# WordDuel Vocabulary โ€” Level 12: Championship > 120 words ยท Australian Curriculum spelling list --- ## 1. absquatulate **Phonetic:** /ab-SKWOT-yoo-layt/ **Definition:** To leave somewhere quickly and secretly, often to avoid trouble or responsibility. **Example:** When the teacher turned around, the cheeky student tried to sneak away quickly from the classroom. --- ## 2. acquiescence **Phonetic:** /ak-wee-ES-ens/ **Definition:** The act of accepting or agreeing to something without arguing, even if you don't fully agree with it. **Example:** Rather than protesting the new rule, the class showed silent agreement by simply nodding and following the instructions. --- ## 3. aggiornamento **Phonetic:** /ah-jor-nah-MEN-toh/ **Definition:** The process of bringing something up to date or modernising it, especially attitudes, practices, or institutions. **Example:** The old organisation desperately needed a complete modernisation and updating of its rules and practices. --- ## 4. anagnorisis **Phonetic:** /an-ag-NOR-ih-sis/ **Definition:** The moment in a story when a character makes a critical discovery or realises something important. It is a dramatic turning point of recognition. **Example:** In the Greek tragedy, the most dramatic scene occurred when the king finally recognised that he had unknowingly caused his own downfall. --- ## 5. anfractuous **Phonetic:** /an-FRAK-choo-us/ **Definition:** Full of twists and turns; winding and complicated in a sinuous way. **Example:** The winding, twisting path through the ancient gorge took twice as long as the straight route. --- ## 6. antediluvian **Phonetic:** /an-tee-dih-LOO-vee-un/ **Definition:** Extremely old or old-fashioned, as if from before the biblical flood. It means something is ridiculously outdated or ancient. **Example:** Grandpa's ideas about technology were so incredibly ancient and outdated that he still distrusted the telephone. --- ## 7. antidisestablishmentarianism **Phonetic:** /an-tee-dis-uh-stab-lish-men-tair-ee-uh-niz-um/ **Definition:** Opposition to the withdrawal of government support from an established church. It is one of the longest words in the English language. **Example:** The long political movement against separating church and state in England is known by one of the longest words ever used in serious debate. --- ## 8. antinomian **Phonetic:** /an-tih-NOH-mee-un/ **Definition:** Relating to the belief that moral laws do not apply, or someone who rejects established rules and norms. It describes a rebellious attitude toward accepted standards. **Example:** The rebel group held the controversial view that no established rules of society should bind their behaviour. --- ## 9. apophenia **Phonetic:** /ap-oh-fee-nee-uh/ **Definition:** The tendency to perceive meaningful connections or patterns between unrelated things. It explains why people sometimes see faces in clouds or find hidden messages where none exist. **Example:** The psychologist explained that the human brain is wired to find patterns everywhere, even when the connections are purely coincidental. --- ## 10. apothegm **Phonetic:** /ap-uh-them/ **Definition:** A short, witty, and instructive saying or memorable remark. It is a concise statement that expresses a general truth. **Example:** The wise old teacher was famous for her short, pithy sayings that captured deep truths about life in just a few words. --- ## 11. apotheosis **Phonetic:** /uh-poth-ee-OH-sis/ **Definition:** The highest point of development or the elevation of someone to divine status. It means the perfect example or peak of something. **Example:** The ancient Romans believed that certain emperors achieved the ultimate elevation to godhood after they died. --- ## 12. apotropaic **Phonetic:** /ap-oh-troh-PAY-ik/ **Definition:** Designed to ward off evil or bad luck, like a protective charm or ritual. **Example:** The horseshoe hung above the door was believed to have the power to keep evil spirits away. --- ## 13. autochthonous **Phonetic:** /aw-tok-thuh-nus/ **Definition:** Originating in the place where it is found; indigenous or native to a region. It describes things that belong naturally to a particular area. **Example:** The scientist confirmed that the ancient rock formations were native to the region and had not been carried there by glaciers. --- ## 14. bathypelagic **Phonetic:** /bath-ee-puh-LAJ-ik/ **Definition:** Relating to the deep zone of the ocean, typically between 1,000 and 4,000 metres below the surface. It describes the dark, cold part of the sea where sunlight cannot reach. **Example:** The marine biologist studied creatures that lived in the pitch-black ocean zone thousands of metres beneath the surface. --- ## 15. borborygmus **Phonetic:** /bor-boh-RIG-mus/ **Definition:** The rumbling or gurgling noise that your stomach or intestines make, especially when you are hungry. **Example:** During the quiet