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.
Pronounce the Most Beautiful Words in English
- aquiver (adverb / Old English) uh KWI v trembling
When I saw my new boyfriend in the crowd I was all aquiver.
- disassemble (verb / French) di s SEM bl dismantle
It took me an hour to disassemble that bookcase.
- ephemeral (adjective / Greek) i FE m rl transient
Romantic love can be somewhat ephemeral.
- gossamer (adjective / Old English) GO s m delicate
The butterfly spread its gossamer wings and disappeared.
- halcyon (adjective / Latin) HAL syn carefree
I remember the halcyon days of my childhood! Great times!
- idyllic (adjective / French) i DI lik peaceful
The hotel is located in a hundred acres of idyllic parkland.
- incandescent (adjective / French) in can DE snt full of emotion
Daniel was incandescent with rage when he was fired.
- ineffable (adjective / Latin) i NE f bl inexpressible
He got ineffable joy from playing football with his son.
- lissome (adjective / Old English) LI sm lithe
Their arms were lissome from years spent picking potatoes.
- lullaby (noun / Middle English) LU l bai children’s song
To help my daughter fall asleep I sing her lullabies.
- luminescence (noun / Latin) loo mi NE sns light
The soft luminescence from her mobile caused Ola to wake.
- mellifluous (adjective / Latin) me LI fl ws soothing (sound)
I could listen to my grandmama’s mellifluous voice all day.
- panacea (noun / Latin) pa n SIY general remedy
Joanna said that the government’s latest policy was not a panacea.
- serendipitous (adjective / Arabic) se rn DI pi ts lucky
You finding my keys on the bar was rather serendipitous.
- 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
