Do you know how to say ‘smiling’ but in a scientific way?

We’ve found that long English words often scare people away from reading and writing.

But here’s the fun part: these words aren’t as hard as they look.

In this post, we’ll share 101 of the longest words in English that will make you sound smart (and maybe get a few laughs, too).

We’ll break them down into bite-sized pieces so you can learn them without getting a headache.

Trust us, by the end of this post, you’ll be dropping these words into conversations like it’s no big deal.

Let’s start our word-learning trip with the really big ones!

Scientific and Medical Terms

1. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (45 letters)

Meaning: A lung illness caused by breathing in tiny bits of dust or ash.
Examples:

• The miner developed pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis after years of working in the coal mines.
• Proper safety measures can prevent pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis in high-risk professions.

2. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (36 letters)

Meaning: The fear of long words.
Examples:

• Ironically, people with hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia dread saying the name of their own condition.
• The teacher used shorter words to accommodate a student with hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.

3. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (34 letters)

Meaning: A made-up word meaning something really good or special.
Examples:

• The musical performance was absolutely supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
• She felt supercalifragilisticexpialidocious after receiving the award.

4. Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (30 letters)

Meaning: A mild form of a condition affecting calcium levels in the body.
Examples:

• The doctor explained that pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism was manageable with proper medication.
• Her symptoms were linked to pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism, a rare genetic disorder.

5. Floccinaucinihilipilification (29 letters)

Meaning: The act of saying something has no value.
Examples:

• Critics often engage in the floccinaucinihilipilification of new art styles.
• His constant floccinaucinihilipilification of my efforts was demotivating.

6. Electroencephalography (23 letters)

Meaning: Related to recording brain wave patterns.
Examples:

• The patient underwent an electroencephalography test to diagnose epilepsy.
• Electroencephalography studies help in understanding brain activity.

7. Immunoelectrophoresis (21 letters)

Meaning: A method to study proteins in blood.
Examples:

• Immunoelectrophoresis is essential for identifying protein abnormalities.
• The laboratory conducted immunoelectrophoresis to confirm the diagnosis.

8. Incomprehensibilities (21 letters)

Meaning: Things that cannot be understood.
Examples:

• The complexity of the theory left him pondering over its incomprehensibilities.
• Some philosophical texts are filled with incomprehensibilities.

9. Otorhinolaryngological (20 letters)

Meaning: Related to ear, nose, and throat medicine.
Examples:

• She consulted an otorhinolaryngological specialist for her persistent earache.
• Otorhinolaryngological procedures often require precision and expertise.

10. Phosphatidylcholine (19 letters)

Meaning: A type of fat found in cells.
Examples:

• Phosphatidylcholine supplements are often used to improve liver health.
• Scientists are studying the role of phosphatidylcholine in cell membranes.

11. Deinstitutionalization (22 letters)

Meaning: The process of removing people from institutions.
Examples:

• Deinstitutionalization led to community-based care for many patients.
• The government prioritized deinstitutionalization to reduce costs.

12. Counterintelligence (19 letters)

Meaning: Information gathered to protect against spying.
Examples:

• The agency focused on counterintelligence to thwart espionage threats.
• Successful counterintelligence operations prevented data leaks.

13. Hyperalimentation (17 letters)

Meaning: Giving extra nutrition through tubes.
Examples:

• Hyperalimentation was necessary to support the critically ill patient.
• The doctors discussed using hyperalimentation for long-term care.

14. Cholangiography (14 letters)

Meaning: Taking pictures of bile ducts.
Examples:

• The surgeon used cholangiography to locate the blockage in the bile duct.
• Cholangiography is a crucial tool in diagnosing gallbladder diseases.

15. Lymphadenopathy (14 letters)

Meaning: Swollen lymph nodes.
Examples:

• The patient’s lymphadenopathy was a sign of an underlying infection.
• Persistent lymphadenopathy requires further medical investigation.

16. Ophthalmoscopy (13 letters)

Meaning: Looking inside the eye.
Examples:

• The optometrist performed an ophthalmoscopy to check for retinal issues.
• Ophthalmoscopy helps in early detection of eye diseases.

