200 Words With Their Meanings to Improve Your Vocabulary

The English language is rich with fascinating words that are often overlooked in everyday conversations. While many people tend to stick to a small set of familiar words, expanding your vocabulary with unique and uncommon terms can not only make your speech more colorful but also help you sound more articulate and impressive. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply a lover of language, incorporating unique words with their meanings into your vocabulary can be an enjoyable and rewarding challenge.

In this article, we will introduce you to 250 distinctive words that will enhance your lexicon. Some of these words are fun to say, while others have interesting meanings or historical significance. You might already be familiar with a few of them, but we’ll explore the definitions and provide examples of how you can work them into your everyday conversations.

So, let’s dive into some amazing words with their meanings that will impress both yourself and those around you!

A to B – Unique Words and Their Meanings

1. Abomasum (noun)

• Meaning: The fourth stomach of a ruminant, such as a cow or sheep.

• Example: The abomasum of a cow is where the final digestion of food takes place.

2. Absquatulate (verb)

• Meaning: To leave abruptly.

• Example: He decided to absquatulate from the party when he saw the police arrive.

3. Adagio (adverb)

• Meaning: To perform in a slow tempo.

• Example: The pianist played the piece in an adagio style, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

4. Alfresco (adverb)

• Meaning: Taking place or located in the open air.

• Example: We had an alfresco lunch at the park, enjoying the sunny weather.

5. Alcazar (noun)

• Meaning: A Spanish palace or fortress.

• Example: The alcazar in Seville is known for its stunning Moorish architecture.

6. Amok (noun)

• Meaning: An episode of sudden mass assault against people or objects.

• Example: The crowd went amok during the championship game, causing chaos.

7. Amphisbaena (noun)

• Meaning: A mythical serpent with a head at each end.

• Example: In ancient myths, the amphisbaena was feared for its ability to attack from both ends.

8. Antimacassar (noun)

• Meaning: A small covering, typically placed on the back of a chair to protect the fabric.

• Example: The chair was adorned with a delicate antimacassar, adding a touch of elegance to the room.

9. Atingle (adjective)

• Meaning: Stimulated or excited.

• Example: She felt her nerves atingle as the final seconds of the game ticked away.

10. Bailiwick (noun)

• Meaning: A person’s area of skill, knowledge, authority, or work.

• Example: Photography is his bailiwick, and he excels at capturing moments with his camera.

11. Bafflegab (noun)

• Meaning: Confusing or unintelligible jargon.

• Example: The lawyer’s bafflegab left everyone in the room more confused than before.

12. Ballistic (adjective)

• Meaning: Having its motion determined by the laws of physics.

• Example: The rocket’s ballistic trajectory was calculated to ensure it reached the moon.

13. Bamboozle (verb)

• Meaning: To deceive or trick someone.

• Example: He managed to bamboozle his friends into believing his outrageous story.

14. Bedlam (noun)

• Meaning: A scene of wild uproar and confusion.

• Example: The streets were in bedlam after the announcement of the team’s victory.

15. Bugbear (noun)

• Meaning: A source of needless fear or annoyance.

• Example: The bugbear of her day was dealing with a never-ending stream of emails.

16. Bulbous (adjective)

• Meaning: Shaped like a bulb.

• Example: The bulbous flowers bloomed in a variety of vibrant colors.

17. Calamity (noun)

• Meaning: A great misfortune or disaster.

• Example: The earthquake was a calamity that devastated the entire city.

18. Calliope (noun)

• Meaning: A musical instrument with steam whistles activated by a keyboard.

• Example: The calliope at the carnival played a lively tune, filling the air with festive music.

19. Catamaran (noun)

• Meaning: A boat with two hulls, usually propelled by sails.

• Example: They sailed across the lake on a beautiful catamaran, enjoying the fresh breeze.

20. Convivial (adjective)

• Meaning: Friendly, sociable.

• Example: The atmosphere at the dinner party was convivial, with laughter echoing throughout the room.

Words With Their Meanings – C to F

21. Cornucopia (noun)

• Meaning: An endless supply.

• Example: The table was filled with a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, each more vibrant than the last.

22. Crescendo (noun)

• Meaning: A gradual increase in loudness.