exam, a loud rumbling sound from someone's hungry belly made the entire class burst into giggles. --- ## 16. boustrophedon **Phonetic:** /boo-stroh-fee-don/ **Definition:** A style of writing in which alternate lines are written in opposite directions, like an ox ploughing a field. Ancient texts were sometimes written this way. **Example:** The archaeologist noticed that the ancient text alternated direction with each line, reading left to right and then right to left. --- ## 17. cacoethes **Phonetic:** /kak-oh-EE-theez/ **Definition:** An irresistible urge or desire to do something inadvisable. It describes a compulsion or mania that is hard to control. **Example:** She had an uncontrollable compulsion to correct other people's grammar, even when it was not appropriate to do so. --- ## 18. callipygian **Phonetic:** /kal-ih-PIJ-ee-un/ **Definition:** Having well-shaped or attractive features, originally referring to a beautiful form. It comes from ancient Greek words meaning 'beautiful' and relates to physical attractiveness. **Example:** The classical sculpture in the museum was admired for its perfectly proportioned and beautifully shaped figure. --- ## 19. callithumpian **Phonetic:** /kal-ih-THUM-pee-un/ **Definition:** Relating to a noisy, boisterous parade or band, often meant to mock or celebrate in a chaotic way. **Example:** The rowdy, clanging parade of pots and pans through the village streets was the most _______ spectacle anyone had ever witnessed. --- ## 20. catachresis **Phonetic:** /kat-uh-KREE-sis/ **Definition:** The incorrect or unusual use of a word, either by mistake or on purpose for creative effect. It is a figure of speech where words are deliberately misapplied. **Example:** The author deliberately used a word in completely the wrong context to create a startling and memorable literary effect. --- ## 21. catafalque **Phonetic:** /KAT-uh-falk/ **Definition:** A decorated raised platform used to support a coffin during a funeral or memorial ceremony. **Example:** The ornate raised platform in the cathedral held the coffin during the solemn memorial service. --- ## 22. charientism **Phonetic:** /KAR-ee-en-tiz-um/ **Definition:** An elegantly veiled insult, or the art of disguising a harsh truth with graceful, polite language. **Example:** With perfect politeness, she delivered a _______ so smooth that the audience laughed before realising it was actually quite cutting. --- ## 23. chiaroscuro **Phonetic:** /kee-ar-uh-SKYOOR-oh/ **Definition:** The use of strong contrasts between light and dark in artwork to create a dramatic effect. It is an Italian technique made famous by painters like Caravaggio. **Example:** The Italian master created breathtaking drama in his paintings by placing deep shadows right next to brilliant areas of light. --- ## 24. chrysanthemum **Phonetic:** /kris-AN-thuh-mum/ **Definition:** A garden plant with brightly coloured, decorative flowers that bloom in many shapes and colours. They are popular in Australian gardens and are often called 'mums' for short. **Example:** The colourful autumn-blooming flowers with layers of delicate petals brightened up the entire garden bed. --- ## 25. clerihew **Phonetic:** /KLEH-rih-hyoo/ **Definition:** A short, humorous poem that is four lines long and is usually about a famous person. It was named after its inventor, Edmund Clerihew Bentley. **Example:** The class assignment was to write a funny four-line poem about a well-known historical figure. --- ## 26. conscientious **Phonetic:** /kon-shee-EN-shus/ **Definition:** Describing someone who is very careful and thorough in their work, always wanting to do things properly and correctly. **Example:** The student always proofread her essays three times and never handed in work without checking every detail. --- ## 27. crepuscular **Phonetic:** /kreh-pus-kyoo-lur/ **Definition:** Relating to or resembling twilight; active during dawn and dusk. Many animals are described this way because they come out at these dim times of day. **Example:** The deer emerged from the forest just as the sun was setting, as these animals are most active during the dim hours of twilight. --- ## 28. cynosure **Phonetic:** /SY-nuh-shoor/ **Definition:** A person or thing that is the centre of attention or admiration. It originally referred to the North Star, which guides travellers. **Example:** With her stunning gown and confident smile, she became the focal point that every eye in the ballroom was drawn to. --- ## 29. defenestration **Phonetic:** /dee-fen-es-TRAY-shun/ **Definition:** The act of throwing someone or something out of a window. It is also used to describe the removal of someone from a position of power. **Example:** In a famous event in Prague, angry citizens hurled officials out through the glass opening of a tall building. --- ## 30. defervescence **Phonetic:** /dee-fur-VES-ens/ **Definition:** The reduction