advantages, but can also be insular in many ways.
• Intrepid (adjective) Bold or brave. The intrepid explorer has seen things the rest of us can only imagine.
• Latent (adjective) there, but not there; having the potential to be realized, but hidden. Since the virus is latent there are no obvious signs of infection.
• Lithe (adjective) supple, bending easily. The dancers were lithe, yet also very strong.
• Maxim (noun) a widely known saying that is accepted as truth. Gandhi’s maxim “Be the change you wish to see in the world” is one to live by.
• Meticulous (adjective) precise attention to every detail. She is always meticulous about her research, leaving no stone unturned.
• Modicum (noun) a small token amount. We enjoyed only a modicum of success so far, but are optimistic about the next project.
• Myriad (noun) a large amount; countless. With online college , there are a myriad of career possibilities.
• Nuance (noun) a very subtle difference. The nuance of her voice added new dimensions to the song she covered.
• Obsequious (adjective) subservient; brown-nosing. His obsequious behavior failed to flatter his boss and quickly became annoying to everyone.
• Panacea (noun) a cure-all. Mom’s homemade chicken soup is the ultimate panacea.
• Pellucid (adjective) clearly understandable. The assembly instructions were surprisingly pellucid, which made the desk easy to put together.
• Penchant (noun) a strong preference or liking. He has a penchant for antique automobiles and frequently attends car shows.
• Perusal (noun) studying with the intent to memorize. A perusal of the material the night before made me feel confident about taking the test.
• Plethora (noun) an abundance or extreme excess. With the plethora of choices, making a decision about which car to buy came down to consumer reviews.
• Pragmatic (adjective) realistic and practical. Her pragmatic approach offered no frills but worked perfectly.
• Predilection (noun) a preference or bias. Her predilection for the color blue was evident in her wardrobe choices.
• Repudiate (verb) to reject or refuse to recognize as valid. He began to repudiate my excuse without even letting me finish.
• Salient (adjective) something that stands out and is obvious. There may be some advantages to buying in early, but they are not immediately salient.
• Staid (adjective) dignified and with decorum. I have lived a particularly staid life, so as not to embarrass myself.
• Studious (adjective) character trait involving diligent study. She was always quite studious; it was not uncommon to find her books lying about.
• Substantiate (verb) to give facts to support a claim. He said he was robbed, but there is nothing to substantiate his claim.
• Superfluous (adjective) in excess; more than is needed. Don’t waste your precious breath with superfluous flattery; it will get you nowhere.
• Surfeit (noun) the quality of overabundance. Considering the surfeit of food in America it is amazing that we still have some of our population go hungry.
• Sycophant (noun) someone who sucks up to others for personal gain. She often wondered if Bruce really liked her or if he was simply being a sycophant because of her wealthy parents.
• Taciturn (adjective) reserved or aloof. I tried to talk to my mother about what happened, but she remained taciturn.
• Venerable (adjective) honorable; highly regarded. I was nervous about performing on opening night because of all the venerable guests in attendance.
• Zenith (noun) the highest point. Looking back, Bradley realized that winning the tournament was the zenith of his high school career.

Visit Vocabulary.com for more sophisticated words to expand your vocabulary — and always keep it classy.

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

By: Author Sophia

Posted on Last updated: October 25, 2023

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How to Write a Great Essay in English! This lesson provides 100+ useful words, transition words and expressions used in writing an essay. Let’s take a look!

The secret to a successful essay doesn’t just lie in the clever things you talk about and the way you structure your points.

Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

Overview of an essay.

Useful Phrases for Proficiency Essays

Developing the argument

• The first aspect to point out is that…
• Let us start by considering the facts.
• The novel portrays, deals with, revolves around…
• Central to the novel is…
• The character of xxx embodies/ epitomizes…

The other side of the argument

• It would also be interesting to see…
• One should, nevertheless, consider the problem from another angle.
• Equally relevant to the issue are the questions of…
• The arguments we have presented… suggest that…/ prove that…/ would indicate that…
• From these arguments one must…/ could…/ might… conclude that…
• All of this points to the conclusion that…
• To conclude…

Ordering elements

• Firstly,…/ Secondly,…/ Finally,… (note the comma after all these introductory words.)
• As a final point…
• On the one hand, …. on the other hand…
• If on the one hand it can be said that… the same is not true for…
• The first argument suggests that… whilst the second suggests that…
• There are at least xxx points to highlight.

Adding elements

• Furthermore, one should not forget that…
• In addition to…
• Moreover…
• It is important to add that…

Accepting other points of view

• Nevertheless, one should accept that…
• However, we also agree that…

Personal opinion

• We/I personally believe that…
• Our/My own point of view is that…
• It is my contention that…
• I am convinced that…
• My own opinion is…

Others’ opinions

• According to some critics… Critics:
• believe that
• suggest that
• are convinced that
• point out that
• emphasize that
• contend that
• go as far as to say that
• argue for this

Introducing examples

• For example…
• For instance…
• To illustrate this point…

Introducing facts

• It is… true that…/ clear that…/ noticeable that…
• One should note here that…

Saying what you think is true

• This leads us to believe that…
• It is very possible that…
• In view of these facts, it is quite likely that…
• Doubtless,…
• One cannot deny that…
• It is (very) clear from these observations that…
• All the same, it is possible that…
• It is difficult to believe that…

Accepting other points to a certain degree

• One can agree up to a certain point with…
• Certainly,… However,…
• It cannot be denied that…

Emphasizing particular points

• The last example highlights the fact that…
• Not only… but also…
• We would even go so far as to say that…

Moderating, agreeing, disagreeing

• By and large…
• Perhaps we should also point out the fact that…
• It would be unfair not to mention the fact that…
• One must admit that…
• We cannot ignore the fact that…
• One cannot possibly accept the fact that…

Consequences

• From these facts, one may conclude that…
• That is why, in our opinion, …
• Which seems to confirm the idea that…
• Thus,…/ Therefore,…
• Some critics suggest…, whereas others…
• Compared to…
• On the one hand, there is the firm belief that… On the other hand, many people are convinced that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 1

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 2

Phrases For Balanced Arguments

Introduction

• It is often said that…
• It is undeniable that…
• It is a well-known fact that…
• One of the most striking features of this text is…
• The first thing that needs to be said is…
• First of all, let us try to analyze…
• One argument in support of…
• We must distinguish carefully between…
• The second reason for…
• An important aspect of the text is…
• It is worth stating at this point that…
• On the other hand, we can observe that…
• The other side of the coin is, however, that…
• Another way of looking at this question is to…
• What conclusions can be drawn from all this?
• The most satisfactory conclusion that we can come to is…
• To sum up… we are convinced that…/ …we believe that…/ …we have to accept that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 3

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Nur Syuhadah Zainuddin

Friday 19th of August 2022

thank u so much its really usefull

12thSeahorse

Wednesday 3rd of August 2022

He or she who masters the English language rules the world!

Friday 25th of March 2022

Thank you so so much, this helped me in my essays with A+

Theophilus Muzvidziwa

Friday 11th of March 2022

Monday 21st of February 2022

English Harmony

I’m Robby, and I’m a non-native English speaker. Throughout my entire life I’ve always wanted to speak in English fluently, but because of the way English is taught in schools, I always struggled with my spoken English.

I couldn't learn to speak fluent English for 5 years - read about what I was doing to learn to speak fluently HERE - are YOU in the same situation?

Then, one fine day, after years of constant pursuit of English fluency, I realized the key aspect of spoken English improvement – learning English phrases and word combinations instead of studying grammar rules and trying to construct sentences in your head from scratch!

If you’re interested in improving your English fluency too, please check out the English Harmony System which is a product I created to help all my fellow foreigners to better their spoken English and achieve so much more in professional, social and personal life.

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Useful Sophisticated English Words & Phrases

If you are new here please read this first.

When I arrived in Ireland 15 years ago, I went onto a mission of learning English vocabulary because I thought it was going to help me overcome my fluency issues.

As a result, I acquired hundreds upon hundreds long English vocabulary lists also containing plenty of words that even native English speakers don’t use and they simply didn’t have a clue what they meant when I tried using them in real life!

I like to call such English vocabulary “sophisticated” , and I’ve also written extensively on this topic on my blog, here’s a couple of articles:

• Don’t Learn Some Obscure English Words that Even Native Speakers DON’T KNOW!
• Simple vs Sophisticated Vocabulary? It’s All Just Semantics (Interpretation)!

Now I know better than to learn English words that nobody uses in day-to-day communication; I’d rather use to learn the vocabulary I already know in DIFFERENT WAYS thus enabling me to speak about virtually any topic.

Sometimes, however, knowing how to use certain sophisticated English words comes in handy and as it was pointed out by one of my YouTube commentators, some English tests and exams may include such vocabulary.

So, without further ado, let’s learn some useful English expressions containing words that you may not have heard before – or maybe you’ve heard them a few times and wondered what they actually mean.

Needless to say, it’s strongly advised you acquire this sophisticated vocabulary by learning the entire word combination thus ensuring you’ll be able to USE the word in question! ( Read this article to understand what exactly I’m talking about here )

NEW!  Clairvoyant – you know the way sometimes people would assume that you know something while in reality you haven’t got any idea what they’re talking about? In situations like that I’d normally say “Do you think I’m a psychic or what?” You can, however, use this sophisticated word instead – clairvoyant – it describes pretty much the same concept. “Do you think I’m a clairvoyant or what?”

NEW! Serendipity  – personally I love this word – and you’d use it to describe an event which is a result of a very, very big, almost impossible coincidence that has a very happy ending. A typical example would be two people meeting each other against all odds and finding out that they were almost destined to meet.

NEW! Seismic shift   – this English collocation will come in really handy when describing a massive, fundamental change: “There’s been a seismic shift in the government’s stance in relation to the water charges – believe it or not, but they’ve been abolished which nobody could see coming!”