• Example: The music reached its crescendo, and the crowd cheered in excitement.

23. Crestfallen (adjective)

• Meaning: Discouraged or disappointed.

• Example: After hearing the bad news, he felt crestfallen and lost all motivation.

24. Cryptozoology (noun)

• Meaning: The study of creatures whose existence is unproven.

• Example: Cryptozoology explores the mysteries of mythical creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.

25. Demitasse (noun)

• Meaning: A small cup for strong coffee, often served after dinner.

• Example: They sipped their demitasse cups of espresso, savoring the rich flavor.

26. Derecho (noun)

• Meaning: A powerful windstorm with rapidly moving thunderstorms.

• Example: The derecho caused widespread damage, leaving many homes without power.

27. Diphthong (noun)

• Meaning: A sound formed by combining two vowels in a single syllable.

• Example: The diphthong in the word “coin” makes it a unique sound in English.

28. Doldrums (noun)

• Meaning: A state of inactivity or stagnation.

• Example: The project hit the doldrums, and no progress was made for weeks.

29. Doohickey (noun)

• Meaning: A small gadget or mechanical device.

• Example: He fiddled with the doohickey on his desk, trying to figure out what it did.

30. Doppelgänger (noun)

• Meaning: A ghostly double or counterpart of a person.

• Example: She claimed to have seen her doppelgänger at the party, even though she was standing right there.

Unique Words With Their Meanings – D to H

31. Dumfounded (adjective)

• Meaning: Speechless with amazement or surprise.

• Example: The magician left the audience dumfounded with his incredible tricks.

32. Earwig (noun)

• Meaning: An insect with large pincers at the back of its abdomen.

• Example: The earwig scurried across the table, its pincers moving rapidly.

33. Elixir (noun)

• Meaning: A sweetened, aromatic solution of alcohol and water used for medicinal purposes.

• Example: The apothecary handed her a small bottle of elixir to cure her cold.

34. Ephemeral (adjective)

• Meaning: Lasting for a very short time.

• Example: The beauty of the sunset was ephemeral, disappearing as quickly as it arrived.

35. Ersatz (adjective)

• Meaning: Serving as a substitute, usually of inferior quality.

• Example: The coffee tasted like ersatz, lacking the rich flavor of freshly brewed beans.

36. Finagle (verb)

• Meaning: To cheat or deceive someone in a tricky manner.

• Example: He tried to finagle his way into getting a free meal at the restaurant.

37. Festooned (noun)

• Meaning: A decorative string or chain of flowers or ribbons.

• Example: The ballroom was festooned with ivy and twinkling lights for the celebration.

38. Fez (noun)

• Meaning: A felt cap, usually red, worn by men.

• Example: The soldier wore a traditional fez as part of his uniform.

39. Flimflam (noun)

• Meaning: A trick or deception designed to fool someone.

• Example: The politician’s speech was full of flimflam, with no real substance.

40. Flummery (noun)

• Meaning: A type of oatmeal or flour boiled with water until thick; or meaningless talk.

• Example: The speech was full of flummery, and no real answers were provided.

41. Flyspeck (noun)

• Meaning: A tiny stain or mark.

• Example: He wiped the flyspeck off the book cover, careful not to damage it further.

42. Foofaraw (noun)

• Meaning: A great fuss or disturbance about something insignificant.

• Example: The entire office was in a foofaraw over the new coffee machine that didn’t even work.

43. Fracas (noun)

• Meaning: A noisy, disorderly disturbance or fight.

• Example: A fracas broke out between the rival teams during the match.

44. Frangipani (noun)

• Meaning: A tropical flower known for its sweet fragrance, or a perfume made from this flower.

• Example: The frangipani scent filled the air, reminding her of a tropical vacation.

45. Fuddy-duddy (noun)

• Meaning: A person who is old-fashioned or conservative.

• Example: He was considered a fuddy-duddy for refusing to adopt any new technology.

46. Futz (verb)

• Meaning: To waste time or dawdle.

• Example: Stop futzing around and get to work if you want to finish by tomorrow.

47. Gadzooks (interjection)

• Meaning: An exclamation of surprise or astonishment.

