The Top 10s for Various Favourite-Word Categories
Table of Contents
- Favourite-Word Lists by Category
- (1) Most Beautiful Words
- (2) Most Powerful Words
- (3) Philosophical or Spiritual Words
- (4) Linguistically Interesting Words
- (5) Words in Popular Culture
- (6) Words in Literature or Poetry
- (7) Words in Science and Technology
- (8) Words with Cultural or National Significance
- (9) Most Commonly Used Words
- (10) Words with Personal Significance
- Test Time!
- Learn with Hangman!
Favourite-Word Lists by Category
Here are ten categories under which a word could be considered a favourite. These categories are ordered from the most common favourite-word context to the least common context.(1) Most Beautiful Words
These are words loved for aesthetic appeal (a mix of how they sound and their meaning). They are currently listed in alphabetical order so any voting is not influenced.posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | aurora | An aurora is a natural light display in the Earth's sky caused by the collision of solar wind and magnetospheric charged particles with the high altitude atmosphere. |
2 | ephemeral | Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time. It is similar to fleeting or transient. |
3 | epiphany | An epiphany is a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization. |
4 | ethereal | Ethereal means delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world. It is similar to heavenly or celestial |
5 | idyllic | Idyllic is the adjective of idyll. It means extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque. |
6 | iridescent | Iridescent means displaying luminous colours that seem to change when seen from different angles. |
7 | luminescence | Luminescence is the emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat. It can occur through chemical reactions, electricity, or stress. |
8 | luminous | Luminous meanings emitting or reflecting light. It is similar to glowing or shining. |
9 | serendipity | Serendipity is the discovery of something good that was not sought but found nonetheless. It is like a pleasant surprise. |
10 | solitude | Solitude is the state of being alone. Often it refers to a solitary environment where peace or introspection is discovered. |
(2) Most Powerful Words
These are words that evoke strong emotions or have significant meanings. They are listed in alphabetical order. Vote for your favourite.posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | compassion | Compassion is the awareness of another's suffering and the desire to alleviate it. |
2 | cuddle | A cuddle is close and affectionate embrace to comfort or express affection. |
3 | faith | Faith is total trust or confidence in someone or something. In a religious context, it means a belief based on spiritual conviction rather than proof. |
4 | freedom | Freedom means not being imprisoned or enslaved. It is also the right to act and speak without restraint. |
5 | harmony | Harmony is a state or system with balance, unity, and coherence among its discrete elements. |
6 | home | Home is the place where someone lives permanently, especially as a family member. It conveys a a sense of personal sanctuary and belonging. |
7 | hope | Hope is an optimistic mindset. It is the expectation of a positive outcome. |
8 | love | Love is an intense feeling of deep affection towards someone or something. It also refers to a great interest and pleasure in something. |
9 | lullaby | A lullaby is a soothing song sung to calm or send a child to sleep. |
10 | peace | Peace means freedom from disturbance or tranquillity. In a broader sense, it refers being free from war or violence. |
(3) Philosophical or Spiritual Words
Loved for inspiring reflection and a quest for deeper understanding, these words capture profound concepts about the nature of existence and the human experience. They are listed in alphabetical order. Vote for your favourite.posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | chakra | In Indian thought, chakras are the centres of spiritual power in the human body, usually considered to be seven in number. |
2 | dharma | In Indian religions, dharma is the eternal and inherent nature of reality (a cosmic law underlying right behaviour and social order). |
3 | enlightenment | In spiritual contexts, enlightenment refers to an awakening to a profound understanding of life and the universe. |
4 | equanimity | Equanimity is a mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. |
5 | existentialism | Existentialism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. |
6 | karma | In Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is the concept that a person's actions in this and previous states of existence determine their fate in future existences. |
7 | nirvana | In Buddhism, nirvana is a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self. |
8 | satori | In Zen Buddhism, satori is a sudden moment of awakening or enlightenment where one experiences the true nature of existence. |
9 | tao | In Chinese religions, tao is the essential, unifying principle of the universe. Encapsulating yin and yang, it represents the natural order of things, the flow of the cosmos, or the universal force that underlies everything. |
10 | zen | Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes the value of meditation and intuition rather than ritual worship or study of scriptures. |
(4) Linguistically Interesting Words