NEW! Pivotal role   – when you want to describe something or someone playing a central role in the process, this is exactly the kind of expression to use: “My master’s degree in IT played a pivotal role in the recruitment process – without it I wouldn’t have been hired.”

NEW!  Obnoxious  behavior – this word is used to described something extremely unpleasant – typically other people’s behavior or their qualities. Here’s a good example: “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand Allison’s obnoxious behavior so I end up avoiding her company altogether.”

NEW!  Ludicrous  – have you ever experienced a situation that is absurd to the point of being funny? Imagine, for instance, being pulled over by the cops, getting checked for alcohol in your breath and actually being tested positive despite the fact you hadn’t been drinking before… It would be ludicrous simply because it would be very last thing you’d ever expect and if you’re a person endowed with a sense of humor you’d be able to laugh about it and demand a second opinion on the basis of the breathalyzer being wrong!

Exhilarating experience – super-exciting experience such as a parachute jump, for example.

Ad nauseam – when some activity is repeated all over and over again till you’re sick of it, you can use this phrase to describe how you feel about it. For example – “I’ve tried to explain it to him ad nauseam but he just doesn’t understand what I’m talking about…”

Atrocious crime – especially vicious and cruel crime resulting in a number of victims.

Begging and cajoling – when you’re trying to convince someone to change their mind and they finally give in, you can say that “After plenty of begging and cajoling I finally managed to convince my mom to allow me to go to the trip to Utah.”

Detrimental effect – a bad, negative effect.

Eliminate from the equation – exclude something from a number of factors to be considered in relation to the main issue. Example: “When talking about day-to-day stress management, it’s important to eliminate unnecessary distractions from the equation so that you can be more focused on your tasks at hand.”

Endowed with the ability – When someone or something is endowed with the ability, it simply means they possess (have) this particular ability. “All human beings are endowed with the ability to love and take care of others.”

Evoke emotions – when something makes us feel a certain way. For example – “Hard rock evokes depressive emotions whereas upbeat, cheerful music lifts up our mood.”

Gain momentum – normally used in business English to describe economical processes that require some time to reach their full potential. A good example would be a start-up business that demands a lot of investment and effort to establish, but when it’s gained momentum, it practically starts to run itself.

Heinous crime – especially gross and unhuman crime.

Unilateral decision – decision made by only one person or group of people without taking others’ opinion into consideration. This phrase was used a lot during the financial crisis a few years ago in Ireland (it’s where I live so that’s why I’m using the example of Ireland!) when the government decided to guarantee bank losses without taking into account the opinion of other political parties.

Hinder communication – to prevent communication. The word “hinder” can be used pretty much as a substitute to the word “prevent” in any context!

Conditions that exacerbate … – this phrase is most commonly used in medical context when speaking about diseases that may get worse because of certain factors. Here’s a good example – “Are you aware that you work in conditions that may exacerbate your asthma? You should change your job immediately!”

Illicit affairs – “illicit” simply means “illegal” – so when you hear the word “illicit” used in combination with words such as “affairs”, it means that some criminal, unlawful activities are being discussed.

Oblivious to – totally unaware of something. When a person is going through a really intense emotional suffering, they may become oblivious to their surroundings and people around them at times. Also, when you’re simply deep in your thoughts, you may become temporarily oblivious to what’s going on around you.

Ambiguous situation – a situation that can be interpreted in two ways; it’s when there’s no clear-cut answer to a particular problem. In sports, for example, judges’ decisions are sometimes disputed but it’s all because the situation during a game is so ambiguous that it’s almost impossible to ascertain (find out) the truth. Also, when someone sends you an e-mail, for example, and you can interpret their instructions in many ways, you can say that the instructions are ambiguous and you can’t really take action in case you get it wrong.

Eloquent – fluent, someone who has a way with words. If you can speak fluent English and you’re really good at it, you can say you’re an eloquent English speaker. Just bear in mind – you have to be REALLY good at it to be considered eloquent – not every native English speaker is eloquent, for that matter.

Media- perpetuated – when certain subject is being constantly mentioned in media – Internet, newspapers, radio and TV – it’s said that it’s “media-perpetuated”. Let’s say, for example, the current obsession with dieting and slimming has led to an increasing number of eating disorders among teenagers, and it’s strongly believed it’s a direct result of the media-perpetuated images of skinny models and celebrities.

Transcends boundaries – surpasses, goes beyond certain limits. Love and compassion transcends any racial and religious boundaries – meaning that the concepts of love and compassion don’t choose people based on their origin and religious beliefs.

He’s adamant that… – he insists that… You can use this sophisticated English word when describing a 100% certainty of someone or yourself. “He’s adamant that the goods were sent out to the customer.”

Unsolicited advice – advice that hasn’t been asked for. If someone is telling you what to do without you having asked them for advice, you can say it’s unsolicited advice.

Amalgamate the data – you can use this expression when you’re putting some figures together. For example, when you’re doing a stock take of inventory and then all those figures have to be combined, you can say that you’re going to amalgamate the data so you won’t be able to attend to other work-related duties. Personally I love this English sophisticated word because it originates from the noun “amalgam” which means “ an alloy of mercury with another metal” and I think it’s got a unique vibe to it!

Irrevocably linked – you can say that something’s irrevocably linked when it can’t be undone, when it can’t be taken apart. This English sophisticated collocation is best used in figurative speech – for example: “The tobacco trade and government tax income are irrevocably linked and I simply don’t believe the State wants us to quit smoking for good.”

Subliminal aversion to – subconscious (you’re not even aware of it) disgust towards something.

Excruciating pain – very intense, strong pain.

Perseverance is the key to success – “perseverance” describes the quality of someone who’s being very persistent and hard-working.

Good luck with your future endeavors – good luck with your future attempts to achieve something, to achieve goals etc.

Paramount – very, very important, top-priority, of the utmost importance. “It’s paramount that you log out of the system first before shutting the PC down or else all the data will be lost!”

Don’t exert yourself too much – don’t put too much pressure on yourself, don’t work too hard. You can say this kind of thing to a friend of yours who’s just been sick and has just returned back to work, for example.

Reciprocal – something that goes both ways; mutual. If someone tells you “It was nice meeting you!”, you can say – “Reciprocal!” – which means the experience of you meeting them was also pleasant. Of course, it’s going to sound very smart, but it’s going to be correct nonetheless. Another use of this word – “ reciprocal links ” – it’s used among website owners and bloggers to describe links pointing to each other’s websites.

Fluctuations – this economy related English word describes a process that changes over time – especially price changes. Here’s an example: “Forex traders make money by trading on currency price fluctuations”. It can be also used in other contexts; I, for example, like to describe the changing English fluency (one day you can speak fluently, the next day it’s gone down followed by another day of good fluency) with this word – “ English fluency fluctuations “.

Adjacent  street – if you describe a street using the word “adjacent”, it simply means that the street in question meets another street you were talking about previously; basically when two streets meet at an angle, they’re called “adjacent streets”. A simpler way to explain the same thing would be by saying that the two streets meet – but you can use this fancy word just as well.

Common denominator – strictly speaking, this is a maths term and it’s used when operating with fractions. In everyday English speech though, this fancy expression containing the word “denominator” can be used when referring to common traits in people and common characteristics in pretty much anything. Here’s an example: “All rich and powerful people share the same common denominator – they know exactly what they want in life and they aren’t afraid of taking risks.”

Dispel a stereotype – sounds really smart, doesn’t it? Here’s how the same expression would sound using simpler English words – “bust a myth”. Now you start getting the idea, don’t you? Basically dispelling a stereotype means to prove that a certain belief is wrong, for example – the typical stereotype of blonde women being stupid, or foreign English speakers being bad at understanding English just because their speech isn’t fluent.

Elaborate on something – this sophisticated English word can be used to describe the process of providing more details on something. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, you’re sitting in a class and your teacher wants you to explain a particular concept. Here’s what he’d say: “Alright, but now could you elaborate on it, please?” Just please bear in mind that the word “elaborate” can be pronounced in two different ways – depending on whether it’s an adjective or a verb. In this case it’s a verb, so its pronunciation is as follows: [ɪˈlæbərəit] – pay a particular attention to the last syllable which is pronounced as in the word “ATE”.

Gravitate towards – does this word have anything to do with Earth’s gravitation? Well, yes and no! No, because it’s not about physics, and yes, because it does in fact entail a movement in a certain direction due to a certain level of attraction by something. Basically you can use it when talking about your future plans and explaining what you are most likely to do – in other words, what attracts you, what you are gravitating towards. And here comes an example: “Well, even though I graduated as an engineer, I’m gravitating towards more academic approach – something like a university lecturer.”

Predict all eventualities – “eventuality” is just a fancy word for “possibility”, so to predict all eventualities means to predict all possibilities, all possible outcomes of a certain event. Most likely you’d be using this expression to say that it’s not really possible to predict all eventualities and you’ll always end up with taking a certain amount of risk no matter what you do.

Now, this list is by no means an exhaustive list of all sophisticated English vocabulary that you may ever need.

It’s a good place to start, however, and you can rest assured that all these words are actually used in media and also in conversations by real English speaking people unlike some other obscure words that 99.9% of English speaking people have NEVER heard.

So basically this list has been created based upon my own years’ long experience communicating with English speaking people at work and various institutions as well as consuming plenty of written English material.

P.S. Are you serious about your spoken English improvement? Check out my English Harmony System HERE!

P.S. Are you serious about your spoken English improvement? Check out the English Harmony System HERE!

I know many of these words, but the challenge is to use these phrases in right context in practice. That’s why practicing these words are utmost important.

i was looking for fancy words but i somehow already knew what 80% of this meant, might be that i read too much and im dumb or im actually alot less dumber than i thought lol

searches a page about exquisite vocabulary, comments agains exquisite vocabulary

I mean, i wouldn’t think i would use it on a day to day basis, but for elaborating your writing and for your stories i think that’s interesting to know, because if not, it could get boring or maybe you would have a bunch of overused words.