• Example: Gadzooks! I can’t believe you actually did that!

48. Gambit (noun)

• Meaning: A strategic move or opening remark designed to gain an advantage.

• Example: The CEO’s gambit in the meeting caught everyone by surprise and turned the discussion in his favor.

49. Gazebo (noun)

• Meaning: A freestanding, open-sided structure often found in parks or gardens.

• Example: They danced beneath the stars in the gazebo, enjoying the warm summer night.

50. Gizmo (noun)

• Meaning: A small mechanical or electronic device, often used when the exact name is unknown.

• Example: I need that gizmo from the kitchen drawer to fix the sink.

51. Glabella (noun)

• Meaning: The area between the eyebrows, often referred to in anatomy.

• Example: She frowned, creating a wrinkle across her glabella.

52. Gossamer (noun)

• Meaning: A delicate, lightweight fabric or material; also refers to fine, filmy cobwebs.

• Example: The butterfly’s wings shimmered in the light, as fragile and light as gossamer.

53. Guffaw (noun)

• Meaning: A loud, unrestrained burst of laughter.

• Example: He let out a hearty guffaw when he heard the joke, causing everyone else to laugh too.

54. Guru (noun)

• Meaning: A spiritual leader or expert in a particular field.

• Example: She became a guru in the world of mindfulness and meditation.

55. Haboob (noun)

• Meaning: A strong, dust-filled windstorm, particularly common in desert regions.

• Example: The haboob swept through the city, reducing visibility to almost nothing.

56. Halcyon (adjective)

• Meaning: Calm, peaceful, or tranquil.

• Example: The beach was halcyon at sunrise, with the gentle waves lapping at the shore.

57. Haphazard (adjective)

• Meaning: Lacking order or planning, random.

• Example: The papers were piled in a haphazard fashion on the desk, making it impossible to find anything.

58. Headlong (adverb)

• Meaning: Moving with the head foremost or in a hurried, reckless manner.

• Example: The runner charged headlong into the finish line, determined to win the race.

59. Heyday (noun)

• Meaning: The period of greatest success, strength, or popularity.

• Example: The band was at its heyday in the 1990s, with hits topping the charts regularly.

60. Hodgepodge (noun)

• Meaning: A mixture of different things, often jumbled together.

• Example: The recipe called for a hodgepodge of ingredients, resulting in a surprisingly delicious dish.

Unique Words With Their Meanings – H to Z

61. Hokum (noun)

• Meaning: Out-and-out nonsense or foolishness.

• Example: The movie was full of hokum, with no real plot or depth.

62. Hooligan (noun)

• Meaning: A young troublemaker or lawless person.

• Example: The hooligans caused chaos at the soccer match, ruining the fun for everyone else.

63. Hullabaloo (noun)

• Meaning: A loud, noisy uproar or commotion.

• Example: There was a great hullabaloo when the celebrity arrived at the event.

64. Huzzah (interjection)

• Meaning: An exclamation of joy, praise, or approval.

• Example: Huzzah! The team finally won after years of hard work and determination.

65. Ignoramus (noun)

• Meaning: An extremely ignorant or uninformed person.

• Example: The politician was labeled an ignoramus for making such uninformed statements.

66. Infinitesimal (adjective)

• Meaning: Extremely small or minute.

• Example: The chances of winning the lottery are infinitesimal, yet people continue to try their luck.

67. Interrobang (noun)

• Meaning: A punctuation mark combining a question mark and exclamation point (‽).

• Example: She ended the email with an interrobang to express her shock and disbelief.

68. Izzard (noun)

• Meaning: The letter Z.

• Example: The izzard was essential in spelling words like “zebra” and “zoo.”

69. Jabberwocky (noun)

• Meaning: A playful use of language consisting of made-up, meaningless words.

• Example: The poem Jabberwocky is full of fun jabberwocky, making it a delight to read.

70. Jalopy (noun)

• Meaning: An old, decrepit, or rundown automobile.

• Example: He drove an old jalopy, which barely started and had a loud engine.

71. Jitney (noun)

• Meaning: A small bus or vehicle that picks up passengers along a fixed route.

• Example: We took the jitney to get to the beach, which was much cheaper than a taxi.