or disappearance of a fever. It is the medical term for when a person's high temperature begins to return to normal. **Example:** After three days of dangerously high temperatures, the child's fever finally began to drop back toward normal. --- ## 31. deuteragonist **Phonetic:** /doo-ter-AG-uh-nist/ **Definition:** The second most important character in a story, play, or film, right after the main character or hero. **Example:** While everyone focuses on the hero, it is the second most important character who often provides the emotional heart of the story. --- ## 32. diaphanous **Phonetic:** /dy-AF-uh-nus/ **Definition:** So delicate and light that you can almost see through it. It is used to describe very fine, translucent fabrics or materials. **Example:** The curtains were so incredibly thin and delicate that sunlight streamed through them as if they were barely there. --- ## 33. dyscalculia **Phonetic:** /dis-kal-KYOO-lee-ah/ **Definition:** A specific learning difficulty that affects a person's ability to understand and work with numbers and mathematical concepts. **Example:** Some students struggle enormously with arithmetic not because they aren't trying, but because their brains process numerical information differently. --- ## 34. eigengrau **Phonetic:** /EYE-gen-grow/ **Definition:** The dark grey colour that you see when you close your eyes in complete darkness. It is not truly black but a specific shade of dark grey. **Example:** Even in the deepest cave with no light at all, people still perceive a uniform dark grey called _______. --- ## 35. eleemosynary **Phonetic:** /el-ee-MOS-in-air-ee/ **Definition:** Relating to charity or the giving of help and money to people in need, done out of kindness rather than for profit. **Example:** The organisation existed purely to provide charitable assistance to those less fortunate, never expecting anything in return. --- ## 36. embouchure **Phonetic:** /om-boo-SHOOR/ **Definition:** The way a musician positions and uses their lips, tongue, and facial muscles when playing a wind instrument like a trumpet or flute. **Example:** The clarinet player practised for hours each day to strengthen her _______ so she could hit the highest notes. --- ## 37. epithalamium **Phonetic:** /ep-ih-thuh-LAY-mee-um/ **Definition:** A special song or poem written to celebrate a bride and groom on their wedding day. **Example:** The best man recited a specially composed poem honouring the newlyweds as they sat together at the reception table. --- ## 38. erethism **Phonetic:** /eh-ruh-thiz-um/ **Definition:** An abnormal state of excitement or irritation, especially of the body or mind. It can refer to unusual sensitivity in a body part or extreme restlessness. **Example:** The doctor noted that the patient's extreme nervousness and irritability were symptoms of a condition caused by toxic metal exposure. --- ## 39. eudaemonia **Phonetic:** /yoo-dee-MOH-nee-uh/ **Definition:** A state of happiness and well-being that comes from living a meaningful and virtuous life. It is an ancient Greek philosophical concept about human flourishing. **Example:** The Greek philosopher taught that true human flourishing comes not from wealth or pleasure, but from living a life of virtue and purpose. --- ## 40. floccinaucinihilipilification **Phonetic:** /flok-si-naw-si-ny-hil-ip-il-if-ik-AY-shun/ **Definition:** The action or habit of estimating something as worthless. It is one of the longest words in the English language. **Example:** The critic's habit of treating every new painting as completely worthless upset the entire art community. --- ## 41. gasconade **Phonetic:** /gas-kuh-NAYD/ **Definition:** Extravagant boasting or bragging, or to boast extravagantly about oneself. **Example:** Nobody believed his outrageous claims of single-handedly winning the match, dismissing it all as mere _______. --- ## 42. grandiloquent **Phonetic:** /gran-DIL-oh-kwent/ **Definition:** Using fancy, pompous, or overly elaborate language to try to impress people, often more than is necessary. **Example:** The student's essay was filled with such pompous and extravagant language that the teacher asked him to simply write in plain English. --- ## 43. hallux **Phonetic:** /HAL-uks/ **Definition:** The big toe on a human foot, or the innermost toe of an animal's hind foot. **Example:** After stubbing her largest toe on the doorframe, the X-ray revealed a small fracture in her _______. --- ## 44. hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia **Phonetic:** /hip-oh-pot-oh-mon-stroh-ses-kwip-eh-day-lee-oh-FOH-bee-uh/ **Definition:** The fear of long words. Ironically, the word itself is extremely long! **Example:** The spelling bee contestant laughed when she realised the word for a fear of long words was itself absurdly lengthy, a classic case of _______. --- ## 45. hiraeth **Phonetic:** /HEER-eyeth/ **Definition:** A deep