Thank you for your sophisticated vocabulary list. It is quite instrumental for all non-native speakers including me to improve my English skills. And then, I admire your effort to learn English.

Agreed very good article.

what other word for sophisticated

I suggest NOT using that exquisite vocabulary, keep it simple. I’ve been there in multiple locations and native English speakers don’t have a clue what that bunch of words mean.

thanks, I do hope that with this, my vocabulary can gain momentum!

No. Adjacent would not be at all applicable to parallel whatsoever. Adjacent means to be connected at some point. His explanation is accurate.

May I suggest adding immaculate, it means perfect or without flaw. I use it in America often and in my opinion sounds sophisticated.

It is actually thank you, I guess you have to learn spellings too

Noone gives a damn, for natives like us its not surprising

My bad, I wasn’t able to view it since the last 2 weeks. Rest assured though, that I will consider it in my reading. THANKS SO MUCH!

Thank you for your appreciation. Have you checked also the resources available on English Harmony System as well ?

I respect your effort, although I request for definitions for the new words please. Thank you for the list!

very good but not wholely correct Illicit would be more immoral rather than illegal – an illicit affair would be something you shouldn’t really do – like have an affair, not necessarily illegal but immoral adjacent literally translates as next to so would refer to roads running parallel to each other not crossing or to a road running past a park. – the adjacent roads were either side of the park – the road were adjacent to the park.

how can I get this vocabulary list

Hi Robby, these are some of the best and most heard words/phrases now a days..keep up the good work man.. waiting for more from you

On further examination I knew all of these words.

This is a fairly simple list. Knew all but one or two.

These word are very helpful to my IELTS test. Thanks a lot.

You are welcome! Happy to hear that!

Happy to hear that! Good luck for the exams!

These are really helpful thankyou

That’s gonna be real helpful for my igcse exams

You’re welcome, I’m glad you like it! 😉

Thankiew for these remarkable bombastic vocabulary!

Thanks Diana for the feedback, much appreciated!

Introduction to College Writing

Simple vs. sophisticated writing.

Simple and sophisticated writing differ in these aspects:

• depth of thought and insight into the issue – Sophisticated writing deals with complicated issues, may offer a variety of insights or viewpoints, and analyzes and evaluates those viewpoints. On the other hand, simple writing deals with less complex/more obvious issues, offers mainly one viewpoint into the issue, and offers more information than analysis.
• idea development in the support – Sophisticated writing develops ideas with fuller details and specifics than simple writing.
• type of source used in the support – Sophisticated writing mainly uses sources written for professionals in the field of inquiry (e.g., an engineering journal), while simple writing mainly uses sources written for the general public (e.g., Popular Mechanics).
• integration of source information – Sophisticated writers summarize and paraphrase source information in research essays, and try to “fit” all information together seamlessly, no matter what the source. Sophisticated writers weave source information with their own insights (while carefully citing source information). Writers on a simpler level tend to use large amounts of direct quotation with less personal insight and commentary.

Realize, though, that the distinction is not quite as simple as described above. A writer may create a sophisticated piece of writing about a seemingly simple, obvious topic. Sophistication comes in the way the writer thinks about and treats the topic. Despite what many people think, language use—flowery, complicated language—is not the primary way to distinguish simple from sophisticated writing. All writing, simple and sophisticated alike, should aim for clear, direct language. The sophisticated writer simply uses that clear language in a more creative or unique way.

Think of simple vs. sophisticated writing by using a food/cooking analogy.

Both types of writing start with the same few ingredients (main idea, supporting ideas, language).

Simple writing tends to use these ingredients in a traditional way, over and over again. And this is fine, as long as the combination results in a clear, direct product, such as a simple meal .

Sophisticated writing , on the other hand, tends to add more ingredients and/or use ingredients in unusual ways, creating a fuller variety of taste, such as in a complex recipe or a large meal with many choices.

Most writers start out on a relatively simple level and progress—so realize that the distinction between simple and sophisticated writing is not intended to scare you! It’s simply intended to help you become more aware of the goal to work toward. Greater sophistication, in writing as well as cooking, comes with practice, practice, practice.

• Simple vs. Sophisticated Writing. Authored by : Susan Oaks. Provided by : Empire State College, SUNY OER Services. Project : College Writing. License : CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial
• image of tomatoes in bowl. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/tomatoes-vegetables-food-frisch-320860/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved
• image of tomatoes, cheese, basil simple meal. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/tomatoes-tomato-mozzarella-basil-1580273/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved
• image of tomatoes and multiple ingredients in casserole sophisticated meal. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/eat-bless-you-casserole-vegetables-3387564/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved
• image of man writing with laptop. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/business-man-laptop-work-outdoor-2452808/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved

Have you ever read a report, article, or book, and wished that your writing sounded as good? All writers feel as though what they write is not nearly as good as works written by someone else. However, a few stylistic aspects set the great writers apart from the amateurs.

The stylistic aspects we are talking about are easy to learn. It is just learning alternatives to the way you may write now. Who knows what makes these styles sophisticated over any other way of writing; but in today's world, they are considered the better, more sophisticated way of writing, so it only benefits you to use them.

The first stylistic aspect of your writing that will make it sound more sophisticated is in your sentence structure. Two common structures that are attributed to amateur writers are in examples listed below:

Running to the store, she tripped and fell over a rock.

As she ran to the store, she tripped and fell over a rock.

Both the "as" and the "ing" construction are grammatically correct; however, they are constructions that are known to be used by newer, less experienced writers. The problem with using these is that they are lazy. Although they show action, they can be a shortcut used by the writer to show action as quickly and easily as possible, or they can be an unneeded distraction from the action that is taking place. Either way, they weaken your writing.

Use an alternative to these constructions, such as:

She tripped and fell over a rock on her way to the store.

Since "tripped" and "fell" are the verbs in this sentence, it is important to construct the sentence to show this. "On her way to the store" is simply what she was doing when she tripped and fell. It is not the action.

Another way to avoid looking like an amateur is to avoid using clichés. Clichés are expressions that are commonly used when speaking. For example: "Living life in the fast lane," or "not being worth a plugged nickel" are both worn-out clichés. They are used so often, they no longer mean anything when you use them in your writing. They are not adequate descriptions, and they do not show your readers anything except that you do not know how to be original.

Beware of other clichés that are not only over-used, they do not make any sense anyway. Editors and publishers particularly get tired of expressions such as "she tossed her head." When is the last time you saw anyone toss his or her head? How far did they toss it? While this may sound good to you as the writer, and you may think you are being clever, your descriptions should never rely on clichés or figures of speech that describe an impossible action.

Do not create clichéd characters, either. The computer geek with the pocket protector is a stereotype. He is clichéd. The characters that you create are individuals . Do not follow stereotypes or clichés when you create them. Instead, make them three-dimensional beings that are believable and unique. If you resort to using stereotypes and clichés, your characters will seem more like cartoon characters or bad parodies that are uninteresting and unbelievable. Nothing will turn your reader off more quickly than that.

There are so many clichés in the English language that it is impossible never to use one. You may find yourself in a position where you need to use a cliché to adequately describe a situation. However, before you just type out the cliché, try altering it a bit. Make it less familiar to the reader and tailor it to the situation you need it for. Look at the example below.

The fog was thicker than pea soup that night.

The fog was thicker than watered-down pea soup that night.

When we discuss dialogue avoid using "-ly" adverbs with your speaker attributions. These adverbs serve to tell the reader how something was said, but your dialogue and descriptions should show, instead. It is also easy for newer writers to use these adverbs in sentences to show action, as in the example below.

Angrily she set her coat on the couch.

This may be okay in a first draft because you convey the action taking place, but when you edit, weed out these adverbs. They tell. They do not show.

Try this instead:

She slung her coat onto the couch.

In the first example, the verb is weak and does little to show action, so the writer added an "-ly" adverb to try to strengthen it. However, it only weakened it even more. When you find yourself in a position where you feel that you need to use an "-ly" adverb, try using a stronger verb instead.

Of course, there are always exceptions. If using an "-ly" adverb is the only way that you can completely describe the action taking place, and you are using a strong verb already, then it is not unacceptable or unprofessional to use an adverb.

Nobody is going to tell you to quit using "-ly" adverbs altogether. What experts will tell you is that amateur writers use them frequently. Weed out as many as you can and replace them with stronger verbs. Keep your writing strong. Make sure it shows the action, and make sure you are not whimping out on showing action by using "shortcuts." The more you write using proper mechanics and advanced stylistic techniques, the less you will be inclined to make amateur mistakes. Before you know it, everything you write will come out sounding better than your best piece does right now.

Style is simply defined as the manner of "voice" that a writer uses to tell the audience what is going on. Style is evident in syntax and diction, as well as figures of speech, such as metaphors. With fiction, the style you use may be influenced by the era in which the story takes place, the setting, or the education or background of your narrator or characters.

In non-fiction and journalism, style may be partially dictated by style guides. Style guides give examples of acceptable uses of words, proper spellings, punctuation, and typography to be used when preparing work for publication. Writers use style guides, as do copy editors and proofreaders to ensure factual accuracy and consistency.

Making sure that your style is consistent throughout a body of work lends to the sophistication of your writing. If you have a character who talks with a southern twang early in the book, make sure it carries throughout the book. On the other hand, if you spell "judgement" (British English) in one place in a body of work, make sure you do not spell it as "judgment" (American English) later on. You can always create a style sheet to make note of things like this, so you do not forget when creating longer pieces or sequels.