These are words that are loved for their length, novelty, or complexity. They are listed in alphabetical order. Vote for your favourite.posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | abstemious | Abstemious means showing moderation or self-discipline, especially with food or alcohol. (It has all 5 vowels in order.) |
2 | antidisestablishment -arianism | Antidisestablishmentarianism refers to a 19th-century political position that opposed separating the Church of England from the state. |
3 | facetious | Facetious means playfully, often inappropriately, funny. (It has all 5 vowels in order.) |
4 | Iouea | Iouea is a genus of sea sponge. (It comprises only vowels. As a proper noun, it starts with a capital letter.) |
5 | onomatopoeia | Onomatopoeia is a term to describe words that imitate or evoke the sound of what they represent (e.g., "buzz," "sizzle"). |
6 | logosglyph | A logosglyph is a word that looks like what it means (e.g., "eyes" look like eyes, and "bed" looks like a bed). |
7 | spryly | Spryly means nimble, i.e., moving with speed and ease. (It comprises only consonants.) |
8 | sylphy | Sylphy means gracefully slender and fairy-like. (It comprises only consonants.) |
9 | syzygy | Syzygy is an astronomical term for the alignment of three celestial bodies in a straight line, commonly used for the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon. (It comprises only consonants.) |
10 | tmesis | Tmesis is the insertion of a word (usually an expletive) within another word (e.g., "abso-bl**dy-lutely,") |
(5) Words in Popular Culture
These are words that have become famous or trendy due to their use in movies, TV shows, songs, or internet culture. They are listed in alphabetical order. Vote for your favourite.posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | bazinga | First used in the X files, "Bazinga!" is a catchphrase popularized by Sheldon Cooper in "The Big Bang Theory". It is an exclamation of success. |
2 | cowabunga | "Cowabunga!" was popularized by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It is an express of delight or satisfaction. |
3 | d'oh | D'oh is an exclamation popularized by Homer Simpson in "The Simpsons". It is used to acknowledge a stupid action, especially your own. |
4 | facepalm | Widely used on the internet, a facepalm (🤦) is a gesture indicating frustration or embarrassment. |
5 | FOMO | The acronym FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) was popularized through social media and internet culture. |
6 | Jedi | The Jedis are a central order in the "Star Wars" universe. They are associated with wisdom and special powers. |
7 | muggle | In the "Harry Potter" universe, a muggle is a person who lacks magical ability. |
8 | quidditch | In the "Harry Potter" universe, quidditch is a sport played in the "Harry Potter" series. |
9 | supercalifragilistic -expialidocious | Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is a meaningless word made popular by Disney's character "Mary Poppins," who suggests it describes something fantastic or extraordinary. |
10 | zombie | A zombie was originally a mythical undead being from Haitian folklore. It is now a staple in popular culture representing mindless "corpses." |
(6) Words in Literature or Poetry
Words that are famous for their use by, or reference to, classic writers and poets. They are listed in alphabetical order. Vote for your favourite.posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | Dantesque | Dantesque refers to hellish or infernal aspects. It comes from Dante Alighieri or his writings, especially the "Divine Comedy." |
2 | Dickensian | Dickensian refers to environments and situations depicted in the novels of Charles Dickens, especially those reflecting societal injustices. |
3 | Draconian | Draconian means excessively harsh and severe. It originates from the legal code of Draco in ancient Athens. |
4 | Homeric | Homeric means epic in scale or character, like the works of Homer ("The Iliad" and "The Odyssey"). |
5 | Kafkaesque | Kafkaesque means marked by a senseless, disorienting complexity, akin to the works of Franz Kafka. |
6 | Lilliputian | Lilliputian means extremely small. It is from Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels." |
7 | Machiavellian | Machiavellian means cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics, akin to the tactics in Machiavelli's "The Prince." |
8 | Orwellian | Orwellian refers to the oppressive and totalitarian characteristics depicted in George Orwell's works, especially "1984." |
9 | Puckish | Puckish means mischievous. It derives from the character Puck in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." |
10 | Quixotic | Quixotic means idealistic and unrealistic, originating from Cervantes' "Don Quixote." |
(7) Words in Science and Technology
These words are loved for their association with the frontiers of knowledge. They are listed in alphabetical order. Vote for your favourite.posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | algorithm | An algorithm is a set of rules followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, particularly by a computer. |
2 | entropy | A key concept in thermodynamics, entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system. |
3 | ether | Often used in the context of the "ethernet" to describe a network technology, the ether is literally the upper regions of air beyond the clouds. |
4 | hologram | A hologram is a three-dimensional image formed by the interference of light beams from a laser or other coherent light source. |
5 | nanobot | A nanobot is a tiny robot designed at the nanoscale, often used in science-fiction and future-technology discussions. |