longing or homesickness for a home or place that you cannot return to, or that may never have existed. It is a Welsh word used in English to express a bittersweet yearning. **Example:** She felt an overwhelming and bittersweet longing for the homeland she had left behind decades ago and could never revisit. --- ## 46. hypaethral **Phonetic:** /hy-PEE-thral/ **Definition:** Describing a building or temple that is open to the sky, without a roof. **Example:** The ancient ruined temple had no roof, allowing sunlight and rain to pour directly onto the stone floor. --- ## 47. idiosyncratic **Phonetic:** /id-ee-oh-sin-KRAT-ik/ **Definition:** Describing behaviour or habits that are unusual and unique to one particular person, making them stand out from everyone else. **Example:** Her peculiar and highly personal habit of humming a different tune for each day of the week made her truly one of a kind. --- ## 48. inglenook **Phonetic:** /ING-ul-nook/ **Definition:** A cosy nook or corner beside a fireplace, often with seating built into the chimney recess. **Example:** On freezing evenings, the family gathered in the warm corner built right beside the stone fireplace. --- ## 49. kakistocracy **Phonetic:** /kak-ih-STOK-ruh-see/ **Definition:** A government run by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens. **Example:** The satirical novel depicted a fictional nation governed by its worst citizens, a perfect example of _______. --- ## 50. legerdemain **Phonetic:** /lej-er-duh-MAYN/ **Definition:** Skilful use of the hands to perform magic tricks, or clever trickery and deception used to fool people. **Example:** The street performer's incredible sleight of hand made cards appear and disappear so quickly that no one could figure out the trick. --- ## 51. lethologica **Phonetic:** /leth-oh-LOJ-ih-kuh/ **Definition:** The inability to remember a particular word or name, even though you know you know it. It's the 'tip of the tongue' feeling. **Example:** He knew the actor's name perfectly well, but a frustrating bout of _______ left him stammering mid-sentence. --- ## 52. limerence **Phonetic:** /LIM-er-ents/ **Definition:** A state of intense romantic infatuation with another person, involving obsessive thoughts and a desperate desire for them to return your feelings. **Example:** She experienced an overwhelming, all-consuming romantic obsession that made it impossible to think about anything else. --- ## 53. logorrhea **Phonetic:** /log-oh-REE-uh/ **Definition:** A tendency to talk too much or use far too many words. It describes excessive and uncontrollable talkativeness. **Example:** The guest speaker suffered from an extreme case of wordiness, going on and on without ever reaching a point. --- ## 54. loquacious **Phonetic:** /loh-KWAY-shus/ **Definition:** Very talkative and fond of chatting. It describes someone who loves to talk a great deal. **Example:** The extremely chatty girl in class could talk for hours without stopping, barely pausing to take a breath. --- ## 55. lycanthropy **Phonetic:** /ly-KAN-thruh-pee/ **Definition:** The mythical ability or condition of a person transforming into a wolf. In psychology, it also refers to the delusion that one has become a wolf. **Example:** The old folklore described villagers who believed that certain cursed individuals could transform into wolves under the full moon. --- ## 56. melismatic **Phonetic:** /mel-iz-MAT-ik/ **Definition:** Relating to a style of singing where one syllable is stretched over many different musical notes. **Example:** The style of singing where a single vowel sound glides through a dozen different notes requires incredible vocal control. --- ## 57. nychthemeron **Phonetic:** /nik-THEM-er-on/ **Definition:** A complete period of one day and one night; a full 24-hour cycle. **Example:** The experiment required measurements taken continuously across a full cycle of daylight and darkness. --- ## 58. obnubilate **Phonetic:** /ob-NOO-bih-layt/ **Definition:** To make something dark, unclear, or cloudy, especially someone's thinking or judgment. **Example:** The confusing instructions seemed to darken and cloud everyone's understanding of the task. --- ## 59. omphaloskepsis **Phonetic:** /om-fuh-loh-skep-sis/ **Definition:** The contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation. It is also used humorously to describe excessive self-absorbed thinking. **Example:** The comedian teased the overly thoughtful group by saying they spent more time gazing at their own belly buttons than solving real problems. --- ## 60. onomatopoeia **Phonetic:** /on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh/ **Definition:** The formation of a word by imitating the natural sound associated with it, like 'buzz' or 'splash'. It's when words sound like the noise they describe. **Example:** The poet used words like 'hiss', 'crackle', and 'pop' that actually