A list of style guides is included below for your reference:

AIP Style Manual: For Guidance in Writing, Editing, and Preparing Physics

The AMA Style Guide for Business Writing

The AMS Author Handbook (Mathematics) Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors ( Medical editing and proofreading) The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual (Journalism, non-fiction, and fiction as well) Geowriting: A Guide to Writing, Editing, and Printing in Earth Science

The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (Law) The Chicago Manual of Style (Non-fiction, fiction) Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers The ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors A Style Manual for Citing Microform and Nonprint Media

Other Ways to Make Your Writing More Sophisticated

• Avoid using too many exclamation points to show emotion. It makes you seem as though you are insecure with the strength of your dialogue.
• Avoid using italics to put emphasis on words. They are not needed if your dialogue is strong.
• Avoid flowery, poetic figures of speech. Oftentimes, this pulls the reader out of the story. Use clear descriptions that apply to the scene. There is no need to try to impress anyone with your poetic ability unless you are writing poetry.
• Avoid a lot of profanity. Amateur writers use profanity for shock value and sophistication, but using it does not achieve either. If your character swears a lot, just make sure it fits with the scene. Otherwise, one profane word in a book has a lot more effect than a dozen on each page.

Substitutions and Poor Phrasing

There are hundreds of phrases that can enhance your writing, but sometimes writers err on the side of "wordiness." They use phrases they believe sound more formal, more interesting, or more unusual than common alternatives. Unfortunately, if these phrases are using more words than needed to get the point across, they just end up cluttering the sentence. Below are several examples of poor phrasing, along with better alternatives.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, suggested sophisticated words for essays.

I'm working on my college application essays and I want to make sure my vocabulary is on point. Can anyone suggest some sophisticated words to use in essays that could make them stand out while staying authentic?

Incorporating sophisticated vocabulary can definitely enhance your essays, but remember to prioritize clarity and authenticity. Your writing should still reflect your own voice and experiences. That being said, here are some words you might consider using:

1. Ephemeral: short-lived; temporary

2. Serendipity: the phenomenon of finding valuable things not sought for

3. Ineffable: too great or extreme to be expressed in words

4. Disenfranchised: Deprived of the right to vote or other privileges

5. Alacrity: cheerful willingness; eagerness

6. Venerable: accorded a great deal of respect due to age, wisdom, or character

7. Insidious: proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects

8. Paradox: a statement or situation that seems contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth

9. Dichotomy: a division or contrast between two things that are opposed or entirely different

10. Ubiquitous: present, appearing, or found everywhere

When using these words or any others, make sure you thoroughly understand their meaning and proper usage. Overusing sophisticated words or using them inappropriately can detract from your essay, making it feel forced or pretentious. Additionally, different words may be more or less effective depending on the context of your essay. Prioritize how well they fit into your personal narrative and the overall message you want to convey.

And remember, there are thousands of words you can use to make your essays more sophisticated and communicate your ideas more effectively. The more you read—especially reputable publications like the New York Times or classic novels—the more you will expand your vocabulary.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Sophisticated language use

Sophisticated language use is essential for achieving a higher band score in the IELTS exam. Here are some advanced vocabulary and language features that can help you showcase a more sophisticated level of English:

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs :

Incorporate idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs to add depth to your language. For example, "hit the nail on the head" (to be exactly right) or "set off" (to start a journey).

Collocations :

Use natural word combinations that native speakers commonly use. For instance, "take into account" (consider), "a wide array of" (a variety of), "significant impact" (important influence).

Figurative Language :

Include metaphors, similes, and personification to create vivid imagery. For example, "His words were a soothing balm for her wounded soul."

Complex Sentence Structures :

Utilize subordinate clauses, relative clauses, and other sentence structures to show a higher level of syntactic complexity. For instance, "Despite the heavy rain, they decided to proceed with the outdoor event, which had been meticulously planned."

Advanced Adjectives and Adverbs :

Employ descriptive words and adverbs to enhance your writing and speaking. For example, "impeccable," "intriguingly," "profoundly," "exquisite."

Formal Register :

Use a formal tone and academic language appropriate for essays and reports. Avoid colloquialisms and slang.

Precision in Vocabulary :

Select words that precisely convey your intended meaning. Consider using specific nouns and verbs instead of general ones.

Cohesion and Coherence :

Organize your ideas logically and use linking words to connect sentences and paragraphs. This will make your writing coherent and easier to follow.

Employ hedging expressions to show a nuanced understanding of a topic, such as "it could be argued that," "studies suggest that," "there is evidence to support."

Succinctness :

Aim for conciseness in your writing and speaking while still expressing ideas effectively.

Euphemisms :

Use mild or indirect expressions to discuss sensitive or unpleasant topics. For example, "passed away" instead of "died," or "economically disadvantaged" instead of "poor."

Causal Language :

Demonstrate an understanding of cause and effect relationships using phrases like "as a result," "due to," "consequently," and "therefore."

Emotive Language :

Employ words and phrases that evoke emotions and create a strong impact on the reader or listener. For instance, "heart-wrenching," "thrilling," "compelling."

Qualifying Statements :

Show a nuanced understanding of complex issues by using qualifiers like "partially," "to some extent," "in some cases," or "subject to change."

Rhetorical Devices :

Skillfully use rhetorical devices like parallelism, repetition, and rhetorical questions to persuade and engage the audience. For example, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" (John F. Kennedy).

Idiomatic Expressions :

Incorporate idioms and expressions that are unique to the English language to add flair and authenticity to your communication. Examples include "break a leg" (good luck), "hit the nail on the head" (correct), and "the ball is in your court" (your turn to act).

Use metaphors, similes, and personification to create vivid and imaginative descriptions. For instance, "Her smile was a ray of sunshine," or "The city never sleeps."

Subjunctive Mood :

Demonstrate advanced grammar skills by using the subjunctive mood to express wishes, suggestions, or hypothetical situations. For example, "I wish that he were here" or "It's essential that she be on time."

Irony and Satire :

Employ irony and satire to convey a message indirectly, often with humor or sarcasm. This requires a deep understanding of cultural references and context. For example, "Sure, I love waking up early on weekends," said no one ever.

Formal Language Register :

Display the ability to use appropriate formal language in academic or professional contexts. Avoid contractions (e.g., can't, won't), colloquialisms, and slang. Instead, opt for more formal alternatives.

Remember to practice incorporating these sophisticated language features into your English communication regularly. Reading books, articles, and academic texts can also help expose you to advanced vocabulary and language structures. With consistent effort and practice, you can improve your language skills and excel in the IELTS exam. Good luck!

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127 big fancy words to sound smart and boost your eloquence

Karolina Assi

Everyone wants to sound smart and come across as someone that can express their thoughts eloquently. And even though you might have this fantastic ability in your native language, you may feel limited doing this in English if you’re beginning your journey in expanding your vocabulary with unusual or rarer words.

Fortunately, the English language has thousands of big words that will make you sound instantly more eloquent and knowledgeable.

These words will help you express yourself in a more elegant way by substituting the basic, everyday words with their more fancy synonyms. Learning those “big” words in English is also a great way to impress those around you - whether it’s at school, at work, or during your next date.

To help you take your English vocabulary to the next level, we’re prepared a list of 120+ big words to sound smart, with their meaning and an example of how to use them in context.

The do’s and don'ts of using big words in English

Throwing in a few fancy words into your conversations or monologue is a good idea to sound more eloquent and impress everyone around you.

It’s also a great way to sound smart when you don’t know what to say on a specific topic but want to make a good impression and appear more knowledgeable than you are (like this English student during his literature class ).

But there’s a fine line between using fancy words that truly make you sound eloquent and those that make you sound like you’re trying too hard.

Sometimes, using big words to sound smart may backfire, especially if you don’t really know what they mean. Then, you may end up saying something that makes no sense and leaving everyone in the room perplexed. Plus, using complex words you don’t understand can make you sound pompous - so tread the line between careful and carefree.

Use them only if you truly understand their meaning and know what context to use them in. But don’t use them mindlessly as it will result in an opposite effect to what you intended.

Aside from learning those fancy words and their meaning, another challenge lies in their pronunciation. If you choose those big words that are also hard to pronounce , like “epitome” or “niche,” you might end up saying something that makes everyone laugh (it wouldn’t be such a bad scenario!).

The point is: if you’re going to use fancy words to sound smart, learn their meaning, understand how to use them in context, and practice their pronunciation first.

Big words to sound smart and their meaning

The smartest way of sounding more eloquent when expressing yourself in English is to change basic, everyday words for their fancier versions. For instance, instead of saying “very big,” say “massive.” Instead of saying “detailed.” say “granular,” and instead of saying “not interesting,” say “banal.”

See? Using the word “granular” in a sentence will inevitably add more elegance to your speech and make you appear more fluent and eloquent.

The words we’ve chosen to include in the tables below follow this exact principle. Most of them are just a fancier version of a basic, simple word you’d normally use. Others are words used in a professional or academic setting that simply add more articulacy to your statement.

Fancy words you can use at work

The question isn’t whether you should learn a couple of fancy words you can use at work to impress your boss and coworkers. The question is, how do you use them without coming across as a pompous know-it-all, irritating everyone around you?

Well, it’s all about using them wisely. Don’t cram 10 fancy words into a simple sentence just to sound smarter. Only use them when they help you get your message across. If they don’t bring any value to your sentence, simply don’t use them.

In other words - don’t force it! Be natural.

With that said, here are some big words you can use at work.

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Clever words you might use academically

The academic setting does not only encourage you to sound smart. It forces you to. To get higher grades and convince your professors of your knowledge and eloquence, you need to elevate your vocabulary.

Whether it’s in written or spoken assignments, these words will help you express yourself in a more intelligent and elegant way while impressing your colleagues and professors.

Big interesting words you might use socially

Being the smartest person among your friends is surely a great boost for your ego. It can help you gain their approval, receive compliments, and maybe even get a date or two while hanging out at the bar with your friends.

But the other side of the coin is that using overly sophisticated words in a casual, social setting can make you appear pretentious and out of place. That’s why you need to be careful and not overdo it! If you do, you might only end up humiliating yourself, and that’s a terrible place to be in.

Here are 20+ big words in English you can use in social situations with their meaning and an example of a sentence you could say.

Impressive words you might use romantically

Even if you’re not a very romantic person, some occasions require a bit of romanticism. Using elegant words in your expressions of love and affection can make your romantic conversations and gestures more special and memorable.