72. Juggernaut (noun)

• Meaning: A powerful, overwhelming force or entity.

• Example: The company’s marketing campaign became a juggernaut, outpacing all competitors.

73. Juxtaposition (noun)

• Meaning: The act of placing two things side by side for comparison or contrast.

• Example: The artist’s work featured a striking juxtaposition of light and dark colors.

74. Kaput (adjective)

• Meaning: Broken, ruined, or destroyed.

• Example: After the storm, the old barn was kaput, with no chance of being salvaged.

75. Kerfuffle (noun)

• Meaning: A commotion or fuss, often over something insignificant.

• Example: There was a small kerfuffle in the office when someone misplaced the coffee machine.

76. Kerplunk (adverb)

• Meaning: A sudden muffled thud or crash.

• Example: The ball fell into the water with a kerplunk, causing a splash.

77. Kismet (noun)

• Meaning: Destiny or fate.

• Example: It seemed like kismet that they met on the same flight to Paris.

78. Kumquat (noun)

• Meaning: A small citrus fruit with a sweet rind and sour pulp.

• Example: I love the tangy taste of kumquats, especially in salads.

79. Kvetch (verb)

• Meaning: To complain or whine, especially about trivial matters.

• Example: Stop kvetching about the weather and enjoy the sunshine!

80. Lackadaisical (adjective)

• Meaning: Lacking enthusiasm or energy; lazy.

• Example: His lackadaisical attitude toward studying meant he was always behind on assignments.

81. Lampoon (noun)

• Meaning: A sharp, often satirical criticism or ridicule.

• Example: The comedian’s lampoon of political figures had the audience in stitches.

82. Limburger (noun)

• Meaning: A strong-smelling soft cheese.

• Example: The smell of limburger cheese lingered in the room, making it hard to breathe.

83. Lollapalooza (noun)

• Meaning: An extraordinary or unusual person, event, or thing.

• Example: The concert was a lollapalooza, featuring an incredible lineup of bands.

84. Lollygag (verb)

• Meaning: To spend time aimlessly, doing nothing.

• Example: Stop lollygagging and get to work, or we’ll never finish the project.

85. Lugubrious (adjective)

• Meaning: Mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an exaggerated way.

• Example: His lugubrious expression made everyone wonder what was wrong.

86. Lummox (noun)

• Meaning: A clumsy or stupid person.

• Example: He knocked over the lamp in his usual lummox fashion, breaking it on impact.

87. Machinations (noun)

• Meaning: Scheming actions or plots.

• Example: The machinations of the corporate executives led to their eventual downfall.

88. Maelstrom (noun)

• Meaning: A powerful whirlpool or storm; a chaotic situation.

• Example: The protest turned into a maelstrom, with people shouting and pushing in all directions.

89. Manifesto (noun)

• Meaning: A public declaration of intentions or beliefs.

• Example: The political party published its manifesto, outlining its plans for the future.

90. Miffed (adjective)

• Meaning: Irritated or upset.

• Example: She was a little miffed when she didn’t get invited to the party.

91. Moocher (verb)

• Meaning: To borrow without intending to repay; to sponge off others.

• Example: He’s always mooching food off his friends without ever offering to return the favor.

92. Mnemonic (adjective)

• Meaning: Assisting or intended to help with memory.

• Example: She used a mnemonic device to remember the steps in the scientific method.

93. Mufti (noun)

• Meaning: Civilian clothes, especially worn by military personnel when off duty.

• Example: The soldiers arrived at the party dressed in mufti, no longer in uniform.

94. Mulligatawny (noun)

• Meaning: A curry-flavored soup of East Indian origin, typically made with meat, vegetables, and rice.

• Example: I tried a delicious mulligatawny soup at the Indian restaurant last night.

95. Murmuration (noun)

• Meaning: A group of birds, particularly starlings, flying in coordinated patterns.

• Example: The murmuration of starlings in the sky was a breathtaking sight.

96. Muumuu (noun)

• Meaning: A loose, brightly colored dress, typically worn in Hawaii.

• Example: She wore a floral muumuu to the beach for comfort and style.

97. Nabob (noun)

• Meaning: A very wealthy and influential person.