mimic the sounds they represent. --- ## 61. palimpsest **Phonetic:** /pal-imp-sest/ **Definition:** A manuscript or surface that has been written on, erased, and written over again, with traces of the earlier text still visible. It can also mean something with many layers of history. **Example:** Beneath the medieval prayer book, scientists found traces of an ancient mathematical text that monks had scraped away centuries ago. --- ## 62. paralogism **Phonetic:** /puh-RAL-uh-jiz-um/ **Definition:** A piece of false reasoning or an unintentionally flawed logical argument. Unlike a deliberate trick, it is a genuine mistake in thinking. **Example:** The debater did not realise that her argument contained a fundamental flaw in its logical reasoning. --- ## 63. paraprosdokian **Phonetic:** /par-uh-proz-DOH-kee-un/ **Definition:** A figure of speech where the ending of a sentence is surprising or unexpected, often used in comedy to make people laugh. **Example:** The comedian's joke started in a completely normal way, but the ending twisted in such a surprising direction that the whole audience erupted in laughter. --- ## 64. pareidolia **Phonetic:** /par-eye-DOH-lee-uh/ **Definition:** The tendency to see meaningful patterns or images, especially faces, in random shapes or objects. It explains why people see shapes in clouds or faces on the moon. **Example:** The psychological tendency that makes people see a human face on the surface of the moon has a specific scientific name. --- ## 65. persiflage **Phonetic:** /PUR-sih-flahzh/ **Definition:** Light, teasing conversation or banter that isn't meant to be taken seriously. **Example:** The playful, teasing chatter between the two comedians kept the audience laughing all evening. --- ## 66. perspicacious **Phonetic:** /per-spi-KAY-shus/ **Definition:** Having a keen ability to notice and understand things quickly and accurately. It means someone is very shrewd and perceptive. **Example:** The incredibly sharp-minded investigator noticed tiny clues that everyone else had completely overlooked. --- ## 67. perspicuity **Phonetic:** /pur-spih-KYOO-ih-tee/ **Definition:** The quality of being clear and easy to understand in speech or writing. It means expressing ideas in a way that leaves no confusion. **Example:** The scientist's ability to explain complex theories with remarkable clarity and transparency impressed the entire audience. --- ## 68. petrichor **Phonetic:** /PET-rih-kor/ **Definition:** The pleasant, earthy smell that comes after rain falls on dry ground. **Example:** As the first drops hit the dusty outback soil, a wonderful _______ filled the air. --- ## 69. phantasmagoria **Phonetic:** /fan-taz-muh-GOR-ee-uh/ **Definition:** A sequence of dreamlike, shifting images that seem strange or unreal, like something you might see in a bizarre dream. **Example:** The strange parade of floating lanterns and costumed figures created a dreamlike spectacle that felt completely unreal. --- ## 70. pneumatolysis **Phonetic:** /noo-mat-OL-ih-sis/ **Definition:** A geological process where hot gases and vapours from magma cause changes in surrounding rocks, often creating new minerals. **Example:** The geologist explained that the rare crystals found in the cave were created by _______ deep within the Earth's crust. --- ## 71. pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis **Phonetic:** /noo-mon-oh-ul-truh-my-kroh-skop-ik-sil-ik-oh-vol-kay-noh-koh-nee-OH-sis/ **Definition:** A lung disease caused by inhaling very fine volcanic dust or silica particles. It is often cited as one of the longest words in the English dictionary. **Example:** Workers near the erupting mountain developed a serious breathing illness from inhaling tiny ash particles over many years. --- ## 72. prestidigitation **Phonetic:** /pres-tih-dij-ih-tay-shun/ **Definition:** The performance of magic tricks, especially involving sleight of hand. It refers to the skilful use of hands to perform illusions. **Example:** The performer's quick hand movements made coins appear and disappear so smoothly that no one could detect the trick. --- ## 73. propinquity **Phonetic:** /proh-PINK-wih-tee/ **Definition:** The state of being close to someone or something in terms of distance, time, or relationship. **Example:** Living in such close nearness to one another on the small island meant that everyone knew each other well. --- ## 74. proprioception **Phonetic:** /proh-pree-oh-sep-shun/ **Definition:** The body's ability to sense its own position, movement, and balance without looking. It is the reason you can touch your nose with your eyes closed. **Example:** Even with her eyes shut, the dancer knew exactly where her arms and legs were positioned, thanks to her body's internal sense of movement. --- ## 75. psithurism **Phonetic:** /SITH-yur-iz-um/ **Definition:** The sound of wind whispering through the trees and rustling the