Still, don’t use big words if you don’t mean them! You should always be sincere and genuine in your expressions. Remember that words hold tremendous power in inspiring emotions in those who receive them.

With that said, here are 30 big words you can use in a romantic setting to express your love and affection for your significant other or to take your relationship with the person you’re currently dating to the next level (congrats!).

Sophisticated words you might use when discussing art and literature

Are you an art or literature? These two areas often require eloquent vocabulary to describe them. At least, that is the sort of language that people expect to hear from someone who’s an avid reader and art connoisseur.

You might want to express how the allegory in that poem made you feel or the way the plot of the book has enthralled you to keep reading but lack the right words to do it. If so, here’s a list of 20+ words you can use to talk about art and literature in different contexts.

Fancy words you might use when talking about your hobbies

When talking about our hobbies, we want to come across as more knowledgeable than others. After all, they’re our special interests, and we naturally possess a greater deal of expertise in these areas.

Whether you’re into literature, movies, or sports, here are some fancy words you can use to describe your interests.

Make the Thesaurus your new best friend

In this article, we’ve only covered 126 big words. Understandably, we can’t include all the fancy words you might need in one article. There are simply too many!

But luckily, there’s a free online tool you can use to find the synonyms of everyday words to expand your vocabulary and make yourself sound smarter.

Can you take a guess?

That’s right - it’s the online Thesaurus . You’ve surely heard about it from your English teacher, but in case you haven’t, Thesaurus is a dictionary of synonyms and related concepts. It’s a great way to find synonyms of different words to spice up your oral or written statements and avoid repeating the same old boring words time and time again.

Choose your words wisely

Whether you’re using simple, everyday words in casual conversations or those big, fancy words in a professional or academic environment, remember one thing: words have power.

They’re spells that you cast (there’s a reason why it’s called “spelling”) onto yourself and those who you speak them to. The words you speak inspire emotions and shape how other people perceive you. But they also influence your own emotions and shape how you perceive yourself.

So choose them wisely.

Learn more about the fascinating English language on our English language blog here.

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Speaking, writing and reading are integral to everyday life, where language is the primary tool for expression and communication. Studying how people use language – what words and phrases they unconsciously choose and combine – can help us better understand ourselves and why we behave the way we do.

Linguistics scholars seek to determine what is unique and universal about the language we use, how it is acquired and the ways it changes over time. They consider language as a cultural, social and psychological phenomenon.

“Understanding why and how languages differ tells about the range of what is human,” said Dan Jurafsky , the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor in Humanities and chair of the Department of Linguistics in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford . “Discovering what’s universal about languages can help us understand the core of our humanity.”

The stories below represent some of the ways linguists have investigated many aspects of language, including its semantics and syntax, phonetics and phonology, and its social, psychological and computational aspects.

Understanding stereotypes

Stanford linguists and psychologists study how language is interpreted by people. Even the slightest differences in language use can correspond with biased beliefs of the speakers, according to research.

One study showed that a relatively harmless sentence, such as “girls are as good as boys at math,” can subtly perpetuate sexist stereotypes. Because of the statement’s grammatical structure, it implies that being good at math is more common or natural for boys than girls, the researchers said.

Language can play a big role in how we and others perceive the world, and linguists work to discover what words and phrases can influence us, unknowingly.

How well-meaning statements can spread stereotypes unintentionally

New Stanford research shows that sentences that frame one gender as the standard for the other can unintentionally perpetuate biases.

Algorithms reveal changes in stereotypes

New Stanford research shows that, over the past century, linguistic changes in gender and ethnic stereotypes correlated with major social movements and demographic changes in the U.S. Census data.

Exploring what an interruption is in conversation

Stanford doctoral candidate Katherine Hilton found that people perceive interruptions in conversation differently, and those perceptions differ depending on the listener’s own conversational style as well as gender.

Cops speak less respectfully to black community members

Professors Jennifer Eberhardt and Dan Jurafsky, along with other Stanford researchers, detected racial disparities in police officers’ speech after analyzing more than 100 hours of body camera footage from Oakland Police.

How other languages inform our own

People speak roughly 7,000 languages worldwide. Although there is a lot in common among languages, each one is unique, both in its structure and in the way it reflects the culture of the people who speak it.

Jurafsky said it’s important to study languages other than our own and how they develop over time because it can help scholars understand what lies at the foundation of humans’ unique way of communicating with one another.

“All this research can help us discover what it means to be human,” Jurafsky said.

Stanford PhD student documents indigenous language of Papua New Guinea

Fifth-year PhD student Kate Lindsey recently returned to the United States after a year of documenting an obscure language indigenous to the South Pacific nation.

Students explore Esperanto across Europe

In a research project spanning eight countries, two Stanford students search for Esperanto, a constructed language, against the backdrop of European populism.

Chris Manning: How computers are learning to understand language​

A computer scientist discusses the evolution of computational linguistics and where it’s headed next.

Stanford research explores novel perspectives on the evolution of Spanish

Using digital tools and literature to explore the evolution of the Spanish language, Stanford researcher Cuauhtémoc García-García reveals a new historical perspective on linguistic changes in Latin America and Spain.

Language as a lens into behavior

Linguists analyze how certain speech patterns correspond to particular behaviors, including how language can impact people’s buying decisions or influence their social media use.

For example, in one research paper, a group of Stanford researchers examined the differences in how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online to better understand how a polarization of beliefs can occur on social media.

“We live in a very polarized time,” Jurafsky said. “Understanding what different groups of people say and why is the first step in determining how we can help bring people together.”

Analyzing the tweets of Republicans and Democrats

New research by Dora Demszky and colleagues examined how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online in an attempt to understand how polarization of beliefs occurs on social media.

Examining bilingual behavior of children at Texas preschool

A Stanford senior studied a group of bilingual children at a Spanish immersion preschool in Texas to understand how they distinguished between their two languages.

Predicting sales of online products from advertising language

Stanford linguist Dan Jurafsky and colleagues have found that products in Japan sell better if their advertising includes polite language and words that invoke cultural traditions or authority.

Language can help the elderly cope with the challenges of aging, says Stanford professor

By examining conversations of elderly Japanese women, linguist Yoshiko Matsumoto uncovers language techniques that help people move past traumatic events and regain a sense of normalcy.

Words, Phrases, and Arguments to Use in Persuasive Writing

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• Writing Research Papers
• Writing Essays
• English Grammar
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Persuasive writing is tough for kids to get used to, especially if they’re not argumentative by nature. A few tools and shortcuts can help your child learn how to write well enough to convince someone (even you!) to change his mind about an issue that really matters to him or her.

Persuasive Strategies and Devices

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There are common persuasion techniques sometimes referred to as persuasive devices that can be used to back up an argument in writing . Knowing the names of the strategies and how they work can make it easier to remember them when it’s time to write. The five common persuasive strategies are:

• Pathos: Pathos involves using emotional language that is designed to draw the reader in and make them feel for you. For example: "If my allowance isn’t increased, I won’t be able to go out with my friends and do everything they do."
• Big Names: The big names strategy involves using the names of experts or well-known people who support your position. For example: "Dad agrees that increasing my allowance will..."
• Research and Logos: These strategies involve using studies, data, charts , illustrations, and logic to back up her position and points. For example: "As you can see in the pie chart, at my age the average child’s allowance is..."
• Ethos: The ethos strategy of persuasion involves using language that shows that the writer is trustworthy and believable. For example: "As you may recall, I’ve always been willing to put ten percent of my allowance in my bank account, thus..."
• Kairos: This type of argument creates a sense of urgency about how this is the right moment to act. For example: "If I don’t get an increase in my allowance today, I will miss out on the chance to..."

Phrases and Words to Use in Persuasive Writing

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Once your child has figured out the techniques she can use in her persuasive writing, she will need to find some words and phrases that help her to be convincing. Using phrases like "I think" or "It seems that" don’t convey a sense of confidence in her position. Instead, she needs to use word combinations that show how much she believes in what she is writing.

• Phrases to Illustrate a Point: For instance, for example, specifically, in particular, namely, such as, like
• Phrases to Introduce an Example:  For example, thus, as an example, in the instance of, in other words, to illustrate
• Phrases to Make Suggestions:  To this end, keeping this in mind, for this purpose, therefore
• Phrases to Transition Between Information: Also, furthermore, additionally, besides that, equally as important, similarly, likewise, as a result, otherwise, however
• Phrases to Contrast Points: On the other hand, nevertheless, despite, in spite of, yet, conversely, instead, by the same token
• Phrases for Conclusions and Summarizing: With this in mind, as a result of, because of this, for this reason, so, due to, since, finally, in short, in conclusion

Other Handy Phrases for Persuasive Writing

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Some phrases don’t easily fit into a category and are just good for general use in persuasive writing. Here are a few to remember:

• I am certain. . .
• I’m sure that you can see that . . .
• What needs to be done/what we need to do. . .
• I ask you to think about . . .
• I am writing in order to . . .
• Nevertheless . . .
• On the other hand . . .
• It has come to my attention that . . .
• If you move forward with . . .
• Obviously. . .
• Surely . . .
• Regardless . . .
• If [ ] were to happen, then . . .
• This can be fixed by . . .
• Although it may seem...
• Convince Me: A Persuasive Writing Activity
• Ethos, Logos, Pathos for Persuasion
• How to Write a Persuasive Essay
• Writing Prompt (Composition)
• Persuasive Writing: For and Against
• Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay
• Use Social Media to Teach Ethos, Pathos and Logos
• AP English Exam: 101 Key Terms
• How to Write and Structure a Persuasive Speech
• What Is a Rhetorical Device? Definition, List, Examples
• What Is Expository Writing?
• Concession Used in Rhetoric
• Premise Definition and Examples in Arguments
• Persuasion and Rhetorical Definition
• 10 Tips for Understanding Philosophical Texts
• Preparing an Argument Essay: Exploring Both Sides of an Issue

115 Advanced English Words (Advanced Vocabulary List)

Below, you’ll find a list of 115 advanced words in English. I included examples so you can see the words in action.