• Example: The nabob of the tech world is known for his philanthropic endeavors.

98. Nagware (noun)

• Meaning: Software that nags or frequently reminds users to register or pay after a trial period.

• Example: The trial version of the software was full of nagware pop-ups asking for payment.

99. Nainsook (noun)

• Meaning: A soft, fine cotton fabric, often used for lingerie or baby clothing.

• Example: She wore a delicate nainsook dress to the garden party.

100. Nesh (adjective)

• Meaning: Sensitive to the cold.

• Example: He’s so nesh that he wears a jacket in the middle of summer.

101. Noctambulist (noun)

• Meaning: A sleepwalker.

• Example: The noctambulist wandered through the house at night, unaware of his surroundings.

102. Nonplussed (adjective)

• Meaning: Confused or unsure of how to react.

• Example: She was nonplussed by the unexpected question during the interview.

103. Noyade (noun)

• Meaning: An execution carried out by drowning.

• Example: The noyade was a cruel and inhumane form of punishment used during the French Revolution.

104. Ogdoad (noun)

• Meaning: The number eight, or a group of eight.

• Example: The ogdoad is a term used in ancient philosophy to describe a group of eight primordial deities.

105. Omphalos (noun)

• Meaning: The central point or focus of something.

• Example: The ancient Greeks believed that the omphalos was the center of the world.

106. Operose (adjective)

• Meaning: Involving much labor or effort; industrious.

• Example: The task was operose, requiring hours of meticulous attention to detail.

107. Orrery (noun)

• Meaning: A mechanical model of the solar system, showing the relative positions and motions of the planets.

• Example: The orrery in the museum demonstrated the intricate movements of the planets around the sun.

108. Otalgia (noun)

• Meaning: Earache or pain in the ear.

• Example: He complained of otalgia after swimming in the cold lake.

109. Oxymoron (noun)

• Meaning: A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.

• Example: “Jumbo shrimp” is a classic example of an oxymoron.

110. Pantagruelian (noun)

• Meaning: Referring to the spirit of exaggerated humor or absurdity, based on the character of Pantagruel from Rabelais’ works.

• Example: The film had a Pantagruelian sense of humor, with exaggerated and ridiculous events.

111. Paraph (noun)

• Meaning: A flourish made after a signature, originally to prevent forgery.

• Example: He added a unique paraph at the end of his signature for security.

112. Peely-wally (adjective)

• Meaning: Scottish slang for being pale or off-color.

• Example: She looked a bit peely-wally after the long illness.

113. Peterman (noun)

• Meaning: A safecracker or thief.

• Example: The detective chased down the notorious peterman, who had been responsible for several robberies.

114. Pilgarlic (noun)

• Meaning: A person regarded with mild contempt or pity.

• Example: The pilgarlic was always the subject of mockery at the office for his outdated ideas.

115. Pollex (noun)

• Meaning: The thumb, especially in reference to anatomy.

• Example: The pollex plays a crucial role in gripping and manipulating objects.

116. Pother (noun)

• Meaning: A commotion or fuss, often over something insignificant.

• Example: The whole office was in a pother over the missing stapler.

117. Previse (verb)

• Meaning: To foresee or predict.

• Example: She was able to previse the outcome of the election due to her extensive research.

118. Pugnacious (adjective)

• Meaning: Inclined to fight or quarrel readily.

• Example: The pugnacious boxer challenged anyone who dared to face him in the ring.

119. Quibble (noun)

• Meaning: A slight objection or argument, often over trivial details.

• Example: They started a quibble over the smallest details of the report, wasting precious time.

120. Quicksilver (noun)

• Meaning: The metallic element mercury, or a term for something highly changeable.

• Example: His emotions were like quicksilver, always changing in the blink of an eye.

121. Quiddle (verb)

• Meaning: To spend time in trifling or insignificant activities.

• Example: Instead of finishing his work, he continued to quiddle away the hours.

122. Quinze (noun)

• Meaning: A card game similar to vingt-et-un, played to reach the number 15.

• Example: They played quinze for hours, enjoying the challenge and friendly competition.

123. Quirky (adjective)

• Meaning: Full of unique or unconventional characteristics.