leaves. **Example:** Lying beneath the canopy of gum trees, she found the soft _______ of leaves in the breeze deeply calming. --- ## 76. psychomachy **Phonetic:** /sy-KOM-uh-kee/ **Definition:** A conflict or battle between the soul and the body, or a struggle between good and evil within a person's mind. It is a literary term for an inner spiritual war. **Example:** The ancient allegorical poem portrayed an epic internal battle between personified virtues and deadly sins within the human soul. --- ## 77. psychotomimetic **Phonetic:** /sy-kot-oh-mim-ET-ik/ **Definition:** Describing something that produces effects on the mind that resemble symptoms of a mental disorder, often used in medical science. **Example:** The scientists investigated a substance that caused people to experience hallucinations and confusion that mimicked the symptoms of mental illness. --- ## 78. psychrophilic **Phonetic:** /sy-kroh-fil-ik/ **Definition:** Describing organisms that thrive in extremely cold temperatures. These living things grow best in icy or freezing environments. **Example:** The scientists were amazed to find tiny organisms thriving in the frozen depths of the glacier where most life cannot survive. --- ## 79. pulchritude **Phonetic:** /PUL-krih-tood/ **Definition:** Great physical beauty. Despite sounding harsh, this word actually means someone or something is extremely beautiful. **Example:** The sheer physical beauty of the mountain landscape, with its snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear lakes, was absolutely breathtaking. --- ## 80. pulchritudinous **Phonetic:** /pul-kri-TOO-din-us/ **Definition:** Having great physical beauty. It's a very fancy way of saying someone or something is extremely beautiful. **Example:** The garden was so stunning and gorgeous that visitors struggled to find words to describe its appearance. --- ## 81. pusillanimous **Phonetic:** /pyoo-sil-AN-ih-mus/ **Definition:** Showing a lack of courage or determination; being very timid. It means someone is cowardly or easily frightened. **Example:** The character in the story was so timid and cowardly that he hid under his bed at the slightest noise. --- ## 82. quinquagenarian **Phonetic:** /kwin-kwah-juh-NAIR-ee-un/ **Definition:** A person who is between 50 and 59 years old. **Example:** When Grandpa celebrated his fiftieth birthday, he joked that he had entered a whole new decade of life. --- ## 83. quodlibetical **Phonetic:** /kwod-lih-BET-ih-kul/ **Definition:** Relating to a quodlibet, which is a discussion or argument about any subject whatsoever, often philosophical or playful. **Example:** The philosophical discussion wandered freely across every imaginable topic, from the nature of time to the colour of happiness. --- ## 84. resistentialism **Phonetic:** /ree-zis-TEN-shul-iz-um/ **Definition:** The humorous belief that inanimate objects have a secret hostility towards humans and deliberately misbehave. **Example:** When the umbrella flipped inside out for the third time, Dad muttered that it was proof of _______ at work. --- ## 85. rhabdomancy **Phonetic:** /RAB-doh-man-see/ **Definition:** The practice of divination or fortune-telling using rods or sticks, such as dowsing for water. **Example:** Holding a forked stick and walking slowly across the dry paddock, the dowser relied on _______ to locate a hidden spring. --- ## 86. rhinotillexis **Phonetic:** /rye-no-tih-LEX-iss/ **Definition:** The scientific or medical term for the habit of picking one's nose. **Example:** Scientists who study this common but impolite habit of extracting things from the nasal cavity gave it a very fancy name. --- ## 87. scripturient **Phonetic:** /skrip-CHOOR-ee-unt/ **Definition:** Having a strong urge or passion for writing. **Example:** She was so _______ that she carried a journal everywhere, scribbling down thoughts at every opportunity. --- ## 88. serendipitous **Phonetic:** /ser-en-DIP-ih-tus/ **Definition:** Describing something wonderful that happens by lucky accident or chance, without anyone planning it. **Example:** Finding a rare first-edition book at a garage sale for just two dollars was a wonderfully lucky and completely unplanned discovery. --- ## 89. sesquicentennial **Phonetic:** /ses-kwih-sen-TEN-ee-ul/ **Definition:** The 150th anniversary of an important event, or a celebration marking 150 years since something happened. **Example:** The whole community came together to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of their beloved town. --- ## 90. sesquipedalian **Phonetic:** /ses-kwi-peh-DAY-lee-un/ **Definition:** Relating to or given to the use of very long words. It describes words that have many syllables or people who love using them. **Example:** The author had a habit of using extremely long and complicated words when simple ones would have worked perfectly well. --- ## 91. sesquipedalophobia **Phonetic:** /ses-kwi-ped-al-oh-FOH-bee-uh/ **Definition:** The ironic fear of long words. It is itself a very long word describing the anxiety some people feel about using or encountering lengthy words. **Example:** It was ironic that the name for the fear of long words was itself one of the longest words in the dictionary. --- ## 92. shibboleth **Phonetic:** /shib-uh-leth/ **Definition:** A custom, saying, or use of language that distinguishes one group of people from another. Originally it was a word used as a test to identify outsiders. **Example:** The way the traveller pronounced certain phrases immediately revealed to the locals that she was not from their region. --- ## 93. slubberdegullion **Phonetic:** /slub-er-dee-GUL-ee-un/ **Definition:** A dirty, messy, or worthless person. It is an old-fashioned insult that sounds quite amusing. **Example:** The grumpy old character in the play called every untidy person who entered his shop a _______. --- ## 94. sphygmomanometer **Phonetic:** /sfig-moh-muh-NOM-uh-ter/ **Definition:** The medical device that doctors wrap around your arm to measure your blood pressure. **Example:** The doctor wrapped the inflatable cuff around the patient's arm and pumped it up to measure the force of blood flowing through the arteries. --- ## 95. sternutation **Phonetic:** /stur-nyoo-TAY-shun/ **Definition:** The act of sneezing, or a sneeze. **Example:** Pepper in the air triggered an uncontrollable bout of _______ that left everyone reaching for tissues. --- ## 96. stichomythia **Phonetic:** /stik-oh-mith-ee-uh/ **Definition:** A dramatic technique in which two characters speak alternate lines of dialogue, creating a rapid back-and-forth exchange. It was commonly used in ancient Greek plays. **Example:** The two actors fired single lines back and forth at each other so rapidly that the audience could feel the tension rising. --- ## 97. succedaneum **Phonetic:** /suk-suh-day-nee-um/ **Definition:** A substitute, especially for a medicine or drug. It refers to something used in place of something else. **Example:** When the doctor could not find the exact medication, she prescribed a replacement that would work in the same way. --- ## 98. supercalifragilisticexpialidocious **Phonetic:** /soo-per-kal-ih-fraj-il-is-tik-eks-pee-al-ih-DOH-shus/ **Definition:** An invented word meaning extraordinarily wonderful or fantastic. It was made famous by the movie Mary Poppins. **Example:** The magical nanny taught the children to say something extraordinarily wonderful when they couldn't find the right word. --- ## 99. surreptitious **Phonetic:** /sur-ep-TISH-us/ **Definition:** Done secretly, without anyone noticing or knowing about it. It describes actions that are sneaky or kept hidden from others. **Example:** He made a sneaky, hidden attempt to read his sister's diary without her ever finding out. --- ## 100. sycophantic **Phonetic:** /sik-oh-FAN-tik/ **Definition:** Describing someone who flatters and praises a powerful person excessively in order to gain an advantage for themselves. **Example:** The student constantly showered the teacher with insincere compliments, hoping to receive better marks on the next assignment. --- ## 101. synecdoche **Phonetic:** /sin-EK-duh-kee/ **Definition:** A figure of speech where a part of something is used to represent the whole, or the whole is used to represent a part. For example, saying 'wheels' when you mean a car. **Example:** When someone says 'all hands on deck,' they are using a body part to refer to whole people โ€” a common figure of speech. --- ## 102. synesthesia **Phonetic:** /sin-uhs-thee-zhuh/ **Definition:** A condition where one sense triggers another, such as seeing colours when hearing music. It is a blending of the senses. **Example:** The musician described how every note she played appeared as a different colour in her mind, blending hearing and sight together. --- ## 103. syssarcosis **Phonetic:** /sis-ar-KOH-sis/ **Definition:** A type of joint where bones are connected by muscles rather than by ligaments, like the shoulder blade's attachment to the body. **Example:** The doctor explained that certain bones in the body are held together purely by surrounding muscle tissue rather than by bands of connective tissue. --- ## 104. syzygy **Phonetic:** /siz-uh-jee/ **Definition:** The alignment of three celestial bodies in a straight line, such as the sun, earth, and moon during an eclipse. It is used in astronomy to describe this rare configuration. **Example:** The astronomer explained that the spectacular eclipse happened because three heavenly bodies had lined up perfectly in a row. --- ## 105. tergiversation **Phonetic:** /tur-jiv-er-SAY-shun/ **Definition:** The act of changing your loyalty or opinions repeatedly, or being evasive about the truth. It means constantly shifting your position on something. **Example:** The leader kept switching sides and changing