17. Bronchoscopy (12 letters)

Meaning: Looking inside the airways.
Examples:

• A bronchoscopy was conducted to remove the foreign object in his airway.
• The doctor ordered a bronchoscopy to diagnose the chronic cough.

18. Microbiologist (13 letters)

Meaning: Someone who studies tiny life forms.
Examples:

• The microbiologist discovered a new strain of bacteria.
• As a microbiologist, she spent hours examining microorganisms under a microscope.

19. Endocrinology (12 letters)

Meaning: Study of hormones.
Examples:

• Endocrinology focuses on disorders like diabetes and thyroid issues.
• He specialized in endocrinology after completing his medical degree.

20. Neuroplasticity (14 letters)

Meaning: The brain’s ability to change.
Examples:

• Neuroplasticity enables the brain to recover from injuries.
• Learning new skills enhances neuroplasticity in adults.

Phobias and Psychological Terms

21. Spectrophobia (13 letters)

Meaning: Fear of mirrors or one’s reflection.
Examples:

• Her spectrophobia made her avoid rooms with mirrors entirely.
• People with spectrophobia often feel uneasy around reflective surfaces.

22. Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia (30 letters)

Meaning: Fear of the number 666.
Examples:

• Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia made her avoid anything with the number 666.
• Due to hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia, he refused to stay in room 666 at the hotel.

23. Arachibutyrophobia (17 letters)

Meaning: Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.
Examples:

• His arachibutyrophobia kept him from eating peanut butter sandwiches.
• The child’s arachibutyrophobia made her anxious during snack time.

24. Gymnophobia (11 letters)

Meaning: Fear of seeing bare bodies.
Examples:

• Gymnophobia caused him discomfort in locker rooms.
• Her gymnophobia made visiting art galleries with nude statues challenging.

25. Trypanophobia (12 letters)

Meaning: Fear of needles or injections.
Examples:

• Trypanophobia made him avoid medical check-ups.
• Children with trypanophobia often struggle during vaccination drives.

26. Claustrophobia (13 letters)

Meaning: Fear of small spaces.
Examples:

• Claustrophobia kept her from using elevators.
• His claustrophobia made the crowded subway ride unbearable.

27. Agoraphobia (11 letters)

Meaning: Fear of open or crowded places.
Examples:

• She rarely left her home due to severe agoraphobia.
• Agoraphobia made attending large gatherings impossible for him.

28. Ophthalmophobia (14 letters)

Meaning: Fear of being watched.
Examples:

• His ophthalmophobia caused him to avoid public speaking.
• Ophthalmophobia can make social interactions very challenging.

29. Omphalophobia (12 letters)

Meaning: Fear of belly buttons.
Examples:

• Her omphalophobia prevented her from wearing cropped tops.
• Omphalophobia made him uneasy during certain medical examinations.

30. Acrophobia (10 letters)

Meaning: Fear of heights.
Examples:

• Acrophobia kept her from enjoying mountain hikes.
• His acrophobia made standing on tall buildings a nightmare.

31. Bibliophobia (11 letters)

Meaning: Fear of books.
Examples:

• Bibliophobia made reading assignments in school very stressful for her.
• Despite his bibliophobia, he was encouraged to explore audiobooks.

32. Cynophobia (10 letters)

Meaning: Fear of dogs.
Examples:

• Her cynophobia made her avoid parks with dog-friendly zones.
• Cynophobia often stems from traumatic past experiences with dogs.

33. Hydrophobia (10 letters)

Meaning: Fear of water.
Examples:

• Hydrophobia kept him from swimming lessons as a child.
• She avoided beach vacations due to her hydrophobia.

34. Mysophobia (10 letters)

Meaning: Fear of germs.
Examples:

• His mysophobia made frequent handwashing a compulsion.
• Mysophobia often leads to avoiding physical contact with others.

35. Nyctophobia (11 letters)

Meaning: Fear of darkness.
Examples:

• Nyctophobia caused her to sleep with a nightlight.
• His nyctophobia worsened during power outages.

36. Xenophobia (10 letters)

Meaning: Fear of Outsiders.
Examples:

• Xenophobia made her hesitant to travel to unfamiliar places.
• His xenophobia impacted his ability to form new friendships.

