Here are some of the most beautiful words in English.

Which are your favourites? Why? Practice saying them out loud using the Clear Alphabet phonemic spellings. What makes them beautiful words compared to ordinary words? Try to use each word in a sentence. Do you know any more beautiful words in English? Share them with us in the comments below – or on Facebook or Twitter.

1. aquiver  (adverb / Old English)    uh KWI v    trembling

When I saw my new boyfriend in the crowd I was all aquiver.

2. disassemble  (verb / French)    di s SEM bl     dismantle

It took me an hour to disassemble that bookcase.

3. ephemeral  (adjective / Greek)    i FE m rl    transient

Romantic love can be somewhat ephemeral.

4. gossamer  (adjective / Old English)    GO s m    delicate

The butterfly spread its gossamer wings and disappeared.

5. halcyon  (adjective / Latin)    HAL syn    carefree

I remember the halcyon days of my childhood! Great times!

6. idyllic  (adjective / French)    i DI lik    peaceful

The hotel is located in a hundred acres of idyllic parkland.

7. incandescent  (adjective / French)    in can DE snt    full of emotion

Daniel was incandescent with rage when he was fired.

8. ineffable  (adjective / Latin)    i NE f bl    inexpressible

He got ineffable joy from playing football with his son.

9. lissome  (adjective / Old English)    LI sm    lithe

Their arms were lissome from years spent picking potatoes.

10. lullaby  (noun / Middle English)    LU l bai    children’s song

To help my daughter fall asleep I sing her lullabies.

11. luminescence  (noun / Latin)    loo mi NE sns    light

The soft luminescence from her mobile caused Ola to wake.

12. mellifluous  (adjective / Latin)    me LI fl ws    soothing (sound)

I could listen to my grandmama’s mellifluous voice all day.

13. panacea  (noun / Latin)    pa n SIY    general remedy

Joanna said that the government’s latest policy was not a panacea.

14. serendipitous  (adjective / Arabic)    se rn DI pi ts    lucky

You finding my keys on the bar was rather serendipitous.

15. silhouette  (noun / French)    si l WET    outline

The silhouette of the trees against the sunset sky was rather striking.

 

Word origins: https://etymonline.com; image: Ralf Kunze from Pixabay