6 | pixel | A pixel is tiny area of illumination on a display screen. They are the building blocks of digital images. |
7 | quantum | The term quantum refers to the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction. |
8 | sapphire | When describing screens and other electrical components, sapphire means highly durable. |
9 | vortex | A vortex is a swirling mass of fluid or air. The image of one is often used to symbolize dynamic activity or energy. |
10 | zenith | A zenith is a peak or the highest point. In technology, it implies the pinnacle of achievement or development. |
(8) Words with Cultural or National Significance
These are words loved for their unique meanings in different nations or cultures. They are listed in alphabetical order. Vote for your favourite.posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | gigil | In the Philippines (Tagalog language), gigil is the irresistible urge to squeeze someone because you love them or find them adorable. |
2 | hiraeth | In Welsh, hiraeth is a homesickness for a home to which you cannot return, perhaps a home that never was. |
3 | hygge | In Danish, hygge is a feeling of contentment through enjoying the simple things in life. |
4 | ikigai | In Japanese, ikigai is the reason for being (the thing that gets you up in the morning). |
5 | mamihlapinatapai | In Tierra del Fuego, mamihlapinatapai is a look between two people, each wishing the other would initiate something they both desire. |
6 | meraki | In Greek, meraki is doing something with soul, creativity, or love. |
7 | malavogue | In Irish, malavogue means "to beat." It is typically used by parents in threats to their children. |
8 | sobremesa | In Spanish, sobremesa is the time spent after lunch or dinner, talking to those people you dined with. |
9 | tartle | In Scottish, a tartle is the hesitation while introducing someone because you've forgotten their name. |
10 | ubuntu | Ubuntu is a term from Zulu and Xhosa (southern Africa). Often translated as "I am because we are," ubuntu means "humanity," emphasizing community, compassion, and the interconnectedness of all people. |
(9) Most Commonly Used Words
These are the most frequently used words in English. I'm not expecting many of these to make the WPL. These words are listed from most common to least common. (You cannot vote for these words. Their order is not subjective.)posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | the | "The" is the definite article. |
2 | be | To be is the most common verb in English. |
3 | to | "To" is a preposition or the sign of an infinitive verb. |
4 | of | Of is a preposition. |
5 | and | "And" is a coordinating conjunction. |
6 | a | "A" (and "An") is the indefinite article. |
7 | in | "In" is a preposition commonly used with times and places. |
8 | that | "That" can be used as a conjunction, a demonstrative pronoun, a demonstrative determiner, a relative pronoun , and even an adverb.
|
9 | have | To have is the second most common verb in English. |
10 | I | "I" is the most common personal pronoun in English. |
(10) Words with Personal Significance
This list deserves a heading, but it cannot include any words because they are personalized to every individual.Words That Overlap Categories
None of the words in these lists is repeated (i.e., no word appears in two lists). However, several words could have. For example:- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious could have appeared in "Linguistically Interesting Words" for its complexity as well as "Words in Popular Culture."
- Sylphy could have appeared in "Most Beautiful Words" for its sound and meaning as well as "Linguistically Interesting Words."
- Cuddle could have appeared in "Most Beautiful Words" for its sound and meaning as well as "Most Powerful Words."
Popularity of Words
The popularity of a word is an interesting aspect when considering a favourite word. A word must be popular enough to be known, yet not so popular as to be boring. You don't want your favourite word to be the same as everyone else's, do you? Where's the fun in that?There are some brilliant words that have not made these lists, simply because they are still relatively unknown. I think the following four words are worthy of special mention:
posn | word | comment |
---|---|---|
1 | mellifluous | Mellifluous combines mel ("honey") and fluere ("to flow"). It describes sweet, smoothly flowing music or sound (e.g., the mellifluous waltz "The Blue Danube") |
2 | incandescent | Literally, incandescent means emitting light as a result of being heated. Figuratively, it describes someone displaying intense emotion or brilliance (e.g., incandescent with rage). |
3 | sonorous | Sonorous refers to a sound that is deep and resonant. It often describes a voice that is full, powerful, and pleasant (e.g., perfectly complemented his sonorous voice). |
4 | kerfuffle | Kerfuffle is a fun word that means minor commotion, argument, or fuss. |
Learn with Hangman!
Hangman is a classic word game. In this version, the hidden word is an irregular verb from this list. (Choose your first letter to start.)- Guess the hidden word by choosing one letter at a time.
- If you guess a letter in the hidden adjective, then all is good.
- If you guess a letter that is not in the hidden adjective, then the hangman starts to build the gallows.
- If the gallows are completed, you lose.
- Good luck!
Create Your Own Version of This Game
Here is the word library for this game:
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