• Example: She had a quirky sense of humor that made everyone laugh in unexpected ways.

124. Quixotic (adjective)

• Meaning: Extravagantly chivalrous or romantic, often unrealistic or impractical.

• Example: His quixotic quest to save the world from pollution inspired many, even though it seemed impossible.

125. Raconteur (noun)

• Meaning: A skilled storyteller, especially one who can captivate an audience.

• Example: He was a natural raconteur, always ready to tell a fascinating tale at any gathering.

126. Ragamuffin (noun)

• Meaning: A person, especially a child, who is dressed in ragged clothes.

• Example: The street was full of ragamuffins, all with dirt on their faces and a mischievous gleam in their eyes.

127. Razzia (noun)

• Meaning: A raid or plundering attack.

• Example: The pirates launched a razzia on the coastal village, taking everything they could carry.

128. Razzmatazz (noun)

• Meaning: Extravagant or showy activity meant to impress.

• Example: The concert was full of razzmatazz, with flashy lights and impressive special effects.

129. Rejigger (verb)

• Meaning: To rearrange or alter something, especially in a new or unexpected way.

• Example: He had to rejigger the presentation to fit into the new time slot.

130. Rendezvous (noun)

• Meaning: A meeting at a predetermined time and place.

• Example: The two spies agreed on a secret rendezvous in the city park.

131. Resplendent (adjective)

• Meaning: Shining brilliantly, radiant, or splendid.

• Example: The resplendent sunset painted the sky with hues of orange and pink.

132. Rickrack (noun)

• Meaning: A narrow, zigzagging trim often used in decorating clothing or textiles.

• Example: The dress was embellished with colorful rickrack along the hemline.

133. Ricochet (noun)

• Meaning: A rebounding motion, often used to describe the bouncing of a bullet or projectile.

• Example: The bullet ricocheted off the wall, narrowly missing the target.

134. Riffraff (noun)

• Meaning: People regarded as disreputable or worthless.

• Example: The high-class party was not open to the riffraff from the streets.

135. Rigmarole (noun)

• Meaning: An elaborate, often confusing procedure or story.

• Example: The process of getting a refund was such a rigmarole that I gave up halfway through.

136. Roundabout (adjective)

• Meaning: Indirect or circuitous in manner or route.

• Example: He gave a roundabout answer to avoid addressing the main issue.

137. Ruckus (noun)

• Meaning: A noisy, disorderly disturbance.

• Example: There was a ruckus outside the store when the new product was launched.

138. Ruffian (noun)

• Meaning: A tough, lawless person, often involved in violence or criminal activity.

• Example: The ruffian intimidated everyone at the bar with his rough demeanor.

139. Rugrat (noun)

• Meaning: A young child, especially one who is very active.

• Example: The daycare was filled with rugrats running around and playing.

140. Rumper (noun)

• Meaning: The hind part or rear of an animal.

• Example: The rumper of the horse was covered with mud after the race.

141. Rumpus (noun)

• Meaning: A noisy or violent disturbance or commotion.

• Example: There was a rumpus in the hallway as the students fought over the last piece of candy.

142. Sabayon (noun)

• Meaning: A French dessert made of egg yolks, sugar, and wine or brandy.

• Example: We had sabayon for dessert, which was light and delicious after the main course.

143. Sarmie (noun)

• Meaning: A sandwich, especially one prepared informally.

• Example: He packed a quick sarmie for lunch while heading out the door.

144. Scofflaw (noun)

• Meaning: A person who flouts the law, especially by not paying fines or abiding by regulations.

• Example: The scofflaw refused to pay his parking tickets, ignoring repeated warnings.

145. Sassafras (noun)

• Meaning: An American tree with aromatic leaves, often used in root beer flavoring.

• Example: The roots of the sassafras tree are used to make a traditional herbal tea.

146. Saucier (noun)

• Meaning: A chef who specializes in making sauces.

• Example: The saucier prepared a rich béarnaise sauce that was the highlight of the meal.

147. Saudade (noun)

• Meaning: A deep emotional state of longing or melancholy for someone or something that is absent.

• Example: The song evoked feelings of saudade, as the singer reminisced about their homeland.

