10 English Words You Didn’t Know

By you, I’m actually referring to me. Now you might be thinking, this guy thinks he’s a writer and doesn’t know these English words?!

Don’t judge—these are my excuses:

• I grew up in a bilingual household. Granted, I hardly speak Marathi and/or butcher it beyond recognition, but the point is that as a child, my English vocabulary was limited. Rather than make up for lost time as an adolescent, I watched baseball and slept in.
• Prior to starting this writing journey, I studied medicine for 23 years. That’s not a great way to improve vocabulary (aside from four-letter words).
• I was born in the US.

 

Anyway, here’s the lesson. The definitions are courtesy Merriam-Webster, and to avoid overwhelming you (me), only one possible use is provided for each word.

 

Alacrity

Definition: Cheerful readiness

Example: I accepted my neighbor’s invitation to happy hour with an alacrity that I typically reserve for, well, happy hour.

 

Diaphanous

Definition: Having a fineness of texture as to permit seeing through

Example: He had a habit of wearing old T-shirts that had become diaphanous—let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty sight.

 

Exculpate

Definition: To clear from alleged fault or guilt

Example: He often sought to exculpate himself from the charge of having passed gas, but his family knew the truth.

 

Insouciance

Definition: Lighthearted unconcern or nonchalance

Example: The American writer tossed around words with an insouciance that pissed off the British dude.

 

Laggard

Definition: Slow, especially when compared to others of the same kind

Example: The American writer absorbed new vocabulary at a laggard pace.

 

Miasma

Definition: A heavy vaporous emanation or atmosphere

Example: It’s amazing that the sports bar I used to think was fun was actually sporting a miasma of stale alcohol and urine.

 

Pellucid

Definition: Easy to understand

Example: The American writer—thanks to a limited vocabulary—was known for his pellucid style.

 

Supercilious

Definition: Coolly and patronizingly haughty

Example: The supercilious British dude rolled his eyes at the American, prompting the American to remind him that the British economy was falling apart. 

 

Upbraid

Definition: To criticize severely

Example: As she upbraided me for my domestic inutility, I reminded her that I had made $0.03 on my latest blog post.

 

Vituperate

Definition: To abuse or censure severely

Example: As she vituperated me for my domestic inutility, I reminded her that I had made $0.02 on my latest blog post.

 

Lmk if U luv or H8 these English words.