37. Trypophobia (11 letters)

Meaning: Fear of clusters of small holes.
Examples:

• Trypophobia made her uncomfortable looking at honeycombs.
• He avoided certain patterns due to his trypophobia.

38. Monophobia (10 letters)

Meaning: Fear of being alone.
Examples:

• Monophobia made her seek constant company.
• His monophobia led him to avoid solo travel.

39. Necrophobia (10 letters)

Meaning: Fear of death or dead things.
Examples:

• Her necrophobia made attending funerals very distressing.
• Necrophobia can stem from traumatic childhood experiences.

40. Aerophobia (10 letters)

Meaning: Fear of flying.
Examples:

• Aerophobia kept him from visiting overseas family members.
• She took therapy to overcome her aerophobia before her first flight.

Legal and Administrative Terms

41. Intergovernmental (17 letters)

Meaning: Sharing control between multiple governments.
Examples:

• The climate agreement required intergovernmental policies among nations.
• Intergovernmental play a key role in managing international trade agreements.

42. Unconstitutionality (19 letters)

Meaning: The state does not follow the constitution.
Examples:

• The court ruled the new law’s unconstitutionality due to its violation of basic rights.
• Activists highlighted the unconstitutionality of the proposed amendments.

43. Indemnification (15 letters)

Meaning: Protection against loss or damage.
Examples:

• The insurance policy included indemnification for property damage.
• Indemnification clauses are often part of high-stakes business contracts.

44. Misappropriation (16 letters)

Meaning: Using something wrongly or dishonestly.
Examples:

• The employee was fired for misappropriation of company funds.
• The misappropriation of resources led to a public outcry against the officials.

45. Extraterritoriality (19 letters)

Meaning: Freedom from local law in foreign lands.
Examples:

• The embassy staff enjoyed extraterritoriality while stationed abroad.
• Extraterritoriality can lead to diplomatic disputes in certain cases.

46. Nonproliferation (16 letters)

Meaning: Stopping something from spreading.
Examples:

• Nonproliferation treaties aim to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
• Efforts at nonproliferation were supported by several international bodies.

47. Administratively (16 letters)

Meaning: Related to management tasks.
Examples:

• The report was reviewed administratively before submission.
• She was responsible for handling the project administratively.

48. Jurisprudential (15 letters)

Meaning: Related to the study of law.
Examples:

• His research focused on the jurisprudential implications of new legal theories.
• The book provides a jurisprudential analysis of constitutional law.

49. Authorization (13 letters)

Meaning: Official permission given.
Examples:

• The manager gave authorization for the project to proceed.
• Accessing restricted areas requires proper authorization.

50. Subordination (13 letters)

Meaning: Placing in a lower rank.
Examples:

• The company emphasized teamwork over the subordination of employees.
• Subordination of personal interests is necessary for a successful group effort.

51. Proprietorship (14 letters)

Meaning: Ownership of a business.
Examples:

• He established his business under sole proprietorship.
• The proprietorship allowed him to have complete control over decisions.

52. Adjudication (12 letters)

Meaning: Making an official decision.
Examples:

• The case went to adjudication to resolve the dispute.
• Adjudication by the panel helped settle the complex legal matter.

53. Incorporation (13 letters)

Meaning: Forming a legal company.
Examples:

• The team finalized the incorporation of their startup.
• Incorporation offers tax advantages to businesses.

54. Ratification (12 letters)

Meaning: Making something officially valid.
Examples:

• The treaty required ratification by all member states.
• Ratification of the contract ensured its enforceability.

55. Jurisdiction (12 letters)

Meaning: Legal power or authority.
Examples:

• The case fell under the jurisdiction of the local court.
• Federal jurisdiction was invoked due to the cross-state nature of the crime.

56. Arbitration (11 letters)

Meaning: Settling disputes outside court.
Examples:

• The two companies agreed to resolve their differences through arbitration.
• Arbitration is often faster and less expensive than court proceedings.

57. Legislation (11 letters)

Meaning: The making of laws.
Examples:

• The government passed new legislation to address climate change.
• Legislation protecting consumer rights was introduced in parliament.