148. Scalawag (noun)

• Meaning: A rascal or mischievous person, often used to describe someone who is untrustworthy.

• Example: The scalawag tricked everyone into believing his lies, gaining their trust and money.

149. Scatterbrain (noun)

• Meaning: A person who is forgetful or lacks focus.

• Example: She’s a bit of a scatterbrain, always misplacing her keys and forgetting appointments.

150. Schadenfreude (noun)

• Meaning: The pleasure derived from another person’s misfortune.

• Example: His schadenfreude was evident when he laughed at his rival’s mistake.

151. Schlep (verb)

• Meaning: To carry something heavy or cumbersome with difficulty.

• Example: He had to schlep the boxes up four flights of stairs.

152. Schmooze (verb)

• Meaning: To chat in a friendly, sometimes superficial way to gain favor or create a connection.

• Example: At the networking event, he spent most of his time schmoozing with potential clients.

153. Scintillating (adjective)

• Meaning: Sparkling or shining brightly; brilliantly clever or lively.

• Example: Her scintillating conversation about science captivated everyone at the dinner table.

154. Scrofulous (adjective)

• Meaning: Morally corrupt or tainted.

• Example: The scrofulous actions of the corporate executives were exposed in the investigation.

155. Scrumdiddlyumptious (adjective)

• Meaning: Extremely delicious or tasty.

• Example: The cake was so scrumdiddlyumptious that I had to have another slice.

156. Scuttlebutt (noun)

• Meaning: A rumor or gossip, especially in a workplace or social environment.

• Example: There was a lot of scuttlebutt about the company’s new CEO during lunch break.

157. Serendipity (noun)

• Meaning: The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

• Example: Meeting her at the bookstore was pure serendipity, and they became lifelong friends.

158. Sesquipedalian (adjective)

• Meaning: Given to using long words.

• Example: His sesquipedalian speech left the audience impressed but confused by the complexity of his vocabulary.

159. Shenanigans (noun)

• Meaning: Mischief, pranks, or playful activity.

• Example: The kids were involved in some harmless shenanigans during recess, hiding the teacher’s chalk.

160. Skedaddle (verb)

• Meaning: To leave quickly or hurry away.

• Example: When the bell rang, the students skedaddled out of the classroom to enjoy their break.

161. Skirmish (noun)

• Meaning: A brief, minor conflict or confrontation.

• Example: A skirmish broke out between the two groups during the debate.

162. Skullduggery (noun)

• Meaning: Dishonorable or deceptive behavior, trickery.

• Example: The politician’s campaign was marred by skullduggery and corruption.

163. Slapdash (adverb)

• Meaning: Done in a hasty, careless manner.

• Example: He completed the report in a slapdash way, leading to several mistakes.

164. Slipshod (adjective)

• Meaning: Careless or poorly done.

• Example: The slipshod construction of the building led to its eventual collapse.

165. Smithereens (noun)

• Meaning: Small pieces or fragments, often resulting from an explosion.

• Example: The vase shattered into smithereens when it fell off the shelf.

166. Smorgasbord (noun)

• Meaning: A buffet-style meal with a variety of dishes.

• Example: The wedding reception featured a smorgasbord with something for everyone.

167. Snollygoster (noun)

• Meaning: A clever, unscrupulous person.

• Example: The politician was called a snollygoster for his dishonest tactics during the campaign.

168. Sobriquet (noun)

• Meaning: A nickname or affectionate title.

• Example: He was given the sobriquet “The King of Pop” for his incredible influence on music.

169. Sockdolager (noun)

• Meaning: A decisive blow or finishing touch.

• Example: His last statement was the sockdolager, leaving no room for further debate.

170. Solander (noun)

• Meaning: A protective case used to store maps or other documents.

• Example: The ancient maps were carefully placed in a solander to preserve their condition.

171. Spaghettification (noun)

• Meaning: The stretching of an object due to extreme differences in gravitational forces, especially near a black hole.

• Example: The astronaut theorized about the spaghettification that would occur near a black hole.

172. Spellbind (verb)

• Meaning: To fascinate or captivate someone completely.

• Example: The storyteller’s voice spellbound the audience, keeping them on the edge of their seats.