Learning vocabulary is my hobby. It’s amazing how many meanings the word has, where it comes from, and what it represents in a cultural context . The more words you know, the more things and experiences you can name, which helps a lot if you want to become a writer.

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”― Markus Zusak

115 Advanced Words in English

I suggest you read them out loud and try to create your examples – this will dramatically increase retention and chances that you’ll use the word in conversation.

1. Construe (verb)

a) interpret (a word or action) in a particular way.

Example: From her arguments, I construe she wants to turn the world into a place of chaos.

2. Peruse (verb)

a) read (something), typically thoroughly or carefully. b) examine carefully or at length.

Example: He carefully perused the dusty bookshelves of the forgotten library.

3. Condone (verb)

a) accept (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive). b) approve or sanction (something), especially with reluctance.

Example: For the last time, she condoned their egregious mistake.

4. Latent (adjective)

(of a quality or state) existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed.

Example: There was a latent threat in his words.

5. Acrimonious (adjective)

(typically of speech or discussion) angry and bitter.

Example: She rejected his offer with an acrimonious sneer.

6. Indubitable (adjective)

impossible to doubt; unquestionable.

Example: His version of the account was indubitable.

7. Propitious (adjective)

giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable.

Example: He received a propitious message.

8. Tremulous (adjective)

a) shaking or quivering slightly b) timid; nervous.

Example: She was tremulous with fear.

9. Masquerade (noun/verb)

a) noun – a false show or pretense. b) verb – pretend to be someone one is not.

Example: The whole grand reception was a masquerade.

10. Salient (adjective)

most noticeable or important.

Example: The nose was the most salient feature of his face .

11. Embroil (verb)

involve (someone) deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation.

Example: She was embroiled in the scheme and there was no way out.

12. Languish (verb)

(of a person, animal, or plant) lose or lack vitality; grow weak.

Example: They just languished there in the sun.

13. Aspersion (noun)

an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something.

Example: They hurled aspersions as she came along.

14. Sedulous (adjective)

(of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence.

Example: He was the most sedulous worker we ever had.

15. Pertinacious (adjective)

holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action.

Example: This guy is so pertinacious. He’ll never let it go.

16. Encumber (verb)

restrict or impede (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult.

Example: The thought of homework encumbered her mind for the rest of the day.

17. Effusion (noun)

a) an instance of giving off something such as a liquid or gas. b) an act of talking or writing in an unrestrained or heartfelt way.

Example: There was an effusion of boisterous laughter as she cracked a joke.

18. Waffle (verb)

speak or write at length vaguely or trivially.

Example: Stop waffling about it or I’ll pull your tongue out!

19. Intrepid (adjective)

fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).

Example: He was the most intrepid warrior in the kingdom.

20. Mores (noun)

the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a society or community.

Example: By not observing the mores, she put herself in trouble.

21. Disheveled (adjective)

untidy, disarranged

Example: The disheveled room had dirty socks and empty beer bottles on the floor.

22. Sumptuous (adjective)

splendid and expensive-looking

Example: They were regaled with sumptuous gifts and splendid food.

23. Reciprocate (verb)

respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one.

Example: The Moroccan trader gave him some tea, so he felt he had to reciprocate by buying something.

24. Infallible (adjective)

incapable of making mistakes or being wrong.

Example: When it comes to matters of money, he’s infallible.

25. Dissident (noun/adjective)

a) a person who opposes the official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state. b) in opposition to official policy.

Example: The government forces clashed with dissidents on Friday.

26. Dispatch (verb/noun)

a) send off to a destination or for a purpose. b) the sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose.

Example: Troops were dispatched to quash the riot.

27. Intransigence (noun)

refusal to change one’s views or to agree about something.

Example: Her character was that of endless intransigence and pigheadedness.

28. Pastoral (adjective/noun)

a) (of land) used for the keeping or grazing of sheep or cattle. b) a work of literature portraying an idealized version of country life.

Example: The light pastoral depicted children strolling through meadows among the cattle.

29. Concede (verb)

a) admit or agree that something is true after first denying or resisting it. b) surrender or yield (a possession, right, or privilege).

Example: After repeated requests from the bureaucrats, he finally conceded.

30. Manifold (adjective)

many and various

Example: There are manifold forms of life in the universe.

31. Punitive (adjective)

inflicting or intended as punishment.

Example: Punitive actions were taken against the delinquents.

32. Nonplus (noun/verb)

a) surprise and confuse (someone) so much that they are unsure how to react. b) a state of being very surprised and confused.

Example: They were nonplused by the stupidity of his remark.

33. Salacious (adjective)

a) having or conveying an undue or indecent interest in sexual matters.

Example: The salacious dog had to be restrained.

34. Behoove (verb)

a) it is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something. b) it is appropriate or suitable; it befits.

Example: It behooves us to act like decent people in this situation.

35. Vulpine (adjective)

a) relating to a fox or foxes. b) crafty; cunning.

Example: Her vulpine ways made him confused and thirsty for answers.

36. Premise (noun)

a) a previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion.

Example: I will allow selling the property on the premise that you’ll pay the agreed price in cash.

37. Demise (noun)

a) a person’s death.

Example: The sudden fall led to his demise.

38. Megalomania (noun)

a) obsession with the exercise of power. b) delusion about one’s power or importance (typically as a symptom of manic or paranoid disorder).

Example: Megalomania was the worst, among his many negative qualities.

39. Asinine (adjective)

Example: Bringing a knife to a gunfight? You’re asinine.

40. Surfeit (noun/verb)

a) an excessive amount of something. b) cause (someone) to desire no more of something as a result of having consumed or done it to excess.

Example: They were surfeited with the chocolate pancakes.

41. Reputable (adjective)

having a good reputation.

Example: I’ll give you a recommendation for a reputable psychologist.

42. Oblique (adjective)

a) neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied line; slanting. b) not expressed or done directly.

Example: His oblique explanations didn’t bring any light to the matter.

43. Jeopardize (verb)

put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure.

Example: By divulging secret information, he jeopardized the whole operation.

44. Impudence (noun)

the quality of being impudent; impertinence.

Example: Her impudence was the main reason she wasn’t promoted.

45. Desolate (adjective/verb)

a) (of a place) uninhabited and giving an impression of bleak emptiness. b) make (a place) appear bleakly empty.

Example: Two weary cloaked travelers passed through this gloomy and desolate land.

46. Ballast (noun/verb)

a) heavy material, such as gravel, sand, or iron, placed in the bilge of a ship to ensure its stability. b) give stability to (a ship) by putting a heavy substance in its bilge.

Example: Drop the ballast or we’re going under!

47. Disperse (verb/adjective)

a) distribute or spread over a wide area. b) denoting a phase dispersed in another phase, as in a colloid.

Example: They dispersed the bug-killer over the field.

48. Faze (verb)

disturb or disconcert (someone).

Example: He wasn’t fazed by their threats.

49. Compunction (noun)

a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.

Example: She showed no compunction for the grisly crime she committed.

50. Complacency (noun)

a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.

Example: Dwelling in complacency is how you lose the endgame.

51. Caliber (noun)

a) the quality of someone’s character or the level of their ability. b) the internal diameter or bore of a gun barrel.

Example: They needed a person of high caliber to complete this assignment.

52. Entreat (verb)

ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something.

Example: She wouldn’t listen to entreating children surrounding her.

53. Dissection (noun)

a) the action of dissecting a body or plant to study its internal parts. b) a very detailed analysis of a text or idea.

Example: He dissected the paragraph with such precision that even the distinguished professors were amazed.

54. Antiquated (adjective)

old-fashioned or outdated.

Example: Stop using antiquated phrases.

55. Anguish (noun/verb)

a) severe mental or physical pain or suffering. b) be extremely distressed about something.

Example: To his anguish, she said they would never meet again.

56. Effeminate (adjective)

(of a man) having characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; unmanly.

Example: His effeminate nature was unattractive to most women.

57. Enmity (noun)

a state or feeling of active opposition or hostility.

Example: After the unfortunate event, a bitter feeling of enmity emerged between the two camps.

58. Epoch (noun)

a) a particular period in history or a person’s life. b) the beginning of a period in the history of someone or something.

Example: It was in the epoch of Socrates and Plato that ideas of the afterlife first took hold over the European psyche.

59. Intrinsic (adjective)

belonging naturally; essential.

Example: His talent for public speaking was an intrinsic part of his personality.

60. Quotidian (adjective)

of or occurring every day; daily.

Example: After struggling with the quotidian tasks, she was finally able to go to sleep.

61. Hazardous (adjective)

risky; dangerous.

Example: They started on their hazardous mission to Mars.

62. Peregrination (noun)

a journey, especially a long or meandering one.

Example: After many peregrinations, she finally settled in Jordan.

63. Attenuate (verb)

a) reduce the force, effect, or value of. b) reduce in thickness; make thin.

Example: Medical cannabis attenuated the pain of the cancer patient.

64. Unravel (verb)

untangle something.

Example: He was able to unravel the intricacies of the ancient language.

65. Behemoth (noun)

a) a huge or monstrous creature b) something enormous, especially a large and powerful organization.

Example: This tank was a behemoth, crushing everything in its way.

66. Impeccable (adjective)

by the highest standards; faultless.

Example: His reputation was impeccable among his peers.

67. Jaded (adjective)

a) bored or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something. b) physically tired; exhausted.

Example: The privileged kids were jaded with another birthday party.

68. Figurative (adjective)

departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical.

Example: He was a master of pithy, figurative expressions.

69. Relic (noun)

a) an object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical interest. b) a part of a deceased holy person’s body or belongings kept as an object of reverence.

Example: Holy Grail is one of the most famous relics of all time.