58. Attestation (11 letters)

Meaning: Proving something is true.
Examples:

• The lawyer requested an official attestation of the document.
• His signature served as an attestation to the agreement’s authenticity.

59. Prosecution (11 letters)

Meaning: Taking legal action.
Examples:

• The prosecution presented strong evidence in court.
• Fear of prosecution deterred individuals from committing fraud.

60. Compliance (10 letters)

Meaning: Following rules and laws.
Examples:

• The company ensured compliance with industry regulations.
• Regular audits ensure compliance with safety standards.

Playful or Humorous Words

61. Absquatulate (12 letters)

Meaning: To leave quickly or suddenly.
Examples:

• The thief tried to absquatulate before the police arrived.
• When the conversation turned awkward, she decided to absquatulate.

62. Brouhaha (8 letters)

Meaning: A noisy and overexcited response.
Examples:

• The announcement caused quite a brouhaha in the office.
• There was a brouhaha in the crowd after the controversial decision.

63. Cattywampus (11 letters)

Meaning: Something positioned diagonally or askew.
Examples:

• The picture on the wall was hung all cattywampus.
• After the earthquake, the furniture was left cattywampus.

64. Discombobulate (13 letters)

Meaning: To confuse or upset someone.
Examples:

• The complicated instructions seemed to discombobulate everyone.
• The sudden change in plans will discombobulate the team.

65. Flibbertigibbet (14 letters)

Meaning: A chatty, gossipy person.
Examples:

• She’s such a flibbertigibbet, always talking about everyone.
• The flibbertigibbet in the group couldn’t keep the secret.

66. Lollygagging (11 letters)

Meaning: Spending time doing nothing.
Examples:

• Stop lollygagging and finish your homework!
• They spent the afternoon lollygagging by the lake.

67. Kerfuffle (9 letters)

Meaning: A small problem or fuss.
Examples:

• There was a minor kerfuffle over seating arrangements at the event.
• The new policy caused quite a kerfuffle among the employees.

68. Skedaddle (9 letters)

Meaning: To run away quickly.
Examples:

• The kids decided to skedaddle when they saw the teacher coming.
• Let’s skedaddle before the storm gets worse.

69. Widdershins (11 letters)

Meaning: Moving in the opposite direction.
Examples:

• The dancer spun widdershins instead of clockwise.
• Superstitions warn against walking widdershins around a church.

70. Hornswoggle (11 letters)

Meaning: To trick or deceive someone.
Examples:

• He tried to hornswoggle me into buying a fake product.
• The salesman’s smooth talk could easily hornswoggle the unsuspecting.

71. Bumfuzzle (9 letters)

Meaning: To confuse or perplex.
Examples:

• The complicated math problem completely bumfuzzled her.
• The unexpected turn of events seemed to bumfuzzle everyone.

72. Taradiddle (10 letters)

Meaning: A small lie or pretend story.
Examples:

• His story about winning the lottery was just a taradiddle.
• She told a little taradiddle about why she was late.

73. Spiflicated (11 letters)

Meaning: Being drunk or confused.
Examples:

• After a few drinks, he was completely spiflicated.
• The new system had everyone spiflicated during the training.

74. Whippersnapper (13 letters)

Meaning: A young, overconfident person.
Examples:

• The old man called the arrogant youth a whippersnapper.
• That whippersnapper thinks he knows everything about life.

75. Mumpsimus (9 letters)

Meaning: Someone who sticks to old ways.
Examples:

• He’s such a mumpsimus, refusing to update his old methods.
• The mumpsimus in him wouldn’t allow for modern improvements.

76. Nincompoop (10 letters)

Meaning: A silly or foolish person.
Examples:

• Don’t act like a nincompoop in front of the guests.
• His careless mistake made him look like a nincompoop.

77. Scalawag (8 letters)

Meaning: A mischievous person.
Examples:

• The little scalawag stole cookies from the jar again.
• He’s a lovable scalawag, always up to harmless pranks.

78. Shenanigan (10 letters)

Meaning: A silly or high-spirited act.
Examples:

• The kids were up to their usual shenanigans in the backyard.
• His shenanigans during the meeting annoyed the manager.

79. Rigmarole (9 letters)

Meaning: A long, confusing process.
Examples:

• Applying for a visa is often a tedious rigmarole.
• She went through the rigmarole of filling out endless forms.