opinions so often that nobody trusted what she actually believed. --- ## 106. terpsichorean **Phonetic:** /turp-sih-kuh-REE-un/ **Definition:** Relating to dancing. It comes from Terpsichore, the Greek muse of dance. **Example:** The performer's graceful, spinning movements across the stage showcased her extraordinary _______ talent. --- ## 107. thalassocracy **Phonetic:** /thal-uh-SOK-ruh-see/ **Definition:** A state or empire that has power and dominance over the seas. It describes a nation whose strength comes primarily from its naval forces. **Example:** The island nation built its entire empire on the strength of its vast fleet and total command of the surrounding oceans. --- ## 108. thaumaturgy **Phonetic:** /THAW-muh-tur-jee/ **Definition:** The performance of miracles or magic; the art of working wonders. **Example:** In the fantasy novel, the wizard's wonder-working abilities allowed him to heal the sick and summon storms. --- ## 109. tintinnabulation **Phonetic:** /tin-tin-ab-yoo-LAY-shun/ **Definition:** The ringing or tinkling sound made by bells, like the musical chiming you hear from a bell tower. **Example:** The sweet, ringing sound of dozens of small bells hanging from the temple roof filled the mountain air with gentle music. --- ## 110. tmesis **Phonetic:** /tuh-mee-sis/ **Definition:** The separation of a word into two parts by inserting another word between them, often for emphasis or humour. It is a rare figure of speech. **Example:** When the excited fan exclaimed 'un-believe-able!' by splitting the word apart for dramatic effect, she was using a rare figure of speech. --- ## 111. tourbillion **Phonetic:** /toor-BIL-ee-un/ **Definition:** A whirlwind or vortex, or a complex mechanism in a watch designed to improve accuracy by counteracting the effects of gravity. **Example:** The most expensive watches in the world often contain a rotating cage mechanism that compensates for the pull of gravity. --- ## 112. triskaidekaphobia **Phonetic:** /tris-ky-dek-uh-FOH-bee-uh/ **Definition:** An extreme or irrational fear of the number thirteen. Many buildings skip the thirteenth floor because of this common superstition. **Example:** She had such an intense and irrational dread of a particular number that she refused to sit in that row at the cinema. --- ## 113. tyropagogia **Phonetic:** /ty-roh-pah-GOH-jee-ah/ **Definition:** The irrational fear or strong dislike of cheese, including its smell, taste, or appearance. **Example:** The student had such an extreme aversion to dairy products that even the sight of a block of cheddar made her feel unwell. --- ## 114. ultracrepidarian **Phonetic:** /ul-truh-krep-ih-DAIR-ee-un/ **Definition:** A person who gives opinions on subjects they know nothing about. **Example:** Despite knowing nothing about marine biology, the _______ commentator confidently explained why coral reefs were declining. --- ## 115. velleity **Phonetic:** /veh-LEE-ih-tee/ **Definition:** A wish or desire that is so weak that you make no effort to actually achieve it. **Example:** She talked about learning to play the violin, but it was only a _______ โ€” she never once picked up the instrument. --- ## 116. verisimilitude **Phonetic:** /ver-ih-sih-MIL-ih-tood/ **Definition:** The appearance of being true or real. It describes how believable or lifelike something seems, especially in stories or art. **Example:** The movie's special effects created such an incredible sense of realism that audiences forgot they were watching fiction. --- ## 117. weltanschauung **Phonetic:** /velt-ahn-show-oong/ **Definition:** A particular philosophy or view of life; a person's or group's overall worldview. It is a German word used in English to describe how someone sees everything around them. **Example:** After studying many different cultures, the student developed a broad and compassionate overall philosophy about how the world works. --- ## 118. xanthochroism **Phonetic:** /zan-THOK-roh-iz-um/ **Definition:** A rare condition in animals where the normal colouring is replaced by an unusual yellow or golden pigment. **Example:** The wildlife photographer was thrilled to capture an image of a bird whose feathers were an unusual golden colour instead of the species' typical green. --- ## 119. xenoglossy **Phonetic:** /zen-oh-GLOSS-ee/ **Definition:** The supposed ability to speak a language that one has never learned or been exposed to. **Example:** The mysterious case involved a woman who suddenly began speaking fluent Mandarin despite never having studied or heard the language. --- ## 120. zugzwang **Phonetic:** /tsoog-tsvahng/ **Definition:** A situation in chess where any move a player makes will worsen their position. It is a German word meaning 'compulsion to move.' **Example:** The chess player stared at the board in frustration, realising that every possible move would leave her in a worse position than before. ---