70. Wreak (verb)

a) cause (a large amount of damage or harm). b) inflict (vengeance).

Example: They wreaked vengeance on those who crossed them.

71. Utopia (noun)

an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

Example: A harmonious republic was a utopia – impossible to conceive in the current political situation.

72. Vegetate (verb)

live or spend a period in a dull, inactive, unchallenging way.

Example: They vegetated in the neighborhood for years before they finally moved out.

73. Infringe (verb)

a) actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.). b) act to limit or undermine (something); encroach on.

Example: He infringed on their agreement by opting out just after twenty days into the contract.

74. Subtlety (noun)

a) the quality or state of being subtle. b) a subtle distinction, feature, or argument.

Example: His paintings contained many subtleties and eclectic elements.

75. Epitaph (noun)

a phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone.

Example: “Always in our hearts,” said his tombstone.

76. Grisly (adjective)

causing horror or disgust.

Example: This grisly murder was depicted in graphic detail by the newspaper.

77. Libido (noun)

a) sexual desire. b) the energy of the sexual drive as a component of the life instinct.

Example: Even the sleeping pills were not able to restrain her libido. She was a true nymphomaniac!

78. Epitome (noun)

a) a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type. b) a summary of a written work; an abstract

Example: The president was an epitome of imbecility.

79. Topple (verb)

a) overbalance or cause to overbalance and fall. b) remove (a government or person in authority) from power; overthrow.

Example: After drinking ten shots in a row, he tried to dance, but quickly toppled on the dance floor.

80. Morose (adjective)

a) sullen and ill-tempered.

Example: His morose mood was a turn-off for everyone he met.

81. Impalpable (adjective)

a) unable to be felt by touch. b) not easily comprehended.

Example: There was an impalpable sense of dread hanging in the air. Then they heard something behind the wall.

82. Gratuitous (adjective)

a) done without good reason; uncalled for. b) given or done free of charge.

Example: His gratuitous remark met with scorn from his companions.

83. Opaque (adjective)

not able to be seen through; not transparent.

Example: He couldn’t see anything through the opaque glass of the jail cell.

84. Postmortem (noun)

an examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death.

Example: The postmortem proved the hunch of the inspector to be true: the victim was strangled.

85. Eclectic (adjective/noun)

a) deriving ideas, styles, or tastes from a broad and diverse range of sources. b) a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Example: His eclectic interests made him a peerless raconteur.

86. Delve (verb)

reach inside a receptacle and search for something.

Example: She delved deeply into the details of the business deal.

87. Studious (adjective)

a) spending a lot of time studying or reading. b) done deliberately or with a purpose in mind.

Example: His studious ejaculations obscured their view of reality.

88. Impel (verb)

a) drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something. b) drive forward; propel.

Example: He impelled the soldiers to face the enemy.

89. Mannered (adjective)

a) behaving in a specified way. b) (of behavior, art, or a literary style) marked by idiosyncratic or exaggerated mannerisms; artificial.

Example: She answered in a mannered, slightly cocky way.

90. Peevish (adjective)

having or showing an irritable disposition.

Example: Don’t be so peevish! I just said: “You’re an asshole”.

91. Stickler (noun)

a person who insists on a certain quality or type of behavior

Example: She’s such a stickler for keeping the floor free of dirty socks.

92. Adulterate (verb)

render (something) poorer in quality by adding another substance.

Example: The adulterated vodka gave them a huge hangover.

93. Deplete (verb)

a) use up the supply or resources of. b) diminish in number or quantity.

Example: All our resources are being depleted.

94. Nadir (noun)

the lowest or most unsuccessful point in a situation.

Example: Even the best of us reach a nadir at some point in our lives.

95. Prelude (noun)

a) an action or event serving as an introduction to something more important. b) an introductory piece of music , most commonly an orchestral opening to an act of an opera, the first movement of a suite, or a piece preceding a fugue.

Example: Bathing in coconut milk was just a prelude to a long and complicated cosmetic procedure.

96. Curtail (verb)

reduce in extent or quantity; restrict on.

Example: He curtailed his late trips into the night.

97. Tacit (adjective)

understood or implied without being stated.

Example: Her nod was a sign of a tacit agreement.

98. Abstruse (adjective)

difficult to understand; obscure.

Example: His philosophy was abstruse.

99. Placate (verb)

make (someone) less angry or hostile.

Example: She placated the poor bastard by buying him another drink.

100. Fathomless (adjective)

unable to be measured or understood; extremely deep.

Example: The fathomless expanding cosmos.

101. Iconoclastic (adjective)

criticizing or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions.

Example: He said that Mother Theresa was evil. He likes this iconoclastic approach.

102. Antithesis (noun)

a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

Example: She’s an antithesis of a good musician.

103. Magniloquent (adjective)

using high-flown or bombastic language.

Example: His magniloquent speech didn’t impress anyone.

104. Deference (noun)

polite submission and respect. Example: He conceded with the request out of deference to the old man.

105. Unwitting (adjective)

a) (of a person) not aware of the full facts. b) not done on purpose; unintentional.

Example: His unwitting involvement in the crime ultimately put him in jail.

106. Mutinous (adjective)

a) (of a soldier or sailor) refusing to obey the orders of a person in authority. b) willful or disobedient.

Example: The mutinous sailors threw the captain over the board.

107. Craven (adjective/noun)

a) contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly. b) a cowardly person.

Example: The craven fool wouldn’t get out of hiding to save his wife.

108. Luminary (noun)

a person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere.

Example: The luminaries slowly stepped on stage to converse about celestial bodies.

109. Homage (noun)

special honor or respect that is shown publicly.

Example: She played an exquisite song in homage to her master.

110. Cupidity (noun)

greed for money or possessions. Example: Cupidity left him with a lot of money, but no friends.

111. Syllogism (noun)

an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises)

Example: He amazed the audience and other debaters by employing brilliant syllogisms.

112. Facetious (adjective)

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

Example: Don’t be facetious! It’s a serious matter!

113. Martinet (noun)

a person who demands complete obedience; a strict disciplinarian.

Example: In the army, we soldiered under a hell of a martinet.

114. Irksome (adjective)

irritating; annoying. Example: His continuous questions were irksome.

115. Defalcate (verb)

embezzle (funds with which one has been entrusted).

Example: The embezzled the Jones family for one million dollars.

This is a part of the language and vocabulary series, which includes:

• 12 Ways to Expand Your Vocabulary
• 40 Best Essays of All Time (With Links)
• 50 Sophisticated Words in English (With Examples From Movies)
• 80 Most Beautiful Words in The World (Defined)
• 100 English Words With Deep Meanings

Parting words

In wrapping up, diving into the depths of the English language reveals a treasure trove of advanced words, each a testament to its rich tapestry and evolution. Embracing these linguistic gems not only elevates our expression but also deepens our appreciation for the language’s intricate beauty. Expand your vocabulary , and you unlock new realms of communication and understanding.

Get your free PDF report: Download your guide to 100+ AI marketing tools and learn how to thrive as a marketer in the digital era.

Rafal Reyzer

Hey there, welcome to my blog! I'm a full-time entrepreneur building two companies, a digital marketer, and a content creator with 10+ years of experience. I started RafalReyzer.com to provide you with great tools and strategies you can use to become a proficient digital marketer and achieve freedom through online creativity. My site is a one-stop shop for digital marketers, and content enthusiasts who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things. Explore my journey here , and don't miss out on my AI Marketing Mastery online course.

Syntax and the Sophistication Point in AP® English Literature and AP® English Language

by Heather Garcia

The new AP ® English Literature rubric , updated most recently in September of 2019, awards students a point if they write an arguable thesis, up to four points if they write an effective essay using evidence and commentary, and a single point if they produce writing that demonstrates sophistication.

An arguable thesis is easily teachable, as is teaching students to write well-developed paragraphs that explore and analyze elements of literature—be it in prose or poetry. What is driving my students crazy is the elusive sophistication point. They want it. Badly! They are willing to work for it, and I am more than willing to let them.

The language on the rubric for earning the sophistication point declares that the essay must “demonstrate[s] sophistication of thought and/or develop[s] a complex literary argument.” This is the same statement for all three essay types on the exam: the Poetry Analysis, the Prose Fiction Analysis, and the Literary Argument.

According to the rubric, essays will not earn this sophistication point if they “use complicated or complex sentences or language that are ineffective because they do not enhance the student’s argument.” So students can’t be unnecessarily wordy. Got it.

College Board then advises that the essays that earn the sophistication point should employ “a style that is consistently vivid and persuasive.” So this means that one way students could earn the sophistication point is to write complex and complicated sentences that actually enhance their argument rather than run the readers through circuits of memorized SAT words and convoluted ideas. Or, students can practice with their syntax and write more than endless strings of back-to-back simple sentences. That may seem like an easy feat for college-bound students—except that my students, and perhaps many others, are seriously lacking in their grammar background. I am not sure if it is a generational problem, or a localized problem, or a result of standardized testing driving educational goals—but my kids need some grammar help. I am certain that my kids are not the only ones. I have a feeling many of us are in this together.

One way that we are working to make their writing more sophisticated is to work on employing intentional syntax choices. Students can usually analyze the function of syntax in a piece that we are studying, and they can write beautiful, fluid sentences when we study specific sentence structures in isolation, but in a timed setting, a transformation happens.

When we practice timed writing—the students transform into a panicked mess. They resort to their old ways: streams of simple sentences—one after another after another—and it feels like I am reading an old “Dick and Jane” primer. Or, they ramble off long convoluted sentences that make little sense.

By forcing this in-depth reflection so quickly after they write, they see the problems they want to fix, and are frustrated when I don’t let them (yet). I have them type a one-paragraph reflection on their writing at the end of the essay, but not before I instruct them to chart their sentences. All of them.

