Top 20 Rare Words Everyone Should Know

Everyone likes to learn new words to look smarter and say contemptuously to their friends “ah but you don’t know that word? Wait, let me explain to you”. As reading the dictionary is not a very fun activity, we have listed the most useful rare words listed by @LesMotsRares on Twitter. It’s still easier than going back to college.

1. Abstem

Absteme: who never drinks a drop of alcohol.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) May 3, 2021

2. Ataraxia

Ataraxia: nf Absolute tranquility of the soul, ideal of the sage.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 10, 2022

3. Oblativity

Oblativity: nf Altruistic behavior in which the subject seeks to satisfy his neighbor without asking for compensation.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) August 29, 2022

4. Kakistocracy

Kakistocracy: nf Government by the worst people, or by people considered particularly mediocre.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) August 23, 2022

5. Infundibuliform

Infundibuliform: adj. which is shaped like a funnel.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 23, 2022

6. Petrichor

Petrichor: nm Particular smell, usually pleasant, that takes on the earth after the rain.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) August 26, 2021

7. Issir

Issir: verb meaning “to go out”. Is only used in the past participle: to be from.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) August 12, 2022

8. Compensatory

Compendious: adj. Which is brief, concise, yet comprehensive.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) September 7, 2022

9. Anticipate

Antiponner: making frivolous, unnecessary or intrusive speeches. “He is only antiponing it, instead of coming to the point”

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) August 20, 2022

10. Ultracrepidarianism

Ultracrepidarianism or ultracrepidarianism depending on the source, is the behavior of giving one’s opinion on subjects on which one does not have credible or demonstrated competence.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) September 29, 2022

11. Cautious

Cautious: adj. Who manifests defiance and cunning; hypocritical.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 21, 2022

12. Atavism

Atavism: nm Unexpected appearance, in an individual, of one or more characteristics which had appeared in one of his ancestors and which had disappeared for one or more generations.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 21, 2022

13. Asyndetus

Asyndète: nf Figure of speech consisting of removing coordinating conjunctions or logical links to give rhythm to the sentence. Ex: good foot good eye.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 22, 2022

14. Primal Jumper

Primesautier: Who decides, acts according to his first movement, his impulses: a primesautier teenager.
Who is lively, alert, full of spontaneity: impulsive mood.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 23, 2022

15. Ruderal

Ruderal: adj. Said of a plant species (nettle for example) growing on rubble, near houses.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 17, 2022

16. Labile

Labile: adj. Which is fragile, unstable.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 19, 2022

17. Love

Dilection: nf Pure and spiritual love.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 25, 2022

18. Hiemal

Hiemal: adj. Of winter. A winter sleep.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 20, 2022

19. Fesse Mathieu

Buttock-mathieu: nm Stingy, stingy person.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 6, 2022

20. Tavele

Tavelé: adj. Marked with small spots.

— Rare words (@LesMotsRares) October 4, 2022

Now that you know lots of new words, you will also be able to learn the words that don’t exist and that you use every day (just to delete them from your vocabulary).