The 10 Hardest Words in the Dictionary

The language experts at Preplay have identified ten of the longest words in the English dictionary – check them out here:

 

1. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (45 letters) 

 

Taking the crown for the longest word in standard dictionaries is a word that has 45 letters, pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. The word refers to a lung disease triggered by breathing in very fine silicate or quartz dust. 

Pronunciation:  “Nyoo·muh·now·uhl·truh·mai·kruh·sko·puhk·si·luh·kow·vol·kay·now·kow·nuh·ow·suhs”

 

2. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (36 letters) 

 

Being the second longest word in the dictionary, it is ironic that hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the name for a fear of long words. 

 

Pronunciation: 

“Hi-poh-po-toh-mon-stroh-ses-kwee-peh-dah-leejoh-foh-beejah”

 

3. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (34 letters)

 

A term coined by our favorite British nanny Mary Poppins, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious refers to something extraordinarily good or wonderful. 

 

Pronunciation “Soo·puh·ka·luh·fra·juh·luh·stuh·kek·spee·a·luh·dow·shuhs”

 

4. Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (30 letters)

 

In the medical world, pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism is an inherited condition that causes short stature, round face, and short hand bones. 

 

Pronunciation: “Pseu‧do‧pseu‧do‧hy‧po‧par‧a‧thy‧roid‧ism” 

 

5. Floccinaucinihilipilification (29 letters)

 

Floccinaucinihilipilification refers to the act or habit of categorising something as having no value or being worthless. Despite its meaning, the word is generally used in a humorous context. 

 

Pronunciation: “Flok-si-naw-si-ni-hi-li-pi-li-cay-shun”

 

6. Antidisestablishmentarianism (28 letters)

 

British history enthusiasts are supposed to know this – but antidisestablishmentarianism refers to a political movement in 19th-century Britain that was determined to separate the Church and the state. 

 

Pronunciation: “An·tee·di·suh·sta·bluhsh·muhn·teuhree·uh·ni·zm”

 

7. Honorificabilitudinitatibus (27 letters)

 

Derived from Medieval Latin, honorificabilitudinitatibus refers to the “state of being able to achieve honours”. 

 

Pronunciation: “Ho-no-ri-fi-ka-bi-li-tu-di-ni-ta-ti-bus”

 

8. Thyroparathyroidectomized (25 letters) 

 

Thyroparathyroidectomized refers to the surgical removal of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. 

 

Pronunciation: “Thy-ro-para-thy-ro-dec-tom-ized”

 

9. Dichlorodifluoromethane (23 letters)

 

This is a colorless nonflammable gas that is liquefied by pressure. 

 

Pronunciation: “Dahy-klawr-oh-dahy-floo r-oh-meth-eyn” 

 

10. Incomprehensibilities (21 letters)

 

This word refers to the state of being impossible or very difficult to understand. 

 

Pronunciation: “In-compre-hen-sibil-ities"