The 1o most beautiful words in English
English is a language that has unusual origins, a fascinating history, and an incomparable vocabulary in terms of magnitude and variety. Although choosing the prettiest English words out of a vocabulary of approximately 750,000 words is not easy (yes, there are SO MANY English words!), We never shy away from a challenge.
We have asked our team of writers – native and non-native English speakers – to choose their all-time favorites, from the most authentically pretty to the most extravagant …
1. Bumblebee
Meaning: big, sociable hairy bumblebee that flies making a loud buzz (bumblebee)
Beautiful because: it is a very beautiful name for a very beautiful insect. “Onomatopoetic,” that is, it sounds like what it describes, a chubby bumblebee that hovers around and goes from flower to flower awkwardly (bumbling around)
2. Heaven
Meaning: the residence of God or, informally, the experience of absolute happiness
Nice because: it sounds heavenly. Sigh a little as you speak it out loud, and let the soft, delicate reverberations transport you directly to your own little slice of heaven
3. Although
Meaning: despite the fact that; However; but
Beautiful because: it expresses some type of conflict with great ease. Try to stretch the word as you say it to increase its power, or use it as a crutch when thinking about the answer to a statement you want to refute.
4. Wonder
Meaning: a feeling of amazement, caused by something beautiful or, as a verb, feeling curious
Nice because: the sound fits perfectly with the meaning. It’s easy to pronounce, it ends in an open, light way (no loud sounds), giving you room for your mind to wander (or wonder!)
5. Discombobulate
Meaning: to confuse or confuse (someone)
Nice because: the vocabulary gods took the letters out of a hat to make this word. It is so random that it is beautiful. It also creates wonderful anagrams: mix the letters and you will get names of music groups like “Abducted Mob Silo” and “Basic Doubt Model”, stars waiting for someone to discover them, don’t you think?
6. Belly button
Meaning: a person’s navel
Pretty because: she’s cute, cute, and a bit of a weird name for something that’s basically a scar. This must have been invented by a (very imaginative) child.
7. Fluffy
Meaning: lint covered; some synonyms are furry, shaggy, downy
Beautiful because: the Efes give lightness to the word, perfectly illustrating the adjective. Also, it is used to describe the most adorable things in life: dogs, cats, clouds, and pillows.
8. Silky
Meaning: silk or silk-like; smooth, fine, glossy
Nice because: it is another word that has to do with comfort. The one at the beginning of the word perfectly conveys the shiny and smooth texture of silk.
9. Phenomenal
Meaning: extraordinary, exceptional, exceptionally good
Nice because: Phe-nom-e-nal. Sounds good right? The four syllables roll off the tongue in such a delightfully rhythmic way that you will never again use the words remarkable or exceptional.
10. Unicorn
Meaning: mythological horse-like animal with a straight horn protruding from its forehead
Beautiful because: it is pure magic. A childhood favorite, and the theme of the evocatively beautiful song from the movie The Last Unicorn (look it up on YouTube!)
