Do You Know What These Gigantic English Words Mean?

The English language can be as simple or as crazy as you want it to be. On one hand, you have the gen-Z rendition of the language, making yourself as comfortable and easygoing with the words as possible, and on the other, you have Shakespearean literature and other texts that include terms that are painful to even read. Here are some of the most difficult and longest words in the dictionary. No one’s gonna judge you if you can’t get them right, but if you can, you have my full respect. Difficulty level? All the way to the top. Ready, Set, Go!

1 HIPPOPOTOMONSTROSESQUIPPEDALIOPHOBIA means-
1. The fear of long words
2. The fear of hippopotamuses
3. The fear of waking up without a face
Correct!

Wrong!

The fear of long words!

Yep! This strange term is used to describe a condition in which a person is scared of long words. Kinda ironic, isn't it?
2 SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS is
1. a state of unexplainable joy
2. a skin disease that makes your skin very fragile and transparent
3. a word from pop culture that 'you can say when you have nothing else to say'
Correct!

Wrong!

It is a word from pop culture that you can say when you have nothing else to say!

This made-up word was popularized by the movie Mary Poppins and has been a favorite of audiences ever since.
3 How 'bout the word FLOCCINAUCINIHILIPILIFICATION?
1. It is a fictional process from a book where fungi turn into humans
2. It is the action or habit of estimating something as worthless
3. It means hypnotizing someone to make them obey your orders
Correct!

Wrong!

It is the action or habit of estimating something as worthless!

This one is for our fancy word lovers. You can use this word in a sentence to boggle someone's mind!
4 PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVOLCANOCONIOSIS is-
1. a lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica or quartz dust
2. the collapse of a part or all of the lung and its functions
3. a disease where the main passages that carry air to the lungs become swelled and inflamed
Correct!

Wrong!

It is a lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica or quartz dust.

There are many biological and technical terms that are longer than this one, but this word is among the longest words to be included in dictionaries!
5 What do you think HONORIFICABILITUDINITATIBUS means?
1. It is a Latin word referring to heroes who bring failure in wars.
2. The state of being able to achieve honors.
3. Nice try, but this is a made-up word and it's not real.
Correct!

Wrong!

The state of being able to achieve honors!

That's right! This is very much a real term that is derived from a medieval Latin word, and it is mentioned by a character in William Shakespeare's play, Love's Labour's Lost.
6 POLYPHILOPROGENITIVE is-
1. being unimaginably beautiful
2. evasion of straightforward action or clear-cut statement
3. tending to produce offspring, or characterized by a love of offspring
Correct!

Wrong!

tending to produce offspring, or characterized by a love of offspring!

This is basically a word that puts exaggerated emphasis on progenitive or prolific when these words don't seem to be long or strong enough.
7 SESQUIPEDALIANISM means-
1. The ideology that the rich and obnoxious should rule the world
2. The practice of using long, sometimes obscure, words in speech or writing
3. Showing a lack of will to move, exert, or change
Correct!

Wrong!

The practice of using long, sometimes obscure, words in speech or writing

If you are a Sesquipedalian, you should have no problem acing this quiz, huh?
8 The word PULCHRITUDINOUS stands for-
1. a person who has a very badly kept appearance
2. Someone who is intently focused on their goal
3. A person who is physically very beautiful
Correct!

Wrong!

A person who is physically very beautiful!

I know the word brings to mind feelings of discomfort and disgust more than endearment, but if you're ever feeling especially archaic, you can use this word to compliment your friends or partners!
9 This is a special addition to the list. EUOUAE is the longest English word composed only of vowels. It is-
1. A Portuguese food item made with goat milk
2. A mnemonic/ abbreviation used in medieval music
3. A term referring to someone who is a linguistic expert
Correct!

Wrong!

A mnemonic/ abbreviation used in medieval music!

It is a rare word and no one really uses it, but you can find it in Latin psalters and other liturgical books if you're ever curious about the distribution of syllables and tones in the piece Gloria Patri.
10 Thought this was getting easy? Let's go out with a bang- LOPADOTEMACHOSELACHOGALEOKRANIOLEIPSANODRIMHYPOTRIMMATOSILPHIOKARABOMELITOKATAKECHYMENOKICHLEPIKOSSYPHOPHATTOPERISTERALEKTRYONOPTEKEPHALLIOKIGKLOPELEIOLAGOIOSIRAIOBAPHETRAGANOPTERYGON
1. A protein found in striated muscles of the human body
2. A name given to the prank of tapping someone on one side of the shoulder while standing on the other side
3. A fictional dish composed of all kinds of fish, meats, and sauces, mentioned in an ancient Greek play
Correct!

Wrong!

A fictional dish composed of all kinds of fish, meats, and sauces, mentioned in an ancient Greek play!

It is translated from ancient Greek (where it is just as long, by the way) and was mentioned in Aristophanes' comedy play Assemblywomen. Apparently, it is a stew that features a whole horde of ingredients!