80. Hogwash (7 letters)

Meaning: Nonsense or foolish talk.
Examples:

• That theory is pure hogwash with no scientific backing.
• He dismissed the rumors as complete hogwash.

Everyday Words that are Surprisingly Long

81. Responsibility (14 letters)

Meaning: The duty to take care of something or someone.
Examples:

• It’s your responsibility to complete the project on time.
• Parents have a responsibility to guide their children.

82. International (13 letters)

Meaning: Between or among different nations.
Examples:

• The international conference brought together experts from all over the world.
• She dreams of working for an international organization.

83. Understanding (13 letters)

Meaning: Knowing and grasping the meaning.
Examples:

• His understanding of the topic helped him explain it well.
• A good teacher promotes mutual understanding in the classroom.

84. Professional (12 letters)

Meaning: Related to a job or career.
Examples:

• She is a highly professional lawyer with years of experience.
• His professional attitude earned him respect at work.

85. Relationship (12 letters)

Meaning: A connection between people.
Examples:

• Building a strong relationship with clients is crucial in business.
• Their relationship has grown stronger over the years.

86. Environment (11 letters)

Meaning: The world around us.
Examples:

• We must take care of the environment to protect future generations.
• The factory adopted measures to reduce its impact on the environment.

87. Information (11 letters)

Meaning: Facts or details about something.
Examples:

• The website provides useful information about local events.
• Accurate information is key to making good decisions.

88. Development (11 letters)

Meaning: The process of growing or changing.
Examples:

• The development of new technology has transformed industries.
• Early childhood development is crucial for long-term success.

89. Technology (10 letters)

Meaning: Tools and machines we use.
Examples:

• Modern technology makes life easier in countless ways.
• The company invests in cutting-edge technology to stay competitive.

90. Experience (10 letters)

Meaning: Knowledge gained by doing things.
Examples:

• She has years of experience in the field of education.
• Traveling provides invaluable experience and learning.

91. Management (10 letters)

Meaning: The act of running or controlling.
Examples:

• Effective management is essential for a successful business.
• He studied management to improve his leadership skills.

92. Discussion (10 letters)

Meaning: A talk about something.
Examples:

• The team had a lengthy discussion about the project goals.
• Open discussion can lead to a better understanding and better solutions.

93. Education (9 letters)

Meaning: The process of learning.
Examples:

• Quality education is a fundamental right for every child.
• She pursued higher education to advance her career.

94. Different (9 letters)

Meaning: Not the same as others.
Examples:

• Everyone has a different perspective on the issue.
• This recipe uses a different method than the usual one.

95. Community (9 letters)

Meaning: A group of people living together.
Examples:

• The community came together to clean the park.
• He enjoys participating in community activities.

96. Important (9 letters)

Meaning: Having great meaning or worth.
Examples:

• Family is the most important thing in life.
• It’s important to stay hydrated during hot weather.

97. Knowledge (9 letters)

Meaning: Things you know or learn.
Examples:

• Gaining knowledge is a lifelong process.
• His vast knowledge of history made the lecture fascinating.

98. Building (8 letters)

Meaning: A structure with walls and roof.
Examples:

• The city constructed a new building for its library.
• The historic building is now a popular tourist attraction.

99. Computer (8 letters)

Meaning: An electronic device for work.
Examples:

• She uses a computer for graphic design projects.
• The school upgraded all its computers to improve digital learning.

100. Business (8 letters)

Meaning: Work of buying and selling.
Examples:

• He started a small business selling handmade crafts.
• The business expanded to multiple cities within a year.

101. Motivation (10 letters)

Meaning: The reason or drive to do something.
Examples:

• Her speech provided the motivation we needed to finish the project.
• Personal goals often serve as a strong source of motivation.

Conclusion

We have shared these 101 words to show you how interesting the English language can be. Each word tells its own story,  coming from science to everyday use.

They help you understand how English builds complex ideas using smaller parts. Plus, they’re great conversation starters!

Want to learn more?

Try using one of these words in your next conversation. Or better yet, share your favorite long word in the comments below.

We’d love to hear which one you find most interesting!