It's easy to sound smart by dropping intelligent sounding words into casual conversations. You just have to make sure that you don't use them incorrectly, or you could end up embarrassing yourself. But don't worry--it shouldn't take you long to get the hang of using the following intelligent sounding words. Try them all out today, and you'll be a pro by tomorrow.
1. Proclivity
Proclivity means that one has a "tendency to do something regularly." It's one of the intelligent sounding words that you can throw into conversations often, because you can use it to describe your friend with a proclivity for drama or your sister with a proclivity for music.
2. Quintessential
Quintessential represents the 'perfect example' of something. For instance, you can say that your boyfriend is the quintessential athlete, because he's so talented, fit and works hard to achieve.
3. Seldom
People seldom use the word 'seldom.' It means the same thing as 'rarely' or 'infrequently,' which you probably use often in everyday life. It should be easy to slip 'seldom' into one of your conversations today, so give it a try.
4. Exorbitant
Exorbitant means 'unreasonably high.' With the rising prices recently, it shouldn't be difficult to use this word in a sentence. Tell your friends that the gas prices are exorbitant, and they'll know exactly what you mean.
5. Transpired
Instead of saying that something happened, say that it 'transpired.' It's a simple change of words that will make you sound more intelligent. So the next time you have a conversation with your crush, be sure to tell your friends what transpired between you two.
6. Ornery
Ornery means bad-tempered and grouchy. If your siblings are annoying you one day, and they won't stop getting angry at you, tell them that they're being ornery.
7. Toilsome
If something takes a lot of hard work to complete, then it is toilsome. So instead of saying that your homework or job is difficult, say that it is toilsome. The word itself sounds rough and tough, so even people that haven't heard the word before will understand what you mean.
8. Comeuppance
Comeuppance means "a punishment that someone deserves." It's almost the same idea as karma. If someone cheats on you, and then gets their heart broken by someone else, it's their comeuppance for hurting you.
9. Eclectic
Eclectic means "deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources." If you like the Backstreet Boys as much as you like Eminem, then your music taste is eclectic.
10. Dalliance
A dalliance is a "casual romantic or sexual relationship that is brief and not serious." If you're ever in one of these situations, it's best to describe your partner as a dalliance, because it sounds fancy. People might not even know what you're talking about, so you'll have the upper hand.
11. Coerce
Coerce means to "persuade someone by using force or threats." While you should never coerce someone into doing something they don't want to do, you can use the word in conversation by saying: "Don't make me coerce you into finishing your homework."
Once you get used to these words, you won't add them into conversations awkwardly. They'll flow right out of your mouth without you even thinking about them. What's your favorite word in the English language?
Sources: merriam-webster.com
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why would anyone want to use intelligent-sounding words in a conversation?
- Oh, why not? It's like spicing up your chat with a bit of flair! Everyone loves to sound smart once in a while, and using a few fancy words can totally impress or just bring a fun twist.
- Won’t using big or smart words make me sound pretentious?
- I get where you're coming from, but no worries! The key is to use them naturally and in the right way. Slip them into your conversations subtly, and it'll sound like they belong there.
- Are there any funny intelligent words that won’t make me sound too serious?
- Absolutely! Some words have that perfect mix of being smart yet quirky. They keep the conversation light-hearted, and you'll get a smile or a chuckle, I promise!
- How can I remember to use these intelligent words when I'm chatting with friends?
- Great question! Maybe you could try writing them down or make them a part of your daily thoughts. Soon enough, they'll naturally pop up in your convos like a reflex!
- Will using these words actually help me improve my vocabulary?
- For sure! It's a fun way to learn and practice new words. You'll notice your vocabulary growing without even trying too hard. And hey, your friends might pick up a few words too!