Charting sentences seems tedious, and it can be, but it is worth it. Students don’t always think about sentence lengths or notice that their sentence lengths follow similar patterns until they chart them. Students who write predominantly simple sentences don’t realize it until they chart their sentence lengths, and then they realize that they need to work on combining strategies to make their sentences more complex. And on the converse side, students who write wordy sentences with little content payoff can see that they need variety in their writing as well, that compound and even simple sentences can be effective too.

Students need to have a lesson on simple sentence structures before this will make sense to them. They need to know the difference between a staccato sentence, a telegraphic sentence, a simple sentence, a compound sentence, a complex sentence, and a compound-complex sentence.

Here is a quick reference:

• Staccato (1-2 words—used sparingly for emphasis)
• Telegraphic (5 or fewer words—again, usually for emphasis)
• Simple (one independent clause—subject and verb)
• Compound (two independent clauses connected by a conjunction)
• Complex (one independent cause with one or more dependent clauses)
• Compound Complex (two or more independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses)

The chart that I have students put at the bottom of their essays looks like this:

Each student’s chart will be of varying lengths because they all write different amounts in a timed setting, but having them take the time to examine their sentences to determine which kind they are writing helps them realize so many mistakes they are making during their timed drafts. It’s fabulous as a reflection tool, and they catch fragments long before I ever even glance at their essays.

When I grade I don’t need to comment on their constant strings of simple sentences, fragments, or wordy messes. They already know they exist, which saves me time. When I see their reflections (which I read first), I don’t need to comment on what they already notice. I get to focus on what they missed, which is usually content-based. This speeds up my grading time and it gives students focused, content-based feedback that they can use to enhance their arguments. Each student’s chart will be of varying lengths because they all write different amounts in a timed setting, but having them take the time to examine their sentences to determine which kind they are writing helps them realize so many mistakes they are making during their timed drafts. It’s fabulous as a reflection tool, and they catch fragments long before I ever even glance at their essays.

It isn’t until I hand back graded essays that the students get a chance to revise. In their revisions they work to combine sentences, to clean up sloppy draft writing, and to work that initial timed draft to a place of sophistication. Will the students be able to chart their sentences and go back and revise on test day? Absolutely not. Will they learn to yield syntax to their will as we practice? I can only hope.

Here is a chart for the last paragraph :

Heather Garcia is an English teacher at Charlotte High School, Florida, where she teaches AP English Literature and AP ® English Language. She is a professional development leader in her district, running annual new-teacher trainings and is now the Curriculum and Instructional Specialist for her district for grades 6-12. After 16 years of hands-on experience, Heather has developed a series of strategies to help her students navigate challenging texts. Her favorite book is the Steinbeck classic, East of Eden .

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50 Sophisticated Words You Should Start Using

It might be time for phasing out some of the played-out words in your vocabulary and replacing them with creative alternatives? Don’t feel bad; everyone you know has been guilty of letting a “fail” or an “LOL” slip at least once in a while. But those words are tired. They need a long rest. Here are 50 sophisticated utterances to deploy instead.

Cyber Substitutes

• Supreme : Epic doesn’t mean what you think it means. Use this instead, meaning classic or perfect.
• Blunder : For the love of grammar, “fail” is not a noun. On the other hand, “ blunder ” works as both a noun and a verb. How supreme.
• Triumph : Instead of “ FTW ,” you can say, “ For The Triumph! ” We bet you money you can’t say it without feeling like Maximus.
• Fidus Achates : More than some internet acquaintance, a fidus Achates (“ FEED-us uh-KAH-tays “) is a true friend. It’s like “ BFF ” in Latin.
• Fancy : It’s only a matter of time before you’ll be able to “ fancy ” a link or status update for which you wish to show appreciation.
• Cachinnate : Forget about laughing your a** off. Tell them you’re cachinnating (CACK-in-ate-ing) heartily.
• Woe is me : It sounds a bit like Yoda-ese, but instead of saying FML, go biblical with “ woe is me .”
• Piquant : If you simply must inform the world how scrumptious the food you are currently eating is, please refrain from saying “ nom nom nom .” Use this descriptor instead to convey appetizing flavor.
• Baffling : It’s too easy to just drop a “WTH” (or some variation) on some activity or news that perplexes you. Why not be baffled ?
• Indubitably : The “ Really ?” ship has sailed. To express ironic dismay, go with, “ Indubitably ?” Trust us, it’s a can’t-miss.
• Desultory : Don’t be a serial “ random “-dropper. If something is unexpected, call it “ desultory .”
• Ergo : Starting a status update with “ so ” is nonsensical because “ so ” means “ therefore .” But if you’re going to use “ so ” correctly, “ ergo ” works just as well and makes you sound twice as classy.

Better Buzzwords

• Donjon : Men, have you been relegated to a small segment of the house referred to as your “ man cave ?” You don’t have to take that. Call it your donjon , like the stronghold of a castle.
• Garrison : “ Occupy ” has been done to death. Use this if you’re moving in and taking over.
• Aspiration : Something that goes on your Bucket List (which hopefully you’re not still saying) is an aspiration .
• Pater familias : Bad: “ baby daddy .” Better: “ father .” Best: “ pater familias .”
• Minutiae-peddling : This phrase is our own creation. Since 40% of all tweets are pointless babble , instead of saying “ I’m tweeting ” you could say, “ I’m peddling minutiae. “

Underage Upgrades

• Alas : “ Oh, snap ” is so out. All the cool kids are saying “ alas! ” after their putdowns.
• Forsooth : All the kids (and some adults) simply adore saying, “ I know, right? ” Kick it old school Archaic with “ forsooth ,” meaning “ indeed .”
• Jocular : People’s eyes glaze over when they read “ LOL .” Send them scrambling for a dictionary when you reply, “ How jocular! “
• Gamin : It means “ street urchin ,” but we can change the meaning to be more neutral if we put our minds to it. After all, we did the same thing with “ dude .”
• Paraphernalia : Remember the nice officer who referred to your “ drug paraphernalia? ” That was a fancier way of saying drug stuff .
• Incogitable : To the kids, everything’s “ wack ” or “ crazy .” But the silver-tongued teenager of 2012 will be sharing his or her disbelief with this mouthful.

Professional Pick-me-ups

• Demiurgic : “ Innovative ” is the second-most overused resume filler word. Since you’re already tooting your own horn, compare yourself to a Gnostic creative deity with this word.
• Ambitious : “ Motivated ” is another résumé snooze-inducer. Go ahead and say you’re ambitious; it’ll add a little edge to it that will help you stand out from the pack.
• Assiduous : Don’t bother telling employers you are “ dynamic ;” everyone they’ve interviewed has been dynamic. But if you want an original way to tell them you are hardworking, use this.
• Henceforth : For some reason, “ going forward ” has caught on as a tack-on to the end of serious statements to make them sound more complete. We’re not sure how you can go any way but forward, but at least use “ henceforth ” instead.
• “_________” : That’s a blank to represent an alternative to saying, “ It is what it is . ” “ It is what it is ” is the equivalent of saying nothing, thus it has no alternative. Just keep quiet for once instead.
• Pandemic : Sure, a video can go viral by getting a few million clicks. But aim higher for your company; shoot for a billion clicks. People will be forced to admit your work has gone pandemic .
• Withal : You’re not still using “ irregardless “, are you? Make the point of “nevertheless” with withal , a great word that people will think you misspelled.
• Veritably : Love, Actually would have been so much more original if it had been called “ Love, Veritably .”
• Impetus : When you execs talk about giving your employees an impetus , you might be discussing raises or donuts in the break room or some other motivational tool.

Romantic Retools

• Cherish : Take a lesson from The Association and discover another way to say “ I love you. “
• Paragon : Tell your girlfriend she is a paragon of beauty and you’ll score major brownie points once she’s looked it up.
• Pulchritudinous : …Or you could call her “ pulchritudinous .” How fantastic is that word? Of course, you will have to quickly assure her it’s a compliment.
• Recherché : Your wife’s dress isn’t just elegant, it’s exquisite, refined, exotic… recherché .
• Despondent : Sad is what you are when you spill wine on your pants. When your baby leaves you high and dry in the cold, cruel world, you’re despondent .
• Loathe : People say “ hate ” is a strong word, but it’s got nothing on “ loathe. “
• Abjure : There’s no doubt saying you “ dumped ” someone is colorful, but if you want to say it in style and with authority, say you abjured that cheatin’ man.
• Yearn : Do justice to your desire to possess that special someone. You don’t want to date them, you yearn for them.

Dignified Descriptors

• Atrocious : You spilled your coffee, broke a shoelace, smeared the lipstick on your face. That’s not a bad day , it’s atrocious .
• Spanking : The only socially-acceptable way to incorporate “ spanking ” into a polite conversation is to use it instead of the word “ good .”
• Transcendent : If you say something is “ awesome ,” you’re saying it inspires fear or awe in you. So pizza cannot be awesome. What it can be is transcendent or excellent.
• Gobs : Make your old English teacher happy and stop using “ lots .” “ Gobs ” is so much more fun to say anyway.
• Opined : “ Said ” is perfectly functional and perfectly acceptable and perfectly boring. If someone is giving their opinion, say they “ opined .”
• Parry : Really, there’s no reason to use “ said ” unless you write for a newspaper. Parry back and forth with your debate partner using your newfound word gems.
• Asseverate : Last one: To asseverate is to declare earnestly or solemnly. So help you God.
• Altitudinous : Get creative when referring to your tall friend from high school. “ That guy was downright altitudinous! “
• Corpulent : If you’re going to call someone fat, at least find an unusual way to do it, like with this word.
• Lummox : So many great insult words, so little time. Take a line from Stewie and call that moron a “ bovine lummox .”

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2 responses to “50 sophisticated words you should start using”.

Zoe, I am an Indian. English is not my mother-tongue, but I am quite comfortable with the language. I love using correct, appropriate and beautiful words and expressions in my day-to-day life. I have to say that I have learnt quite a few words and usages here. This is great piece of work. Loved it! Keep it up.

Thank you for the great comment Nirmalya. I am glad you stopped by.

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